4 Things I Stopped Doing to Gain 10+ Hours a Week
Have you ever felt like your day just slips away with little to show for it? Gaining extra time is one of the most sought-after goals in today’s busy world. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple tasks, or an entrepreneur, having more hours in your week can transform your productivity and peace of mind.
The truth is, time isn’t something we can create—but we can definitely free up more of it by changing how we approach our habits. In this post, I’ll share the 4 things I stopped doing to gain 10+ hours a week—simple but powerful shifts that helped me reclaim my time and focus on what truly matters. You’ll learn practical steps to eliminate time-wasters, increase productivity, and make room for what’s most important.
1. Stopping Multitasking
One of the biggest time thieves I had was multitasking. It felt like getting two things done at once was efficient, but science shows otherwise.
Why Multitasking Slows You Down
- It divides your attention and reduces focus.
- Switching tasks causes mental fatigue.
- Errors increase, leading to more time spent fixing mistakes.
By stopping multitasking, I started focusing on one task at a time and completing it fully before moving on. This shift alone gave me back several hours each week.
How to Stop Multitasking
- Use a timer to dedicate blocks of time to one task.
- Close unnecessary tabs and apps.
- Set clear priorities to know what deserves your focus first.
2. Letting Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism felt like a virtue at first—doing things thoroughly and carefully. But it turned into a huge time sink.
The Cost of Perfectionism
- Over-editing and obsessing over minor details.
- Delays in finishing projects or making decisions.
- Increased stress and burnout.
By accepting “good enough” in many areas, I was able to complete work faster and move on. It freed up time and reduced unnecessary stress.
Tips to Overcome Perfectionism
- Set realistic standards for different types of tasks.
- Focus on progress, not perfection.
- Celebrate completed tasks, even if they aren’t flawless.
3. Cutting Down on Social Media
Social media can easily become a giant time sink if not managed carefully.
How Social Media Steals Time
- Mindless scrolling eats up large chunks of your day.
- Constant notifications interrupt focus.
- Time spent often feels like “lost” time.
I stopped checking social media multiple times a day and limited usage to specific time blocks, which immediately added hours back into my week.
Strategies to Reduce Social Media Time
- Use apps that track and limit usage.
- Turn off non-essential notifications.
- Replace social media with purposeful breaks like walking or reading.
4. Saying Yes to Everything
Early in my career and personal life, I had a hard time saying no, which led to an overloaded schedule.
The Problem with Overcommitting
- Spreading yourself too thin decreases quality and efficiency.
- Less time for your priorities and self-care.
- Increased stress and burnout.
Learning to say no respectfully and setting boundaries gave me back significant time to focus on what truly matters.
How to Say No Gracefully
- Be honest and polite.
- Offer alternatives if possible.
- Prioritize your commitments based on your goals and energy.
Conclusion
Gaining 10+ hours a week is absolutely possible by making intentional changes to your habits. By stopping multitasking, letting go of perfectionism, cutting down on social media, and learning to say no, you can reclaim your time and reduce stress. These shifts help you focus on what’s most important and boost your overall productivity and well-being.
