How I Wasted All My Time & 5 Ways I'm Getting It Back

What would you do if you had an extra hour in the day? Would you take a nice bubble bath, read a book, get something done on your to-do list? How would you spend that time if you suddenly had 25 hours instead of 24 hours in a day?

I think I might sleep in a little longer! I love waking up on my own time, I feel happier not being interrupted by an alarm. What if I told you that you have that extra hour already, but you are just choosing not to use it? We DO have time for things. Things we prioritize make it to the top of your list each day, like checking instagram, facebook, texting back our friends. Those 5 minutes here, 4 minutes there, turn into 1 hour here, 2 hours there! Before you know it, it's your day off to get shit done and you've wasted two hours in bed this morning on facebook!

AH! I am grudgingly guilty of this too.

But not anymore. I'm putting my phone down, and rising my head up. (Watching my back problems float away!) I did some testing with a tracker app to see how much time I was losing and the results shocked me.

I spent on average, EACH DAY 3 hours and 30 minutes on my phone. Checking it to see if I had any notifications, texting/emailing back, scrolling through social media, snap chatting, reading, just picking it up and taking it to another room with me, on average EACH DAY it was taking 3 hours and 30 minutes away from my life..

41 times I pick up my phone a day, 23% of my waking life each day I am on it, add it up for a year and I've wasted roughly 1,277 hours. This is crazy when you put in in prospective. I strongly encourage you to download 'Moment' and put your phone usage in prospective also.

I did not even think I was that bad, because 'I have time for it' because I was prioritizing time for it. I'd literally turn around and complain I had no time to work out anymore, or read my new book, or do laundry! It wasn't at all productive to my life, in fact it was the opposite. Suddenly human contact meant a beep and screen notification, a like meant a 'hey I care about you, Kate.' I started holding grudges against those who weren't wasting their time reading every bit I posted.

What's going on, on social media is not all that is going on in my life, or theirs.

Now I'm taking back control of my life, and nurturing my mind the way it needs. With LESS social media and brainless activity and MORE direct and purposeful actions. I am not saying you have to completely drop social media, for me it is not an option.

Time is money

My business rely's on social media for a few things. So I'm spending my time on it wisely, using it as a tool. Scheduling in 15 minutes a day to interact with others and post a few things. Or while I'm stuck in line at the post office, or sitting in the car wash I'm utilizing that time to scroll through or send texts.

Budget your time wisely, then watch your life transform!

Here's helpful tips and tricks to get back your time starting right now. Don't waste another minute.

1. Turning your phone on air plane mode better yet, turn off notifications, FOR GOOD!

This might be hard to make yourself do, but just do it. The detractions of a notification can drag you down the rabbit hole while your busy with something productive.

To give an example, my dad just called me to remind me I'm taking him to his appointment later, I totally forgot. Once I made it off the phone with him in one short minute, I've completely lost my train of thought on what I was typing. causing me to re-read from the start and start again at the bottom. 5 minutes gone just like that, over a call I could've taken care of after I was finished.

Your friends and family will understand if you don't answer, because they probably don't use their phones while they work or do something important!

2. Saying 'no' more often.

We often say 'yes' to the ones we love, because well we love them! But you need to make sure your spending your time with them wisely. You'll have more fun meeting up with your friend knowing your not missing a dead line because of it. Work smarter- not harder.

3. Blacking out an hour a day

Mark a day in your schedule, or an hour for no reason. You might need that hour or day if you've over scheduled yourself, or something comes up. For me, It's my work days, they are strictly for work only. No appointments, no meetings, just me concentrated on my business.

4. Buy a book

There are so many books out there that are life changing when it comes to your time, money, and management of life. Always strive to learn, so that you can grow and live life happier.

5. A notepad

Or a app on your phone. Just start writing or typing it down. Your grocery list, your to do list, your urgent list, right it all down so you don't forget it. Writing down things that can't be easily done in that minute, can save you time. It clears your brain of that reminder and let's you focus on what your doing that day, until you have the chance to go to the store or make that phone call.

Xoxo

Kate B

#RadicalSelfLove #RSL #Personal