Among a sea of articles, books, and blog posts written about increasing your productivity, this is the one which will give you advice that you want to hear. Stop cutting out your “wants”, and start axing those “needs”.
Most experts will speak about categorizing all your tasks into items that you need to do, versus ones that you would like to accomplish. Afterwards, you are encouraged to schedule your needs in an efficient manner so that you can get to your wants and have a happier and more fulfilling life. However, that still involves getting the same number of tasks done in the same amount of time. How does that even make sense?
Instead, it’s time to free yourself from some time-sucking “needs” that we can instead replace with a “want” and not stress about the day only having 24 hours. Here are a list of frequent “needs” that we add to our daily routines which can be easily eliminated.
- Shaving
Regardless of whether you are male or female, shaving is most likely a task you are intimately acquainted with. Not only does it timely process if you want to get it right, the cost of blades, handles, and cream all add up. Especially if you lead a lifestyle or have a job quick requires a smooth shave, the thought of permanently removing the pesky stubble has no doubt passed through your mind. The great thing is that this actually exists! A virtually pain-free IPL hair removal treatment can liberate you from daily shaving and save you that time and money so that you can spend it doing something more important to your well-being.
- Driving
Cutting out driving and car use might initially seem like a way to make your day even less productive. However, think about it. Don’t all those million-dollar making CEOs have drivers? Not only is it super posh, but it also gives them a chance to be productive while someone else takes the wheel and focuses on the road. Though you probably can’t hire a private driver to be at your every beck and call, see if you can organize a car pool at your workplace which will allow you all to take turns driving and give the rest a chance to catch up on emails, calls, or some leisure reading. Alternately, move closer to where all your daily action is so that you can quickly zip around by bicycle or foot so that you cut your travel down to a minimum.
- Grocery Shopping
Physiologically we must eat, and cooking for yourself is the best way to keep your body healthy and fit. That’s why we aren’t saying that you should cut out grocery shopping altogether, rather streamline it so that it is not a daily activity. Take time once a week to plan a menu, create a corresponding grocery list, and then hit the store. Buy all the things you need, and if necessary you can top up over the week, but at least you won’t waste time thinking and zoning out in aisle 13 of the grocery store.
- Dishes
Yes, a dishwasher might be a costly investment, but think of the time that you will save which you can use in different ways! This is especially true if you have a big household for which you do a lot of cooking. If the price is making you shy away from this productivity booster, look for a second-hand machine with a good efficiency rating. This move could save you a few hundred dollars while bringing you the same result: more time!
Once you cut out a few or all of these daily “needs” from your life, you will find that not only will the rest of your needs have an easier time fitting in, you will have more freedom to accomplish your wants.