We All Have 24 Hours in a Day - Controversial, Right?
You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: "We all have the same 24 hours in a day." And sure, it's a nice little phrase that gets thrown around to inspire us to do more, achieve more, and somehow make the most out of every second. But let’s get real for a second. Is it really all about how many hours we have? Or is it more about how we use them and who we have helping us?
You Can Have All the Plates Spinning, But You Can't Be the One Spinning Them All - Outsource.
We all have those days, right? We juggle the kids, the errands, the job, the side hustle, and somehow, we’re also trying to make a delicious dinner, exercise, and enjoy a Netflix binge—because, hey, self-care, am I right? But here’s the thing: you can’t be the one doing it all. You can have all the things happening at once, but you can’t be the one physically doing everything. That's where outsourcing comes in. Get help! There’s no shame in it. In fact, anyone who has ever done anything has had help. There is always a trade off. While you’re doing one thing, you cant be doing the other. What might that look like for you? Hiring a cleaner? Outsourcing meal prep? Help with the kids while you focus on your high-value goals then be with the kids while your admin help keeps pushing the work? Time is money, and trust me, investing in help is essential to getting anything done in this life.
How Many of These Precious 24 Hours Are You Multiplying?
Picture this: you’re spending a couple of hours working on your passion project, the thing that lights you up the most, the one thing that could take you places. But wait—let me answer that email, text my friend back, fold that laundry quick. I know, I know, multitasking seems like a superpower, but here’s the catch: when you’re not all-in on your high-value tasks, you’re not maximising your time. Have you set up systems and support to handle the rest of the things?
Think about it: while you’re doing what you love and what makes you money, have you structured your life so other tasks—like errands, cleaning, cooking, or administrative duties—are being taken care of by someone else? That’s where multiplying time really happens.
A Clutter-Free Home = More Time
Ever noticed how much time you waste looking for your keys, your phone, or that one important document? It’s like a black hole of time that sucks you dry! Having a clean and tidy space isn't just for Pinterest perfection—it’s a game changer. When your home is organised, your mind is clearer, and your time becomes more valuable. No more searching for things you need. Instead of hunting down your purse or your phone, you can focus on the bigger tasks at hand. That’s time saved!
Optimising Your Time: Sleep Edition
Ever heard Arnold Schwarzenegger’s answer to the 24hrs in a day debate where people ask.. what about sleep? He said “Just sleep faster”. Well.. he kinda has a point. Sleep is the ultimate productivity hack, and trust me, a great night's sleep saves you from those hours spent dragging through the day, unable to focus. It also saves you from wasting time lying there, not sleeping! For ultimate sleep optimisation, let’s help you out a little. Create a dark, quiet, and cool environment. Use blackout curtains. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows that support your sleep position. Declutter your space to reduce mental stress, and consider a white noise machine or earplugs to block out distractions. Limit screen time before bed and establish a calming pre-sleep routine with activities like reading or putting a guided sleep story on. Lastly, stick to a consistent sleep schedule to train your body’s natural rhythm. With these tweaks, you’ll improve both the quality and quantity of your sleep!
Have You Put Time Constraints in Place?
Time constraints are essential to optimising those precious 24 hours. Without them, we wander around aimlessly, wasting not only our precious moments, but we waste other peoples time too. Set limits on how long you’ll spend on certain tasks. Need to do emails? Great. Set a timer for 30 minutes. Time to clean? Give yourself 20 minutes. Does that meeting really need to be an hour? It’s about knowing how to contain your work and give yourself permission to move on when the time is up. This is key to productivity and making sure your day isn’t slipping away. There also becomes a shift. When you start valuing your time, others begin to value your time too. Watch your life shift as you become a little more in demand and unattainable to energy drainers.
Stick to Your Schedule!
Yes, I know—it sounds rigid, but here's the thing: if you don’t stick to your schedule, you’re asking to waste time. Having a structured day means you can accomplish more in less time. That means more freedom to do what you actually want to do! I’m not saying you can’t be flexible, but having a plan in place is your ticket to time efficiency. Let’s keep things moving, people.
Plan Your Day So You Don’t Lose Precious Minutes
Time is sneaky. One moment, you’re on top of the world, crushing your to-do list. The next, you’ve somehow lost hours scrolling through Instagram. Planning your day in advance (the night before, even!) ensures you’re not scrambling for things to do. You’ll know exactly where your time is going, and you’ll make sure it’s going to what matters most.
Be Aware of Your Screen Time
Speaking of Instagram, how much time are you really spending on your devices? Ever notice how those "quick checks" turn into hours lost to mindless scrolling? Start tracking your screen time, and you'll be amazed at how much of it can be cut down. Set constraints on your usage and stick to them. That time you could’ve spent on something more meaningful? Now it’s yours to keep!
Examples of Things to Outsource to Buy Back Your Time
Here’s where the magic happens. Want to know how to buy back time? Start outsourcing the tasks that suck up your hours and drain your energy. Here are some things that could be taking your precious minutes away:
Food Prep: Hire a meal prep service or batch cook.
Cleaner: Could you better spend that hour? Get help!
Kids: If you can afford it, a sitter, nanny, or family member can take care of your kids while you have a date night, a meeting, a massage. Filling up your own cup will spill out to your kids and you’ll be a better parent for it. Trust me. (more on this in my next blog)
Admin Support: An assistant can handle your emails, scheduling, social media and so much more, leaving you free to focus on your creative endeavors or business.
By outsourcing, you're not just delegating—you're multiplying your time. While the cleaner is tidying up, you’re diving deep into your passion project. While your admin assistant is handling your inbox, you’re enjoying a family dinner. It's like getting four hours for the price of one! Make those hours work for their money!
Time is Your Most Valuable Asset. Use It Wisely.
So, what’s the moral of the story? You can have all the hours in the world, but if you’re not being strategic with your time, you’re wasting your most expensive asset. The secret isn’t about how much time you have—it's about how you use it. Start outsourcing, squeeze the juice out every hour, stick to your schedule, and make sure your home supports your productivity.
The question isn’t “how do I fit it all in?” It’s: how can I multiply the time I have?
Let’s stop pretending we have to do it all ourselves. With a little help and the right strategies, you can make those 24 hours feel endless.