To keep this simple, I’ll give you the steps at the start of the article:
Step 1: Track it
Step 2: Get rid of it or make it more efficient
Exploring that more, since lockdown started my children were spending so much more time at home. I became more and more aware that I wasn’t “present”. They were so reliant on me (they’re 4 and 6), and I’d hear them calling and I’d be on my phone.
Don’t get me wrong, it was almost always something important, I’d be writing shopping items on a Trello list, or responding to important messages, but I’d start getting frustrated with the kids and they’d be frustrated with me.
This needed to change, I was blessed with so much more time with them, but I wasn’t there. I hunted round for articles but then the obvious hit me. What would I teach my clients?
#1 Track it
What was I spending time on? The easy way to check on my phone was looking at screen time and was shocked to see 4+ hours a day on WhatsApp most days. Now I like the app, I like how conversations work, but that was too much.
#2 Get rid of it or make it more efficient
I started to mute groups and respond when I had time. I found I became more efficient as I was replying to more at the same time rather than being in and out. The same approach worked with e-mail. You might also need to leave groups or unsubscribe from emails. There isn’t one answer to all issues and I’ve also got a separate two step process for deciding WHEN to get rid of something!
This process doesn’t only apply to your devices or online activity, you could apply it to your bookkeeping or the report for your operations team that takes too long. You might spend ages cleaning or gardening and not enjoy it. Everything you do could be more efficient. You’ll also find for every job you hate doing, someone out there would love to do it for you!
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