How to Master Time Management Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Most days are ordinary. Today, for example, was a typical Saturday: I spent some time studying on my computer, working on a university assessment. Nothing special, just a regular day. But it got me thinking about something I often discuss—organization, time management, happiness, and well-being. These topics become even more important when you have a lot on your plate and your days feel too short.
We all share the same unit of time: 24 hours in a day. Some people need a bit more sleep, others less, but the difference is rarely more than an hour or two. On average, most people need about seven hours of sleep. Some manage with six, a few with five and a half, but that’s rare and usually only for a few days before they catch up on rest. So, whether you sleep six or eight hours, the difference is small. What really matters is how you use the rest of your time.
Everyone uses their time differently. Some people have to commute—maybe an hour each way by train to get to work. If you live in Paris or Brussels, that’s pretty normal. In Sydney, where I live, it’s the same. Most of my colleagues spend at least an hour on the train each day because living in the city center is so expensive. Some even take the ferry, which might sound exotic if you’re from France, but here it’s just another way to get to the office.
Why am I talking so much about public transport? Because it’s a perfect example of how we all have the same hours, but not everyone uses them the same way. Some people get motion sickness and can’t do much while traveling, but even then, you can listen to audiobooks or podcasts. You don’t need to stare at your phone. Even if you’re not feeling great, you can still learn something new during that time.
If you’re comfortable on the train, you can make even better use of that hour. In Europe, you can pay extra for first class, which might seem expensive, but if you use that time well, it’s worth every cent. I once heard about an author who wrote a book every year just by writing during his daily train rides. Instead of scrolling through social media or sending pointless messages, he created something lasting. Sending a text is fine, but it’s like junk food—nothing memorable. No one will remember you for sending a text, but they might remember you for writing a book.
This is the Pareto principle in action: focus on the 20% of activities that bring 80% of the results. Use your time for things that matter, things that people will remember, and things that make you proud. If you spend your commute writing, learning, or working on something meaningful, you’ll get much more out of those hours.
You can apply this idea to other “dead” times too—waiting in line, sitting in a waiting room, or even while shopping. Listen to a podcast, take notes, or brainstorm ideas. Stay active and keep the habit of asking yourself how you can use your time better. Keep improving, keep questioning, and keep optimizing.
Every week, take a moment to look back and ask yourself: Did I use my time well? What went well? What could I have done better? If something worked, keep doing it. If not, try a different approach next week. Make it a game, a challenge to yourself. Even during the day, pause every couple of hours and check in: Am I happy with how I spent the last two hours? Could I have used them differently? Did I spend time with someone who drains my energy? Was that conversation worth it?
Time is the most valuable resource you have. If you give someone an hour of your life, you’re giving them something you can never get back. Money comes and goes, but time only goes. Imagine if you had a “life bank account” that went down a little every day. You’d probably pay more attention to how you spend your hours.
We often give away our time too easily, sometimes to people we don’t even like. You’d never hand them 300 euros, but you might give them three hours of your life without thinking. Try putting a price on your time. Decide that an hour of your life is worth 3,000 or 5,000 euros. Suddenly, you’ll be much more careful about how you spend it. You’ll see that it’s often cheaper to delegate tasks you don’t enjoy or aren’t good at, so you can focus on what really matters.
If you keep doing things the same way, don’t expect different results. As Einstein supposedly said, only a fool repeats the same actions and expects a different outcome. Change your approach, try new things, and see if you can create a better life for yourself.
Consistency is key. If you do something every day, even for just ten minutes, it adds up. Ten minutes a day is over an hour a week, more than four hours a month. Everyone can find ten minutes. It’s like brushing your teeth—you don’t skip it because you’re busy. Make your good habits just as automatic.
The only real limits are the ones you set for yourself. Most of our boundaries come from our upbringing, our environment, and our past experiences. Challenge those limits. Prove to yourself that you can go further. Create a vision board, put up pictures of the life you want, and remind yourself why you’re working so hard. When things get tough, look at your goals and keep moving forward.
To dare is to lose your balance for a moment. Not to dare is to lose yourself.
— Soren Kierkegaard
The journey itself is beautiful. We don’t ask where the road ends, we just take one step after another and enjoy what we do.
— Anonymous
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
— Chinese proverb
Key Takeaways
- Everyone has the same 24 hours. How you use them makes all the difference.
- Use “dead” time for learning, creating, or reflecting, not just for distractions.
- Put a value on your time and delegate tasks that don’t bring you joy or value.
- Review your week and your days. Keep what works, change what doesn’t.
- Build good habits with small, daily actions. Consistency beats intensity.
- Challenge your limits and keep your goals in sight.
Reflection
- How am I really spending my hours each day?
- What small change can I make today to use my time better?
- If my time was worth 3,000 euros an hour, would I spend it the same way?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Daily Routine #Life Organization #Money #Nomad #Personal Development #Productivity #Time-Management