Forget Time Management, Master Your Self Management

Let’s face it, productivity can often feel like a game of whack-a-mole. Just when you think you’ve got it sorted, something pops up to derail you. But when you get it right, you can truly move the needle in your professional and personal life in a whole new way, giving you more time for the things you love to experience in your life... like spending time with family and pursuing your hobbies.

Some days you feel like a productivity rock star, and other days? Well, you might as well be spinning your wheels in the mud. We all have our unique ways of tackling the endless to-do lists, but here’s something to consider; while we hear a lot about time management, can we really manage time? Not quite. What we can manage is where we focus our energy, welcome to the realm of ‘self’ management.

This week's newsletter is here to help you evaluate how productive and effective you feel in both life and work. I’ll equip you with some tools and concepts to boost your effectiveness so you can kick those busy-day blues to the curb.

I’ve definitely had my fair share of struggles with productivity. At times I can say I was the king of looking busy, lots of calls, endless emails, unnecessary meetings and scrolling through social media like it was a sport. Yet, I noticed I was neglecting the tasks that truly mattered. Through a bit of self-reflection and the guidance of great coaches around me, I discovered that productivity is about focusing on what truly counts, and what you truly love to be doing.

Here are some tips to help you supercharge your productivity ?

Be Intentional with Your Time

Start your day by declaring your top three priorities. It’s like your personal GPS for the day, without it, you might end up lost in a sea of emails or other people's agendas and emergencies, (but really they are not emergencies, they are just showing their impatience).

Embrace the Power of Planning

Spend a few minutes on Sunday mapping out your week ahead. Schedule everything from work tasks to quality time with family and some downtime for yourself. As you know, a well-structured plan is your secret weapon.

Say NO to the Distractions

Identify those pesky things that pull your focus and energy away. Is it your phone? Social media? Create a distraction-free zone that allows you to channel your inner productivity ninja.

Use the 2-Minute Rule

If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it right away. It’s a little productivity hack that keeps your get done list manageable.

You MUST Schedule Pit Stop Breaks

Believe it or not, taking breaks can actually make you more productive. You just need to look at the Pomodoro Technique; do some deep work for 25 minutes, then take a 2-minute break to recharge. Grab a snack, do a quick stretch, or just breathe and then get back to it.

As you reflect on your current productivity, think about these questions ?

What tasks steal most of your time and energy, and are they aligned with your goals?

How often do you find yourself drowning in your to-do list?

What would happen if you created a JOY list?

Meaning set some time a side each week to schedule activities or work projects that will tap you into higher levels of JOY

Getting into your flow state can help guide you well in your career and personal life. When you’re in flow, you feel motivated, focused, and on top of your game.

Many people experience flow without even realising it.

Recognising when you’re in this state can dramatically boost your productivity. For me, flow feels like being ‘in the zone’ and everything just clicks.

Now, let’s talk about courage. Saying NO is a powerful productivity tool. The most effective people I know are the ones who confidently say no to tasks that don’t align with their needle moving projects, their values and what truly matters. Each time you say no to something that doesn’t serve you, you’re saying yes to your mental health, + and your journey toward your goals.

Let’s put this into action. Here are two simple challenges:

Morning Routine

Tomorrow, avoid checking your email or SM for the first 30/60 mins of your day. Instead, use that time to plan your day or tackle your most important task. You might just surprise yourself!

Set a Timer

Every 50-60 minutes, take a short break. Stand up, stretch, or grab a drink! These little breaks can boost your focus by up to 30%. Plus, who doesn’t love a good excuse to get up and move?

We all procrastinate at times, and it’s perfectly normal. But if you want to be more productive, you’ll need to shake off that default behaviour. Procrastination can rob you of clarity and energy, so let’s identify your patterns.

What’s holding you back? Sometimes, just talking about those worries can help clear them away, making it easier to take action. Remember, every time you choose to procrastinate, you’re choosing the easier path… But what if you showed up and did it so much better than you expected?

So go on, grab your to-do/must get done list, and let’s kick some productivity butt!

Just keep your eye on the prize, and maybe save the TV binge-watching for the weekend.

Cheers to making time work for you!