7 Simple Habits That Save Me Time
by Parker · 45 things on NewTwos
- ✓ We are constantly asked for favors and distractions.
- ✓ Only say “yes” if it’s a “Hell yes!”
- ✓ Know how you’ll start each day.
- ✓ Save time by learning from people who have done what you are trying to do.
- ✓ Read books/articles and watch videos to learn what works and what doesn’t
- ✓ This presence helps you stay focused and productive.
- ✓ Catch negative self talk before it consumes you and your time.
- ✓ This is very similar to #2.
- ✓ Release your thoughts so you can be more present and aware throughout the day.
- ✓ We procrastinate on tasks that are easier.
- ✓ We can save time not doing tasks that aren't necessary.
- ✓ When you read a book/article or watch a video, take notes on what you learn
- ✓ Get enough sleep
- ✓ Everyone needs a different amount of sleep to be productive but 7-8 hours is a good target.
- ✓ I used to stay up late trying to fix bugs, but I've found if I go to bed, I’ll wake up with the right solution saving me time and gaining rest.
- ✓ "Sleep is an essential part of life - but more important, sleep is a gift" - William Derment
- Only say "yes" when it is a “hell yes!”
- I try to only say yes to the things I want to do.
- We only have so much time to do the things we want.
- “If I’m not saying ‘Hell Yeah!’ to something, then I say no.” - Derek Sivers
- Plan your day the night before.
- I plan my days the night before using Twos so I can get started right away.
- Start each day with momentum.
- “The beginning of a great day begins the night before.” - Sukant Ratnakar
- Learn from other people's experience
- I love to read biographies to learn from other people’s experiences.
- Don’t need to waste your own time when you can learn from someone else's.
- "Only the foolish learn from experience - the wise learn from the experience of others." - Rolf Hochhuth
- Meditate for 10 minutes each day.
- I meditate every day for 10 minutes to stay present.
- Meditation helps you be more present and mindful throughout the day.
- I recommend Oak for daily meditation.
- “We can’t always change what’s happening around us, but we can change what happens within us.” - Andy Puddicombe
- Write for 10 minutes each day.
- I journal each day in Twos for 10–20 minutes to offload my mind and improve my self-awareness.
- Journaling helps capture the thoughts swirling through your head onto paper.
- "Journaling is paying attention to the inside for the purpose of living well from the inside out." - Lee Wise
- Do tasks in order of importance
- I start my day with the most important task (usually coding).
- If we do the most important item first, the less important items may not be necessary.
- "Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important." - Stephen Covey
- Take notes
- I take notes on any *thing* (thoughts, ideas, articles, books, videos, conversations) to remember them with Twos.
- Having quick access to the lessons you’ve learned saves you time every time you use them.
- "Acquiring the habit of note taking is therefore a wonderfully complementary skill to that of listening." - Richard Branson