How I Get 2 Extra Hours Out of Every Day (12)
TL;DR: Recently, I noticed I had been spending more and more time on apps that were major time-sucks. By implementing simple changes to my habits, I'm able to reclaim an estimated 2 hours from every day.
I recently came across this article:
https://constantrenewal.com/buffett-5-25-rule/
It talks about Warren Buffet's 5/25 Rule. The jist of it is that we can only truly focus on so many things at a time, so in order to accomplish major goals, we need to identify our top 5, and avoid touching the rest until those 5 are done.
I had no trouble identifying my top 5, but this article REALLY made me realize the importance of FOCUS and the fact that it's a result of ELIMINATING DISTRACTIONS.
Upon self-reflection, I noticed I had been spending more and more time on apps that were major time-sucks:
I'd take a break at my work desk to watch "part of a movie" - and end up watching the whole thing.
I'd move from my work desk to the sofa for a "short break" - which would turn into 1-2 hours of netflix / youtube videos / Wechat top stories.
Same thing when I went to bed at night: The original intention was to spend 10 minutes to wind down. Over time, this had lengthened to 1-2+ hours of surfing various sites/apps - most of which were not related to work or self-betterment.
I'm all for balancing work and play, but this type of addiction doesn't really provide satisfaction. There are so many projects I am (or plan on) working on, that will bring more enjoyment and satisfaction - that I could and SHOULD be spending time on!
I decided to do something to curb this type of time-drainage. Below is a list of what I did to reclaim around 2 hours of my life every day:
1)Block Time-Suck Sites from Work Computer
I downloaded a Chrome extension called "Stay Focused" and blocked Netflix from my desktop:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/d...lahlfoji?hl=en
I can still access netflix from my laptop, but it would require plugging-in and powering on. My level of self-control can handle NOT going through the trouble.
You can use this extension to block any other sites: Youtube, Facebook, etc.
(I can't block Youtube/FB because I need them for work - this is where I need to exercise will-power.)
I'm still getting my entertainment time in - but mostly either on my laptop over the weekend (I can schedule a big block of time for that up to twice a week) or under limited usage time on my phone if I choose to (more on that later).
2)Uninstall/Delete All Entertainment from Work Computer's Hard Drive
Games - uninstalled.
Torrent downloaders - uninstalled.
Previously-downloaded movies - deleted (after backing up on cloud).
3)Limit Usage Time on Mobile Apps
I use an app called "AppDetox" to limit my usage of time-suck apps, which (for me specifically) are Google, Youtube and Wechat.
I set a limit of 10 minutes/day/app for these - enough time for occasional, work-related use.
And of course, most of the games on my phone got uninstalled for good.
4)Fill the Void with Useful Information
The reason why I was so addicted to watching entertaining but not-very-useful stuff in the first place, was because I needed the occasional escape from more-serious work.
So - I made a list of things I could do in lieu of browsing useless content. For example:
-The STM Forum App - to expand my learning and keep tabs on what everyone is doing
-Spy tools - to see what other people are doing, that I could adapt to my existing business or imitate to start new ones
-A list of sites/articles I had bookmarked but "never had the time" to check out "later"
-Bought/downloaded useful ebooks (e.g. ecom, copywriting, and energy healing - my calling), on Kindle, Lithium (for free ebooks I download from gutenberg.org), and WeChat Read (they have English books too but mostly Chinese books)
-Courses I've purchased but "not had time" to go through yet
Whenever I want to take a break, I would spend time on these instead. And because they aren't as mindless/entertaining as videos of cute puppies, I can pry myself away and return to work after a break WAY easier - and not lose track of time.
5)Meditate Twice a Day
Did you know that meditation makes you more productive?
https://hbr.org/2012/10/if-youre-too...-meditate.html
And if, like me, you're a believer in the importance of staying in energy alignment, then you'd already understand the importance of meditation.
I try to do it twice a day - first thing in the morning to start the day off right, and last thing at night before falling asleep.
I would just meditate and gradually slip into sleep. I would also do stuff like progressive full-body relaxation, and self-healing techniques like chi-gong - it's hard not to fall asleep when you're so relaxed and your mind so calm.
Also...meditating at night has the important added benefit of helping me to avoid using my cell phone in bed, which eliminates the wasting-time-on-apps-before-bed issue.
Moreover - did you know that sleeping with your phone near your body is bad for your health?
https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beaut...health/xwpws8t
(And since most of you are guys: Know that cell phone radiation can cause sterility. 
)
And - do NOT put your cell phone under your pillow while it's charging! I used to do that until one time it got so hot, it almost set everything on fire - I wasn't aware that it was a risk until I googled it:
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/...et-6834980.php
A very stupid and ignorant mistake that could have resulted in a bad end for myself and my partner.
Best thing to do would be to keep your phone out of your bedroom altogether.
My partner and I have purchased an old-fashioned alarm clock (yes they still sell those!) to replace cell phone alarms. Now our cell phones stay in the livingroom while we sleep.
6)Reply to Email and Chat at Dedicated Times
This one isn't new for me - I've been doing this from the very start. But it's such a time-saver I thought I'd include it.
Skype, Wechat, Whatsapp, Telegram, FB Messenger, personal and work emails - some I would check once a day, others once every few days, even once every week. It's the only way to keep my life sane. I'm not good at multitasking.
(And even if you ARE, the extra focus can result in greater progress.)
According to this article, it takes an average of 23 minutes to return to the original task after an interruption:
http://blog.idonethis.com/distractions-at-work/
So it's easy to see how checking and replying to all the messages at once can save a lot of time.
(The only exception is Slack, which I use to communicate with teams, including the STM admins/mods/support team. When I'm part of a team, any delays will get magnified - I don't like to be the bottleneck.)
As a result of my new habits, I'm able to recover around 2 hours/day that I can dedicate towards achieving my life goals.
That's 730 hours in a year, or a whole extra month in a year (and that's WITHOUT factoring in sleep hours!)
Lastly: Here are other forum threads with great productivity tips:
https://stmforum.com/forum/showthrea...-Sleep-is-Good!
https://stmforum.com/forum/showthrea...ing-Stuff-Done
https://stmforum.com/forum/showthrea...-On-Your-Grind
https://stmforum.com/forum/showthrea...s-done-quicker
https://stmforum.com/forum/showthrea...ctivity-habits
https://stmforum.com/forum/showthrea...ductivity-Tips
Now that I've shared my productivity tips - would love to hear yours!
Amy
Thank you so much, really great information,just need take action)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great post Amy, and perfect timing, been dealing myself with same issues. When trying to relax mind from focused work I spend too much time wasted. Though one needs a balance, if void is filled with content that you need to think hard, you will eventually drift back to old habits
Originally Posted by katim777
This is why we each need to find something to fill the void with, that is a good balance between being 1)too entertaining but useless, and 2)not entertaining at all.
I love learning about energy healing - it's my passion. So buying more books on Kindle will entice me to read them instead of watching useless videos.
But like you said, reading WILL involve SOME thinking, so it's not 100% as entertaining as the stuff we're addicted to. But that's what we need - so that when the break is over, we can return to work.
So the choice of what should be used to fill that void will be different from person to person. And in the end, some degree of will-power will be involved - at least until the new habits are established.
It actually didn't take me too long - I got used to the new regime within a week.
Being addicted to something is actually painful in a way, and as I've mentioned quite unsatisfying. It's synonymous to being hungry but binge-ing on junk-food instead of eating something wholesome and nutritious. It may make you feel good in the moment (not even 100% at that), but leave you feeling unsatisfied afterwards.
Just try to make slight changes - you have nothing to lose, even if in the end you drift back to the "old ways". And you can always try again. No guilt is necessary if you don't succeed the first time or even the first 10 times. If it's meant to be, it will happen.
But everything still needs to start with our AWARENESS and INTENTION TO CHANGE. Without these, nothing can happen.
Amy
Definitly done the watch part of movie -> watch whole movie thing. But what works for me seems to be just leaving my phone outside the room I work in and not turning on web whatsapp etc. (though it also means some people get annoyed when I don't reply them for like 5 hours)
Originally Posted by sushiparlour
I will share one tip on that topic: Once I stopped trying to please people, they stopped expecting me to reply the same day or even the same week. And more and more understanding people started coming into my life, as more and more of the less understanding people faded out.
My phone settings for notifications are turned off for most apps - except text messages which only people that know my personal number can send = mostly friends and family.
My happiness comes first, and everyone else's comes second. Sounds selfish I know, but if I can't be happy first, I won't be of as much value to loved ones.
Amy
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using STM Forums mobile app
Great post Amy! Much appreciated 
I used to have a Twitter account for work purposes (or something like that) and it was a major time suck. Now I don't have any twitter or any social media at all.
I also like to batch things. I don't do it with email, I'll admit, but I do do it with regular mail, and also only do bookkeeping once a month, etc. Also ordering groceries ahead of time on the app for pickup only strictly once a week has been a big time saver too, and also money saver
Originally Posted by jack_l
I used to have a Twitter account for work purposes (or something like that) and it was a major time suck. Now I don't have any twitter or any social media at all.
I also like to batch things. I don't do it with email, I'll admit, but I do do it with regular mail, and also only do bookkeeping once a month, etc. Also ordering groceries ahead of time on the app for pickup only strictly once a week has been a big time saver too, and also money saver
Thanks for the groceries tip! I should start doing the same actually. Oftentimes I'd go to Walmart to "pick up a couple things" and ended up browsing around for an hour and getting a bunch of other stuff - although it's always stuff we do actually need.
You've reminded me of another thing I've been wanting to try: Getting cooked meals delivered instead of cooking ourselves. My gf and I are already "batching" by cooking twice a week and putting food in the freezer for the days when we don't cook, but cooking is still quite time consuming. The only thing holding us back is that we keep a very strict diet for her health condition and we can't find a place that can accommodate all our requirements. But we'll keep looking.
Thanks for sharing Jack!
Amy
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using STM Forums mobile app
This is a great post!
I have this one habit that keeps on eating hours and hours of my time, over and over again, ever since I got my first smartphone Every time I get sick (the real stuff that get's me nailed to the bed for a few days) I check the appstore for some games and install a bunch of them, till I find one that I like. What follows is a couple months of mild addiction, until I reach the point that I realize I spend several hours late in the evening, playing some dumb game, instead of getting some rest ... then I have to uninstall it and wait for the cycle to repeat itself
The last time it was Clash Royale ... I got pretty good though, 4600 trophies if there are any fans of the game around
Games, movies, social media ... these CAN become royal time wasters if not handled properly.
This post is amazing, thanks a lot Amy! What works for me to replace or to reduce "play time" during the week is any type of exercise, helps me clear my mind and to feel better afterwards, even if it's only 20 mins
Specially when you're overthinking about a problem or a situation when you can't find a way around it, taking a break, exercising, or meditating away from the work desk, will help to see things differently
Awesome tips! Thanks a lot Amy!
Originally Posted by diegovelasco
Specially when you're overthinking about a problem or a situation when you can't find a way around it, taking a break, exercising, or meditating away from the work desk, will help to see things differently
When trying to solve a difficult problem, getting all frustrated will just generate a lot of resistant energy that will throw one off one's energy alignment. When that happens, the person cuts themself off from Source/Universe, which can be a GREAT source of inspiration.
Plus, they wouldn't be able to use their logical mind when it's clouded by emotion.
Whereas your suggestion to take a break/meditate would take one's focus OFF the problem to ALLOW inspiration to come through. I've not been a regular smoker since 15 years ago, but would still have the occasional cigarette just because it helps me focus on the big picture while making me receptive to inspiration. I've received so much inspiration from the Universe during cigarette breaks, I could write a book. Meditating regularly has similar effects.
Amy
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