In my work recovering from my chronic procrastination and in teaching others to do the same, I have found that learning how to save time is essential. When we use our time mindfully, we are better able to resist the lure of procrastination and we are able to find more satisfaction across each day.
The more we figure out ways to save time, the more we feel:
- empowered
- calm
- focused
- capable
- centered
- grounded
But there is more.
The more we learn how to use our time mindfully, the less we feel:
- distracted
- harried
- overwhelmed
- incompetent
- out of time
Time appears to expand when we are mindful of our time and when our focus is clear. The opposite happens when we fall behind schedule, are worried about the future, and feel unclear and overwhelmed about what to do next. Time contracts when we feel stressed.
How I Easily Save Time Each Day by Using the Moment App
I had been hearing about the Moment App, a free tool that tracks how much time users spend on their phone. I figured I should give it a try, since I'm game for any productivity-enhancing app.
I approached it with some resistance — the resistance of seeing how much time I was ACTUALLY spending on the phone. You might know what I mean here.
I made it a promise to myself to go through with the experiment by announcing on Instastory that I was going to use the app. That sealed the deal.
Then I worked a full work day with the Moment App tracking my phone use from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm. The results were:
1 hour and 24 minutes of screen time and 19 pickups
The results didn’t blow me away (either in a good or bad way), so I decided to continue using it for a few more days.
Now those results I paid attention to.
I initially saw my phone time go way up — probably because it was the weekend. And it went up substantially. Enough to make me take note.
Then after another few days, I realized the extra self-awareness I had because of the Moment App encouraged me to curb my phone use. My self-awareness was now switched to “ON.”
Whenever I just wanted to linger on the phone a little longer I didn’t.
When I had no specific reason to pick up the phone I didn’t.
Bam. That right there probably saved me an hour a day. Pretty sweet.
I encourage you to move past your own resistance to looking at your own behavior and life. I highly recommend the Moment App, but if you have some other way to examine your actions more closely and to save time that works for you, do that.
I’d say there are few investments better than those that rescue your time.
Enjoy having more time and more freedom in your day.
Before You Go
What will you do with all of your new-found time? Take advantage of the time you will save with the Moment App. I've designed the TIME TRACKER sheet to help you plan your actions and ensure you'll feel good about what you've accomplished at the end of the day. The TIME TRACKER sheet will encourage you to be strategic about your planning and to be mindful of what you do and don't do.
