Top 10 take aways from “168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think” by Laura Vanderkam
1. Everyone has the same amount of time: 168 hours per week.
2. The key to managing your time is to prioritize tasks and activities.
3. Quadrant 1 tasks are urgent and important, and should be your top priority.
4. Quadrant 2 tasks are important but not urgent, and should be scheduled for when you have time.
5. Quadrant 3 tasks are urgent but not important, and should be delegated or eliminated whenever possible.
6. Quadrant 4 tasks are not urgent and not important, and should be avoided whenever possible.
7. You need to create a schedule and stick to it in order to manage your time effectively.
8. You need to learn to delegate tasks to others in order to free up your time.
9. You need to learn to say no to requests for your time in order to protect your time for the things that are important to you.
10. You need to take care of yourself in order to be able to manage your time effectively.
II. The 4 Quadrants of Time Management
Laura Vanderkam’s book “168 Hours” introduces a time management framework that divides tasks into four quadrants:
- Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important
- Quadrant 2: Important but Not Urgent
- Quadrant 3: Urgent but Not Important
- Quadrant 4: Not Urgent and Not Important
The key to effective time management is to focus on Quadrant 2 tasks, which are important but not urgent. These are the tasks that will have the biggest impact on your life, but they’re often the ones that get pushed to the bottom of the pile.
To make sure you’re spending enough time on Quadrant 2 tasks, Vanderkam recommends creating a weekly schedule and blocking out time for these tasks. You can also use a tool like the Eisenhower Matrix to help you prioritize your tasks.
Quadrant 2: Important but Not Urgent
Quadrant 2 contains tasks that are important, but not urgent. These tasks are often the ones that we neglect, because they don’t have a deadline or a sense of urgency. However, these tasks are often the ones that have the biggest impact on our long-term goals.
For example, you might have a goal to learn a new language. Learning a new language is important, but it’s not urgent. You don’t have to learn a new language tomorrow. However, if you want to achieve your goal of learning a new language, you need to make time for it on a regular basis.
Tasks in Quadrant 2 are often the ones that we procrastinate on. We tell ourselves that we’ll start tomorrow, or next week, or next month. But the truth is, if we don’t start working on these tasks now, we’ll never get them done.
The key to managing Quadrant 2 tasks is to create a system for working on them on a regular basis. This could mean setting aside a specific time each day or week to work on them, or it could mean creating a habit of working on them whenever you have a few minutes of free time.
Whatever system you choose, the important thing is to make sure that you’re actually working on these tasks on a regular basis. If you don’t, they’ll just keep getting pushed to the bottom of your to-do list, and you’ll never get them done.
Quadrant 4: Not Urgent and Not Important
Quadrant 4 contains tasks that are neither urgent nor important. These tasks are often the most time-consuming and draining, but they also have the least impact on our lives. Examples of tasks in Quadrant 4 include checking email, social media, and online shopping.
The key to managing Quadrant 4 tasks is to be ruthless about what you do and don’t do. Ask yourself if each task is really necessary, and if it’s not, delete it from your list. You should also set aside specific times each day to check email and social media, so that you don’t get sucked into these activities all day long.
Quadrant 4 tasks are often the hardest to let go of, because they can be enjoyable or relaxing. However, it’s important to remember that these tasks are not a priority and they will not help you achieve your goals. If you want to be more productive and have more time for the things that matter, you need to learn to let go of Quadrant 4 tasks.
V. Quadrant 3: Urgent but Not Important
Quadrant 3 tasks are urgent but not important. They are often tasks that come up unexpectedly and need to be dealt with immediately. However, they are not tasks that will have a significant impact on your long-term goals.
Examples of Quadrant 3 tasks include:
- Responding to emails
- Making phone calls
- Meeting with colleagues
- Handling unexpected crises
The key to managing Quadrant 3 tasks is to delegate them whenever possible. If you can’t delegate them, try to batch them together so that you can deal with them all at once.
It is also important to set priorities for Quadrant 3 tasks. Some tasks may be more urgent than others, and you need to make sure that you deal with the most urgent tasks first.
Finally, it is important to be realistic about how much time you can spend on Quadrant 3 tasks. Don’t try to do too much, or you will end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
Top 10 take aways from “168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think” by Laura Vanderkam
1. Everyone has the same amount of time each day: 168 hours.
2. The key to time management is not to work more hours, but to work smarter.
3. The 4 quadrants of time management can help you prioritize your tasks and activities.
4. Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important tasks should be your top priority.
5. Quadrant 2: Important but Not Urgent tasks should be scheduled for a later time.
6. Quadrant 3: Urgent but Not Important tasks should be delegated or eliminated.
7. Quadrant 4: Not Urgent and Not Important tasks should be avoided or minimized.
8. You need to create a schedule and stick to it in order to manage your time effectively.
9. You need to learn to delegate tasks and say no to requests in order to free up your time.
10. You need to take care of yourself and make time for your personal life in order to be truly productive.
VII. How to Use the 4 Quadrants to Manage Your Time
The 4 quadrants of time management can be used to help you prioritize your tasks and manage your time more effectively. Here are a few tips for how to use the quadrants:
* **Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important**
This quadrant contains tasks that are both urgent and important. These tasks need to be completed immediately, and they have a significant impact on your goals. Examples of Quadrant 1 tasks include meeting deadlines, responding to urgent emails, and dealing with crises.
To manage Quadrant 1 tasks, it’s important to be organized and efficient. Create a to-do list and prioritize the most important tasks. Set deadlines for yourself and stick to them. And don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others if you need to.
* **Quadrant 2: Important but Not Urgent**
This quadrant contains tasks that are important, but they are not urgent. These tasks can often be put off until later, but they can have a big impact on your goals if you don’t complete them. Examples of Quadrant 2 tasks include planning for the future, developing your skills, and taking care of your health.
To manage Quadrant 2 tasks, it’s important to be proactive and plan ahead. Set aside time each week to work on these tasks, even if they’re not urgent. And don’t be afraid to break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.
* **Quadrant 3: Urgent but Not Important**
This quadrant contains tasks that are urgent, but they are not important. These tasks can often be delegated to others or avoided altogether. Examples of Quadrant 3 tasks include responding to unimportant emails, attending unnecessary meetings, and doing busywork.
To manage Quadrant 3 tasks, it’s important to be selective and only focus on the tasks that are absolutely necessary. Learn to say no to requests that aren’t a good use of your time. And delegate tasks to others whenever possible.
* **Quadrant 4: Not Urgent and Not Important**
This quadrant contains tasks that are neither urgent nor important. These tasks can often be eliminated altogether. Examples of Quadrant 4 tasks include watching TV, surfing the internet, and playing video games.
To manage Quadrant 4 tasks, it’s important to be ruthless and eliminate as many of these tasks as possible. Make a list of all the things you do in a day, and then categorize them into the 4 quadrants. See if you can find any Quadrant 4 tasks that you can eliminate or reduce.
By using the 4 quadrants of time management, you can learn to prioritize your tasks and manage your time more effectively. This will help you to achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.
Tips for Effective Time Management
Here are 10 tips for effective time management:
- Set priorities and focus on the most important tasks.
- Create a schedule and stick to it.
- Delegate tasks to others when possible.
- Take breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout.
- Learn to say no to new commitments.
- Eliminate distractions from your work area.
- Use technology to your advantage.
- Get enough sleep and eat healthy foods to maintain your energy levels.
- Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day.
By following these tips, you can improve your time management skills and get more done in less time.
In conclusion, the book “168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think” by Laura Vanderkam offers a number of practical tips for how to manage your time better, make changes in your life, and be more productive. By following the principles outlined in this book, you can take control of your time and create a life that is both fulfilling and meaningful.