Microbreaks

Often, you might find yourself with a few spare moments between activities. Personally, I experience about two minutes of downtime between sets at the gym. With 15 sets in a day, that adds up to 30 minutes of microbreaks.

While it's unrealistic to dive into a flow state and write a full article in these brief intervals, they can be utilized for small tasks like answering emails. I was astonished by how many of my daily moments were filled with these little breaks. Now, I make the most of this time by engaging with articles or brainstorming ideas for my next piece.

Transportation

I tend to walk everywhere, dedicating around an hour each day to this activity. Whether you take public transport or drive, there's potential to make this time productive.

If you're walking or using public transport, consider the numerous ways to maximize this time. You could listen to an insightful podcast, interact on social media, read a book, or jot down thoughts for your next big project.

Early Morning / Late Night

Scrolling aimlessly before bed and upon waking is a habit many of us share. I'm still occasionally guilty of this. Imagine spending 20 minutes on social media each night and another 20 in the morning. This habit not only disrupts your sleep quality but also sets a negative tone for your day. In total, that’s 40 minutes wasted on fleeting dopamine hits without any real benefit.

Freeing Up Your Time

If you recognize yourself in all three of these scenarios, you could be losing 2 to 3 hours of your day without even realizing it. That’s a staggering 18.75% of your waking hours, assuming an 8-hour sleep cycle. Just think about how much you could achieve with an extra three hours each day.

Take charge of your time!