Is it just me, or has the world suddenly hit fast-forward again?
For a while, post-COVID, life slowed down. Fewer meetings. Less travel. More breathing room.
But now? It’s like someone turned the volume up to 11, and I’m back to juggling a never-ending barrage of tasks, emails, and meetings.
I pride myself on integrating work and life well. But lately? I feel like I’m drowning in time-sucking activities, leaving me with little bandwidth for the deep, strategic work my role demands.
How did I let this happen? Maybe it’s the back-to-back months of travel talking, but if I’m honest, I’ve fallen into the classic trap of letting everyone else dictate my schedule.
And that’s dangerous.
Because when we lose control of our most valuable resource—time—stress creeps in. And we all know where that road leads: burnout, declining health, and strained relationships.
So, what’s the fix?
I returned to some tried-and-true time management strategies that have worked for me. If you feel the same way, these may help you, too.
My Strategic Time Management Playbook
1. Prioritize What Actually Moves the Needle
Use the 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle): 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. Focus on those high-impact activities.
2. Protect Deep Work Blocks Like Your Life Depends on It
No emails, no meetings, no distractions. Block time for strategic projects and creative thinking.
3. Delegate (Even When It’s Hard)
Not everything needs your personal touch. Empower your team to handle the lower-impact decisions. I am fortunate to have an outstanding team. As a leader, you need to invest your time and energy into building your team, but that’s for another article, another day.
4. Align Deep Work with Peak Energy Levels
Know your high-focus windows. For me, mornings are prime time for strategy and writing.
5. Use Accountability to Keep Momentum
I struggle with this one. That’s why I lean on structured check-ins (hello, writing coach) and my PR team to keep me honest.
Need an Example? Here’s My Ideal Daily Schedule for Maximum Effectiveness
Now, do I stick to this every day? Absolutely not. Life happens. But when I do, my productivity soars.
Morning – Deep Work & Strategic Thinking
- 5:45 – 6:30 AM | Breakfast & Reading (No emails—just inspiration)
- 7:00 – 8:00 AM | Workout (Physical fitness = mental clarity)
- 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Deep Work – Strategic Projects (Peak Focus Time)
- 9:30 – 10:30 AM | Batch Meetings (Contain the chaos)
- 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Deep Work – Writing (500+ words daily)
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch & Admin (Low-stakes tasks)
Afternoon – Meetings & Execution
- 12:30 – 2:30 PM | Meetings / Team Check-ins
- 2:30 – 3:00 PM | Break / Quick Walk (Recharge before final push)
- 3:00 – 4:30 PM | Strategic Execution (Critical priorities, finalizing high-impact work)
- 4:30 – 5:15 PM | Wrap-up & Plan for Tomorrow
Evening – Unwind & Reflect
- 6:00 – 6:30 PM | Dinner
- 6:30 – 7:00 PM | Down Time – Reading
- 7:00 – 8:00 PM | Down Time – TV, Music, Reading -or- Creative Thinking or Writing (Optional, and it rarely happens, but nice when the energy is there)
- 8:00 – 9:00 PM | Wind Down (Because sleep is non-negotiable)
Here Are Some of the Execution Tactics I Try to Embrace
- Deep Work = Non-Negotiable. Treat it like an unmissable meeting.
- Batch Meetings. Keep them in the afternoon to protect high-focus time.
- Pre-Plan Tomorrow. Spend 15 minutes mapping priorities—your brain will thank you.
- Say No (or Delegate). Free up your mental bandwidth for what actually matters.
Here Are the Tools I Use to Keep Me on Track
1. The Ivy Lee Method (Simple & Effective)
- Write down 6 key tasks for tomorrow.
- Rank them in order of importance.
- Start with #1, and don’t move on until it’s done.
- If unfinished, roll it over to the next day.
Why It Works: Prevents scattered focus. Eliminates morning decision fatigue. Ensures progress on what matters most.
2. Warren Buffett’s 5/25 Rule (For Sorting Through Too Much to do and Gaining Extreme Focus)
- Write down your top 25 priorities.
- Circle the 5 that truly matter.
- Ignore everything else until those are complete.
Why It Works: It forces ruthless prioritization and eliminates busy work. It helps you get everything out of your head.
Finally, My Secret Weapon: The CEO’s “Not-To-Do” List
If you really want to protect your time, know what NOT to do:
❌ Tasks I should delegate.
❌ Things that seem urgent but don’t move the business forward.
❌ Energy-draining activities with no real return.
Because let’s be honest—sometimes, the best way to get more done is to stop doing things that don’t matter.
Progress, Not Perfection
This all probably sounds like a lot. And, to be fair, it is. But here’s the truth: even if you only implement a few of these strategies, you’ll reclaim hours in your day.
Some days, I nail my schedule. Other days, it’s a complete disaster. But the key is to reset, refocus, and keep moving forward.
Because the real goal isn’t just to be productive—it’s to free up time for what truly matters.
Now, over to you: What’s your best time management hack? Drop it in the comments—I’m always looking for more ways to work smarter and love learning from you all.