The 7 Habits That Save Me 7 Hours Every Week

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We need to talk about saving time.

Now, the productivity bros might tell you that saving time is the Holy Grail of productivity - the pinnacle of streamlined, systemised success. Aka juggling three client calls, writing an instagram caption, microwaving your lunch and wrangling a toddler. Because apparently, saving time should be THE goal - the idea that we can somehow squeeze every last drop of action out of our days so we can save those precious minutes for later - like time’s some kinda’ resource we can hoard in a jar and crack open when we’re ready.

But *whispers dramatically* saving time is a myth.

Time isn’t something you can “save” for later. It’s not some leftover piece of cake you can stash in the fridge for tomorrow’s snack (sadly - I love cake).

Time is spent as you live it. Every second that passes is a second gone, no matter how #efficient you are. And have you ever noticed - the more you run around trying to “save time,” the more it feels like you’re behind some magical time quota, so you try and pack more and more in and as a result you’re left exhausted and sobbing at the end of the day without ever having done what you actually want to do?

I mean, hypothetically.

Instead of playing the productivity game to “save” time, I decided to switch my focus to how I’m using the time I have as I live it to achieve my goals.

And I’ve been able to do this via the power of implementing some seemingly simple, but fairly life-changing habits when it comes to the hours I have every single week to do, well, whatever the hell I want with.

I’d estimate about 7 hours, in fact. Hours that I now spend doing what I actually want to do, not what I feel like I have to do.

If you’re constantly feeling behind, overwhelmed, and out of sync with the freedom you dreamed of when you started your business - a) pour yourself a coffee, and b) read on, gentle reader.

1. Closing My Inbox Tab

Time repurposed: 1-2 hours per day

Keeping your inbox open all day is kinda like having a toddler tugging at your sleeve. It’s constantly demanding your attention, even when you’re in the middle of something important.

And for THE longest time, I was that person. Email notifications popping up every few minutes, using my inbox as a to-do list, trapped in a never-ending loop of "I’ll just quickly check this one…" until the whole morning was gone.

Then I did something WILD. I closed my inbox. Altogether.

Now, I only check emails during specific windows of time each day (and I have to specifically open the app or tab to do this) and it’s freed up SO MUCH space in my brain (and calendar).

Sure, the emails still pile up, but here’s the thing: they’ll always be there. By not jumping to check them every five minutes, I’m able to focus on what I’m doing for extended periods of time. A power that I thought had completely disappeared after I had my first baby.

Plus, I’ve realised that literally nobody’s world ends if they have to wait a few hours for a response to an email.

Try it - close that tab, take a breath, and give yourself permission to focus on what really matters. You’ll thank me.

2. Taking a Shower After the Kids Go to Bed

Time repurposed: 2 hours per day

I know this one sounds small, but trust me—it’s a game-changer. After wrangling the kids through the dinner-bath-bed routine, I used to collapse on the couch in a Netflix-induced haze. That post-bedtime stretch of the evening would disappear, and I wasn’t even really sure what I’d done with it.

Then, one night, I circumnavigated the couch (it took every fibre of my being) and decided to shower as soon as the kids were tucked in. Instead of zoning out to the TV, I gave myself a little mental reset, and it completely shifted how I spent my evenings.

Suddenly, I wasn’t mindlessly glued to whatever reality show was on. I’d shower, and then on the way out of the bathroom I’d walk past my bed, my book, or my journal, and think, "Do I actually want to sit on the couch? Or would I rather read, write, or chat to my husband?"

Showering after bedtime gives me a tiny lil’ window of clarity - 10 minutes to reset, and from there, the night feels like mine again. I’m not saying you need to ditch the TV every single night if that’s what you love (because I definitely still enjoy a good Netflix binge). But if you feel like you’re losing those precious evening hours to the couch unintentionally, this little shift might just give you back some choice.

3. Spending 5 Minutes Planning Tomorrow - Today

Time repurposed: 1 hour per day

I used to roll outta bed in the morning and hit the ground running with zero plan. I’d think, "I’ll figure it out as I go."

Spoiler alert: that didn’t work for me. My day would quickly turn into a chaotic game of Tetris (those were the days), trying to squeeze tasks into random time blocks, and by noon, I was flailing.

Now, I spend five minutes every evening mapping out my priorities for the next day. This doesn’t have to be a full-blown project management session - in fact, it shouldn’t be. Mine is an intentionally quick run-through of the next day’s key tasks, what I need to think about in the morning for the kids and any meetings I need to prep for. It’s a tiny investment of time that saves me so much brainpower the next day. I wake up knowing exactly what I need to do that day, instead of jumping from task to task in a frenzy.

If planning feels like a burden, start small. Take five minutes, jot down what’s coming up, and give yourself a head start for tomorrow.

4. Scheduling 15 Minutes After Every Meeting

Time repurposed: 30 minutes per day

You know that feeling when you finish a meeting and immediately have to jump into something else, leaving your notes scattered in your head (or worse, buried in an inbox thread)? Yeah, me too.

I started giving myself 15 minutes after every meeting to process and transfer my notes to my actions list or project planner. I jot down any key actions, update my project planner, and send a quick follow-up if I need to realign any timelines. It’s like giving my brain a minute to catch its breath. Bonus: by organising things straight after the meeting, I don’t have to dig through my memory (or my notes) later on, which saves me even more time.

Trust me on this one - those 15 minutes are gold.

5. Make One Decision Every Day That Moves You Toward Your Goal

Time repurposed: Limitless potential

Let me ask you something: how many times have you gotten stuck in decision limbo? You’ve got big goals, but somehow, instead of moving forward, you find yourself researching a podcasting course for weeks or waiting for the perfect moment to start.

Here’s the thing: sometimes it’s not action that’s standing in your way. Sometimes, it’s stepping back and making a decision that’s going to move you forward.

Every day, I make one decision that gets me closer to my goals. It doesn’t have to be life-changing - it could be as simple as, "Today, I’m recording the first episode of my podcast," rather than spending yet another afternoon comparing microphones online. Progress happens in small steps, not in some big, perfect leap.

The next time you feel paralysed by a choice, ask yourself: "What’s one decision I can make right now that will bring me closer to my goal?" Then, make it. Even if you feel afraid.

6. Ask Yourself: Would I Want to Do This Tomorrow?

Time repurposed: Countless hours of mental anguish lol

We’ve all been there. Someone asks you to do something months in advance, and you say yes because, well, it’s ages away, right? But then the day creeps up, and suddenly you’re dreading that meeting or event you agreed to with that client who always leaves you feeling drained. Sound familiar?

Now, whenever I get a request, I make a habit of asking myself: "If this were happening tomorrow, would I want to do it?"

If the answer is no, I politely decline early (the key is early), sparing myself the future mental anguish, the weight of carrying around something you dread, hours of stress in the lead up about how you’re going to get out of whatever it is you’ve committed to, and ultimately the time you invest in the actual event itself if you do end up going through with it.

It’s not about being flaky or saying no for no’s sake - this is a habit that is HUGE when it comes to protecting your time and mental energy. If you don’t want to do something (like really don’t want to - this doesn’t apply to things that you do actually want to do but you’re a bit afraid to do) the earlier you say no, the easier it is for everyone involved.

7. Check In with Your Goals Every Morning and Evening

Time repurposed: Up to 2 hours per day

One habit that’s really helped me stay focussed is checking in with my habits and 3 questions every single day. Every morning, I spend five minutes in my paper habit tracker reviewing the habits I want to check off that day. Every evening, I reflect on what I accomplished and I use my 3-3-3 journal to evaluate how I’m feeling in terms of living my goals. It’s a simple habit tracker that reminds me of what’s important and helps me course-correct when I start veering off track.

By regularly checking in with my goals, I’m able to spot where I’m wasting time and refocus on what matters most. It’s a small investment of time, but the payoff, like most small investments of time, is huge.

Want to Implement These Habits Yourself?

If you’re looking for more practical tips to reclaim your time, I’m filming a mini-training on how to set up your own paper habit tracker and 3-3-3 journal, and all my girl, productive newsletter subscribers will be the first to score it.

If you want to get it first, plus receive a weekly Inbox injection of unconventional productivity and mindset hacks to support you if you’re a service provider or online business owner, subscribe here.

Until next time,

Kat xo