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Welcome to our latest newsletter! I posted this on Instagram last week and received a bunch of messages along with a wide range of feedback 👇
Before becoming a parent, I was convinced that I was operating at my peak productivity level. I was constantly busy, juggling countless tasks, and I genuinely believed I was making the most of my (endless) time. But looking back now, I realize how wrong I was.
Was I busier back then than I am now? Absolutely. But as I’ve learned, being busy doesn’t necessarily mean being productive. It doesn’t mean you’re moving your life or business in the right direction. I like to think of the old adage that a ladder is only useful if it’s leaning against the right wall. The same goes for your daily activities—make sure your efforts are aligned with the right goals.
Being busy can often mean doing a million different tasks at once, leaving you exhausted and proud of your hard work at the end of the day. But if that hard work isn’t propelling you forward—if it’s not aligned with your goals—then what’s the point?
After having kids, I was forced to take a closer look at how I was spending my time. I dissected my day and routine, scrutinizing every task I was doing. Over time, I discovered ways to save minutes here and there—minutes that eventually added up to hours, and then to days.
I learned to identify the tasks that were most valuable for me to complete personally and started delegating much more. I implemented systems for my team to follow and trained them to keep those systems updated.
This shift allowed me to stay efficient and focus on what truly mattered most in my life and business—the things that only I could do and that truly moved me forward.
Parenthood taught me the importance of focusing my limited time on what truly matters, enabling me to achieve the same, if not greater, results than before and with much less available time.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by busyness, I encourage you to take a step back and evaluate where your time is going. You might just find that a few small changes can make a world of difference in both your personal and professional life.
Easy-to-Use Time Management Audit
To help you get started, here’s a simple time management audit you can use to assess where your time is going:
✅ Track Your Time: For one week, log everything you do during the day in 15-minute increments. Be honest with yourself—every task, every distraction, everything.
✅ Categorize Your Tasks: At the end of the week, categorize your activities. Are they personal tasks, work-related tasks, or distractions? How many of them are essential, and how many could have been delegated or eliminated?
✅ Analyze for Alignment: Review your tasks and ask yourself, “Which of these activities are moving me toward my goals? Which are just keeping me busy?”
✅ Identify Time Wasters: Highlight any tasks or activities that you could cut back on or eliminate altogether. This could be excessive meetings, social media scrolling, or tasks that others could handle.
✅ Create a Plan: Based on your findings, create a plan to optimize your time. Focus on delegating non-essential tasks, eliminating distractions, and prioritizing what truly matters.
Actionable Tips for Better Time Management
Here are some actionable tips to help you make the most of your time:
⏳ Set Clear Priorities: Identify the top 3-5 tasks that are most important each day. Focus on completing these before moving on to anything else.
⏳ Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar tasks together and tackle them in one go. For example, handle all your emails at once, rather than sporadically throughout the day.
⏳ Use Time Blocks: Assign specific time blocks in your schedule for focused work. During these blocks, eliminate distractions and dedicate your attention solely to the task at hand.
⏳ Delegate Effectively: Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks that others can handle. Freeing up your time allows you to focus on what truly matters.
⏳ Review and Adjust: Regularly review your time management strategies and adjust as needed. What worked last month might need tweaking as your responsibilities change.
In Closing
Becoming a parent changed everything for me, including how I view time and productivity. I used to think that being busy meant I was at the top of my game, but now I see that true productivity is about more than just ticking boxes, it's about moving the needle in a positive direction.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the hustle, I challenge you to take a closer look at where your time is going. A few small adjustments could make all the difference. You don’t need more hours in the day—you just need to spend them differently.
The tips and audit I’ve shared here are tools that have helped me transform my approach to work and life. They’ve allowed me to be present where it matters most, to get more done with less stress, and to build the business I’ve always envisioned. I hope they do the same for you.
Remember, it's not about doing more, it's about doing what truly counts. So, take that first step today, and start using your time to build the life and business you want.
Related articles:
Industry news:
My take: We’ve all seen the big players like WM making moves, but don’t let that intimidate you. Being small is our advantage—an opportunity to thrive with the right strategies.
Rising Competition: With WM expanding and snapping up smaller companies, the competition is only getting fiercer. We’ve got to stay sharp and find ways to stand out in this crowded space.
Pricing Pressure: WM’s got the scale to optimize pricing, which means we need to be on our game when it comes to managing costs and staying competitive. Every dollar counts.
Tech and Efficiency: WM is pouring money into tech to streamline operations. We might not have their budget, but adopting the right tools and tech can give us a serious edge in efficiency.
Market Consolidation: As WM keeps acquiring, it’s a reminder that the industry is consolidating. This is our cue to find and dominate those niche markets where we can really shine.
Financial Resilience: WM’s cash flow is strong, and that’s a lesson for us—keeping our finances in check and reinvesting smartly is key to staying resilient and ready for whatever comes next.
So, what’s the game plan? Let’s leverage our agility, personal touch, and customer connections. Focus on niche markets, smart tech, and financial discipline. We’ve got what it takes to turn the tide and make our mark, no matter the competition!
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Justin Hubbard
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