As a preface, I will say that my own productivity and time management skills are weaker than I'd like to admit. These tips, strategies, and motivations are as much for me as they are for anyone else. That being said, I'm always thinking about ways to motivate myself, be more productive, etc. Here are some ideas that may be of use to you in your similar efforts:
It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it. Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested. ~ Lucius Seneca
I recently read an article on The Art of Manliness website called "Possibilities in Spare Moments". Several of the points that were made in the article really stuck with me, and those will be the foundation of what I write about. The basic premise was that in each of our days, there are bits and slivers of unused time. The time spent waiting in line for food, or driving to school, or sitting in the doctor's waiting room are all minutes of "dead" time that can be put to use instead of squandered. How much of my life has been spent looking at food in the microwave or sitting in traffic?
Putting all this time to use could lead to saving several precious hours a week, enough to listen to podcasts, read books, or practice some newfound skills or hobby. You could learn a new language or take up woodworking. Anything is possible with an extra couple of hours a week!
People such as Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln always carried a book with them, to read whenever they could glean a free moment. Author Agatha Christie kept a writing pad with her to jot down ideas whenever they struck her.
These are ideas that we could use as well. I keep a notebook beside my bed that I use in various ways: as a journal, a place to write down ideas, to record dreams, to attempt to draw sketches (though it often doesn't turn out quite right), etc. In the past few days, I have been doing chores while listening to podcasts. I've also been listening to AM radio (switching stations often to avoid those meddlesome commercials) instead of enduring the same fifteen songs on FM radio over and over while I'm in the car.
While on a late night bike ride with my cousin the other day, he mentioned that in order to truly change habits or lifestyle, little changes done gradually will often not stick. Sweeping, widespread adjustments are difficult, but they are more effective in bringing about a successful change. Therefore, I would offer that the way to become more productive is to implement a variety of changes and switch up all those old habits. The fight for productivity needs to be bought into completely, and can only be accomplished with a high level of commitment. So download some audio books, ponder lots of worthwhile thoughts, and start the fight to win back your time!
