How can you create time-saving habits that align with your values?

1 Identify your core values

Clarifying your core values is essential for creating time-saving habits that align with them. To do this, ask yourself some questions such as: what makes you happy and fulfilled? What are you passionate about and enjoy doing? What do you want to achieve and contribute to the world? What do you admire and respect in others? Write down your answers and look for common themes. From there, select 3-5 values that resonate with you the most - these will be your core values.

2 Prioritize your activities

Once you have identified your core values, you can use them as a filter to prioritize your activities. To do this, categorize your tasks and responsibilities into four quadrants based on the Eisenhower matrix. Quadrant 1 tasks are important and urgent, like completing a project for a client or attending a meeting. Quadrant 2 tasks are important but not urgent, such as planning goals or learning a new skill. Quadrant 3 tasks are not important but urgent, like answering a phone call or checking an email. Lastly, quadrant 4 tasks are not important and not urgent, like browsing social media or shopping online. To create time-saving habits, focus on quadrant 2 tasks to help you achieve long-term goals and fulfill your values. Minimize or eliminate quadrant 3 and 4 tasks as they will distract you and waste your time. Only do quadrant 1 tasks when they are unavoidable or essential.

3 Automate or delegate some of your routine tasks

Creating time-saving habits that align with your values is not only possible but also rewarding. To do this, you can automate or delegate some of your routine tasks that are not aligned with your values or do not require your personal input. For example, you could use apps or tools to automate bills, reminders, appointments, or subscriptions; hire a virtual assistant, freelancer, or service provider to handle administrative, creative, or technical tasks; outsource some of your household chores like cleaning, laundry, or grocery shopping to a professional or family member; and batch or group similar tasks together and do them at once. By automating or delegating these tasks, you will be able to save time and energy while focusing on tasks that are aligned with your values and goals. In the end, you will feel more satisfied with life and more aligned with your purpose and values.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?