Show Notes
- Amazon Books: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003NX75PE?tag=9natree-20
- Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/168-hours-you-have-more-time-than-you-think/id1643347023?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=1001l3bAw&ct=9natree
- eBay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=168+Hours+You+Have+More+Time+Than+You+Think+Laura+Vanderkam+&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5339060787&customid=9natree&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
- Read more: https://mybook.top/read/B003NX75PE/
#TimeManagement #Productivity #WorkLifeBalance #PersonalDevelopment #StrategicScheduling #LifePrioritization #WeeklyPlanning #168Hours
These are takeaways from this book.
Firstly, Audit Your Time, Vanderkam suggests that the first step to better time management is understanding how we currently spend our time. She recommends conducting a time audit for a week, tracking how every hour is spent. This exercise is eye-opening for many, as it reveals significant discrepancies between how we think we use our time and how we actually use it. Time spent on social media, watching TV, or engaging in unproductive activities often goes underreported until monitored. Understanding where time goes is crucial for making informed decisions on reallocating it towards more meaningful activities.
Secondly, Prioritize What Truly Matters, Identifying priorities is at the heart of Vanderkam's philosophy. She argues that time should be allocated first to activities that align with one's personal and professional goals. This means being clear about what is genuinely important in one's life and making those priorities the non-negotiables in your schedule. Vanderkam encourages readers to focus on their core competencies and passions, advocating for a life that reflects one's values and aspirations. The book provides practical advice on how to eliminate or delegate tasks that do not contribute to these identified priorities.
Thirdly, Master the Art of Strategic Scheduling, Vanderkam introduces readers to strategic scheduling, a method that involves planning one's week ahead, ensuring that priorities are allocated time first. She emphasizes the importance of breaking down significant goals into actionable steps and scheduling these steps into one's weekly calendar. This proactive approach helps in making progress on goals consistently over time. She also discusses the benefits of batching similar tasks to increase focus and efficiency and stresses the importance of creating buffers for unexpected tasks and downtime.
Fourthly, Leverage Unconventional Hours, One of the more innovative suggestions Vanderkam offers is to rethink our use of unconventional hours - early mornings, late evenings, and weekends. She provides compelling arguments for using these times for focused work or personal development, often free from distractions and interruptions common during the standard workday. Vanderkam shares stories of successful people who leverage these off-peak hours for creative work, exercise, or pursuing hobbies, showcasing how these hours can significantly contribute to achieving personal and professional goals.
Lastly, The Power of Quality Over Quantity, Vanderkam explores the concept of quality over quantity in the context of time spent with family and friends, engaging in hobbies, and working. She argues that intentional, focused time can be more fulfilling and effective than longer periods spent in a distracted or half-hearted manner. This mindset shift encourages making the most of available time, focusing on creating memorable experiences and productive work sessions, rather than merely clocking hours. This approach can lead to a richer, more satisfying life where time is felt to be ample and well-spent.