9 Minimalist Habits to Save You Time and Boost Productivity

May 18, 2024
Photo by Pierre Châtel-Innocenti on Unsplash

Minimalism is a way of living that encourages mindful decision-making and the practice of moderation.

It's a liberating way of living that lets us take charge of our time and energy.

By streamlining our daily routines, we increase our efficiency and eliminate extra work — this allows us to get the most out of each day, reducing stress and giving us more time to enjoy life.

Below are nine minimalist practices designed to help you reclaim hours of your time:.

Let’s dive in!

Here’s your strategy: choose one item daily that’s either not doing its job, fails to bring happiness, or just doesn’t fit with your current flow.

Then, bid it farewell.

Your mission, should you decide to take it on: concentrate on getting rid of just one item each day. Think of it as a daily detox for your stuff.

Why? Because, honestly, many of us are overwhelmed by a flood of “stuff” that claims to offer comfort and value but typically misses the mark.

As you bid farewell to these items, something almost magical occurs:.

  • Your space transforms into a tranquil sanctuary, fostering a sharp focus and clear mind akin to that of a ninja.
  • All of a sudden, you're paying closer attention to what you buy, thinking carefully about each purchase, and often asking yourself the important question: “Do I really need or value this in my life?”.

How about making this a fun contest? Partner up with a friend and see who can keep it up the longest — whoever skips a day first is out.

Picture this: a neat and simplified wardrobe collection, thoughtfully selected to mix and match effortlessly throughout the season or even all year long.

Prioritize quality instead of quantity, streamline your wardrobe, and enjoy stress-free mornings.

Now, let's dive into some statistics. Marks & Spencer reports that the typical individual dedicates an astonishing 17 minutes each day to picking out what to wear. Over a lifetime, this adds up to a staggering four full days or six months solely spent on selecting outfits.

Mind-blowing, right?

So, let’s explore the secrets of capsule magic. Here’s the game plan:.

  1. Choose the quantity of pieces, which can range from 25 to 50.
  2. Go through your belongings.
  3. Select an incredible color scheme.
  4. Hold on to those vital, adaptable pieces.
  5. Give away what doesn't pass muster.

Let’s discuss financial principles. For me, there are 10 that I adhere to faithfully, and here’s Rule #3: “Buy the best and keep it as long as possible.”

You might find this hard to believe, but opting for the cheaper option tends to cost more in the long run. Allow me to explain...

  1. Hidden costs. Inexpensive products usually equate to poorer quality, resulting in the need for frequent repairs. Conversely, premium items are designed for durability, typically come with warranties, and offer dependable customer service, thereby minimizing the necessity for ongoing fixes.
  2. Performance matters. Opting for cheaper products can lead to subpar specifications, resulting in daily inefficiencies. In contrast, high-quality items offer exceptional performance, ensuring a smoother and more productive experience.
  3. Frequent replacement. Inexpensive items tend to deteriorate fast, resulting in the need for more frequent replacements and ultimately, increased expenses in the long run. On the other hand, premium products endure more wear and tear, providing durability and reducing the need for replacements.
  4. Customer service. Bargain products frequently lead to subpar support, resulting in frustration and consuming valuable time. On the other hand, high-quality items typically include dependable customer service from well-established companies.

So, how does this relate to my 32-piece wardrobe, all from one brand? They may not be the most budget-friendly, but by keeping my wardrobe minimal, I'm prioritizing quality, comfort, and durability.

Sure, I invested a bit more initially, but it’s a smart financial decision over time. Invest wisely, and save more..

Typically, we dedicate an impressive 28% of our workday to handling emails — that's around 120 messages daily, and we end up checking our inbox approximately 11 times every hour.

That's 88 times in a typical workday.

Now comes the real question: Is your inbox an asset or a time thief? It's time for a closer inspection.

  • For every email you send, consider asking yourself, "Is this essential and helpful?".
  • If the answer is ‘no,’ just go ahead and click that unsubscribe button.
  • Don’t simply ignore or delete them; doing so only postpones the inevitable and messes up your digital space.

Unsubscribing frees you from the clutter of unnecessary emails, allowing you to concentrate on what really counts.

So, get ready and start pressing that ‘unsubscribe’ button. Liberate yourself from the nightmare of endless emails; one click is all it takes.

I can't perform miracles when it comes to money, but I do have a powerful tool: automation. Rather than managing bills with the skill of a circus juggler, let's allow our finances to handle themselves, giving you more mental freedom.

No, we’re not aiming for a fully hands-off strategy; that could potentially backfire. The goal is to transition from meticulously managing every cent to overseeing it from afar.

Here are the keys:

  • Set up automatic monthly payments.
  • Say goodbye to those unused subscriptions.
  • Arrange for automatic deposits into your investments.
  • Allow a part of your salary to effortlessly flow into your savings.

How do we create this wonder? Say goodbye to intricate spreadsheets..

Why does this matter? Awareness. Before you venture into the financial world, it's crucial to grasp the landscape.

Once you have the details, you can set up automation and tweak your financial actions, such as:

  • Combining bill due dates
  • Establishing automatic payments..
  • Streamlining your budget automatically...

Full disclosure: I've completely automated my finances. I set everything up once and then just let it run. From paying bills to handling investments, I want to focus on planning, not get bogged down with financial chores.

Let’s chat about our reliable companion, the phone — a genuine time-eater if not kept in check. Prepared to disarm this tech behemoth?

Here’s the battle plan:

  1. Set screen time limits: Tame the beast by curbing its feeding hours.
  2. Grayscale mode: Remove the charm of bright colors, making it less attractive.
  3. Disable non-emergency notifications: Put an end to the endless demands for your focus.
  4. Add friction with apps like ‘one sec’: Create small hurdles to reduce mindless consumption.
  5. Delete time-wasting apps: If they don’t bring any benefit, they’re out.
  6. Organize apps into folders: Group them according to their function.
  7. Set time limits for specific apps: Be intentional with how you use social media.
  8. Utilize ‘Do Not Disturb’: Mute notifications that aren't essential.
  9. Create physical distance: Store it out of reach when it isn't required.

Personally, I’ve established daily social media time limits, tucked them away in folders, and frequently use the ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode. Let’s make our phones work for us, not against us.

According to businessman Tim Collins: “If you have more than three priorities, then you don’t have any.”

Having just three priorities might seem minimal, but it's essential to keep your priorities laser-focused. When you take on too much, your efforts become more spread out and less effective.

Craft a killer to-do list:

  1. Sure, I'd be happy to help! Please provide the text you'd like me to rewrite.
  2. Focus on your priorities without hesitation.
  3. Make it a part of your routine.

Looking for a little guidance? Try out the Ivy Lee Method. Here’s the shortened version:.

  1. Create a list of the six most important tasks you need to tackle tomorrow.
  2. Put them at the top of your list.
  3. Address them sequentially, handling each one individually.
  4. If a few tasks remain incomplete, move them over to the next day.

Have you ever come across the 2-Minute Rule? It’s a game-changer.

Here’s the golden nugget: If a job can be done in under 2 minutes, tackle it right away. Why? Because those little tasks often grow into massive ones the more we put them off.

Today, we have control over our energy, workload, and limits. However, tomorrow is uncertain.

Restless night? Last-minute meeting? Unexpected illness? Life happens, and it disregards our meticulously planned schedules.

So, handle those quick tasks today to avoid tomorrow being overwhelmed by a flood of small tasks.

Let’s ensure our productivity remains uninterrupted by steering clear of the growing pile of minor tasks that can dominate our focus over more significant priorities.

Have you ever imagined taking a Charlie’s Chocolate Factory-style tour of our minds? Picture it as a bustling creation factory, teeming with problem-solving machines, creativity presses, and idea printers.

But here’s the catch: our ‘mind factory’ is designed for generating ideas, not storing them. Holding onto ideas disrupts our production capabilities.

To steer clear of this disaster, make sure to jot down any idea that sparks excitement or piques your interest. Wondering how? Utilize tools such as Notion or simply your phone’s notes app.

And there you have it — 9 minimalist habits that can save you hours. I trust that the examples and explanations in this guide will assist you in embracing the freeing power of minimalism.

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