Stop Wasting Time - 5 Time Management Skills to Master

Summary

In this video, Ali, a former doctor turned entrepreneur, discusses the five key skills for effective time management outside of a 9 to 5 job. He emphasizes the importance of prioritization, setting goals, and using daily and weekly planning to stay focused. Ali also highlights the value of time blocking, improving focus through single-tasking, and the necessity of follow-through to achieve set objectives. Lastly, he touches on energizing work through the 3 Ps: play, power, and people, to ensure that time management leads to a more fulfilling and productive life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ali, a doctor turned entrepreneur, discusses the importance of managing time effectively outside of a 9 to 5 job in his third video of a series.
• 🔑 Prioritization is key to time management; Ali suggests avoiding the phrase 'I don't have time' and instead focusing on what is truly important.
• 🎯 Setting clear goals helps in determining priorities and guiding actions towards achieving them.
• 🗓️ Time blocking is a crucial skill for effective time management, which involves scheduling dedicated time for important tasks in a calendar.
• 🏞️ The 'daily adventure' technique encourages identifying the single most important task of the day and scheduling it, which can make work feel more enjoyable.
• 🤸‍♂️ 'Side quests' are smaller tasks related to health or relationships that complement the main 'adventure' and should also be time blocked.
• 📝 Conducting a weekly review helps in reflecting on the past week and setting priorities for the upcoming week, which can be facilitated through workshops.
• 🧘‍♀️ Focus is a skill that can be improved through practices like single-tasking and avoiding multitasking, leading to less time lost to distractions.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Follow-through is the ability to actually do what you've planned, which is enhanced by creating accountability structures like an accountability buddy.
• 🔋 Energizing work involves making tasks feel more engaging and less draining through the strategies of play, power, and people, as outlined in Ali's book 'Feelgood Productivity'.
• 📚 Ali recommends resources like books on focus and productivity, and his own 'Focus Crash Course' for those looking to improve their time management skills.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video series presented by Ali?

The main theme of the video series is about managing time effectively outside of a 9 to 5 job, covering mindsets, time drains, and key skills for improved time management.

What is the first skill discussed by Ali for effective time management?

The first skill discussed is prioritization, which involves recognizing what is truly important and making time for those activities by setting them as priorities.

Why does Ali suggest avoiding the phrase 'I don't have time'?

Ali suggests avoiding the phrase 'I don't have time' because it's not about the lack of time, but rather about the tasks not being prioritized enough to make time for them.

What is the 'daily adventure' concept introduced by Ali?

The 'daily adventure' is a method where Ali asks himself what the single most important task is for the day, framing it as an adventure to make the work feel good and encouraging finding fun in the task.

How does Ali recommend using a calendar for time management?

Ali recommends using a calendar to block out time for important tasks, both work-related and life-related, ensuring that the time spent is intentional and that the most important activities are prioritized.

What is the 'side quest' concept mentioned by Ali?

The 'side quest' concept involves identifying one or two additional activities, usually related to health or relationships, that Ali aims to accomplish each day, alongside his main 'daily adventure'.

What is the purpose of conducting a weekly review according to Ali?

The purpose of a weekly review is to reflect on the past week's activities and create a set of priorities for the upcoming week, helping to maintain focus and intentionality in time management.

How does Ali define the skill of time blocking?

Time blocking is defined as the skill of allocating specific time slots in one's calendar for important tasks and activities, ensuring that time is used intentionally and efficiently.

What is the 'Focus crash course' mentioned by Ali, and how can viewers access it?

The 'Focus crash course' is a 7-Day email course by Ali that provides principles, strategies, and tools to improve focus. Viewers can access it by signing up at focuscrashcourse.com.

What are the three Ps that Ali suggests to energize work?

The three Ps are Play, Power, and People. These strategies are aimed at making work a source of energy rather than a drain, by incorporating enjoyable elements, leveraging one's strengths, and building positive relationships.

How does Ali describe the skill of follow-through?

Follow-through is described as the ability to actually do what one says they will do. It's a rare skill that involves setting intentions, time blocking for those tasks, and then consistently executing on those tasks when the time comes.

What is the 'unblock method' Ali refers to for combating procrastination?

The 'unblock method' is a three-step process from Ali's book to overcome procrastination: gaining Clarity to overcome uncertainty, finding Courage to overcome fear, and taking action to overcome inertia.

How does Ali suggest finding accountability to improve follow-through?

Ali suggests finding accountability by creating structures such as having an accountability buddy, joining a group with shared commitments, or making public commitments that require consistent action.

What is the significance of the 'Sunday Snippets' email newsletter in Ali's life?

The 'Sunday Snippets' email newsletter is a weekly commitment Ali has made to his subscribers, which has helped him develop the skill of follow-through and maintain consistency in his work, even during times with a full-time job.