How Successful People Manage Their Time Using 5 Daily Hacks
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When you think of successful people, how do you think their lives work? Do you imagine billionaires who swim in pools and drink champagne? Are you seeing workaholics who spend 90% of their life in the office? The truth is that the most successful people in the world manage their time well. They know how to make the most of their work hours. At the same time, they also know how to relax and enjoy themselves. In other words, these people know how to maintain balance in their time and focus.
If you’re looking to learn how successful people manage their time, then you’re in the right place! As a self-made millionaire, I’ve spent a lot of time studying how the best of the best have lived. Sure, their work ethic can be astounding. However, it’s all about the way they use their time. Here are seven daily hacks that successful people use to maximize their time.
What do successful people do to manage their time?
1. Wake up at the same time every day.
What it is:
The way people wake up in the morning has been a widely debated topic. Some people preach the power of having an alarm clock. Others lean towards having a good night’s sleep and waking up naturally. While both sides have merit, they can all be combined into one simple habit: waking up at the same time every day.
For those wondering how successful people manage their time, waking up is the first step. It sets the tone for the rest of your day. Plus, it can help you start the day off right when it becomes a habit.
Why it’s effective:
Firstly, let’s focus on the sleeping part of this hack. Everyone knows, or at least they should know, that getting enough sleep makes a big difference. With the right amount of rest, your body recharges for another day of tasks and errands. Sleep too long, and you feel sluggish. Sleep too little, and you feel exhausted. Getting it around eight hours? Now that will give you enough energy to get started on the right foot.
However, it’s not just getting proper sleep that matters. Waking up at the same time every day trains your brain to get productive quickly. If you always get up by 6 AM, your body will soon learn to energize quicker. Studies show that those who follow their natural circadian rhythms AKA the sleep cycle promote better sleep. In turn, this can lead to better productivity in the long run.
How to get started:
To learn how successful people manage their time, you have to remember that these habits take time. So, if you want to wake up at the same time every day, you need to train your body. First, always choose a definitive time to go to sleep. By resting consistently at the same hour, you get your circadian rhythm to follow a pattern.
For waking up, practice by setting an alarm or noting the regular time that you wake up. Once that happens, make it a practice to get up once you awaken. Discipline yourself by avoiding the snooze button or letting yourself rest in bed after a few minutes. In time, your body will learn that wake-up time is the time to get moving.
2. Keep learning.
What it is:
Many young people assume that finishing high school is more than enough to make a living. According to Education Data Initiative, about 94% of adults between the ages of 25 and 29 have a high school diploma. However, the percentage of those who get associate degrees is only 49%; further, down the line, only 39% get a bachelor’s degree, and around 9% go as far as a master's degree.
While learning doesn’t have to include a degree, it does sound as if people are fine with what they’ve studied in high school. Beyond that, they might only focus on specialized lessons or hobbies. However, the reason that successful people manage their time well is that they also take time to learn. They don’t settle with one or two lessons. They take time to learn more about their work, such as marketing, budgeting and finance, and networking with people abroad.
Why it’s effective:
Learning isn’t just about getting information. It can also be a great confidence booster. Taking the initiative to gain new skills or knowledge is what separates the complacent from the competitive. Those who want to succeed in life don’t assume that they have all the tools necessary. Instead, they think about what the next step is and how they can improve.
For example, a novice writer might be content with finishing one draft of their story and stopping there. However, a dedicated writer won’t settle for one draft. They’ll make several more to improve and perfect their craft. They’ll reach out to other authors to learn feedback and gain tips. They’ll even ask publishers and editors to give constructive feedback. Even if it takes a hundred drafts, dedicated writers want to learn more about how to be better at their job. It’s that kind of dedication that makes icons like Stephen King and Neil Gaiman legendary.
How to get started:
Thanks to the internet, there are so many ways you can start learning new skills or ideas. The best part is that you don’t even have to pay for them. Yes, some platforms give you a good price for learning. However, you can also enjoy free YouTube videos, public conferences, and online publications about whatever you want to know.
The best way to start is to focus on what you want to learn. Think of the skills and passions that you have or want to know. They can be related to your current job, your dream job, your side hustle, or even your hobby. Take that into consideration as you explore the internet. Check out videos that answer questions you have. Look for questions that you didn’t think of but still capture your interest. Above all else, always look for the next step. Once you stay curious, you’ll find it easy to learn how successful people manage their time.
3. Stay healthy.
What it is:
It’s a fact that mental health and physical health have been directly linked to one another. The way you live, from the food you eat to the exercise you do, makes a big difference. For one thing, it can lead to a better mood overall. There are plenty of studies about how exercise and diet can lead to more positive moods and better outlooks in life.
Beyond that, there is also the matter of your health. Sure, having candy now and then might not be so bad. However, imagine what will happen to your body if you do it every day. All that sugar can cause serious problems, from obesity to diabetes. If you want to make your future bright, you have to ensure that it is a healthy and long-lasting future. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself battling conditions and problems that you could’ve otherwise avoided.
Why it’s effective:
Studies have shown that diet and exercise can trigger the production of endorphins. Also known as the “happiness hormone”, it’s what makes you feel better when things seem hard. Endorphins can help you manage your stress, which many successful people have to grapple with every day. Plus, being healthy can bring confidence to your life.
How to get started:
When it comes to exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends 150-250 minutes per week. How you do it depends on your preference. Some people like to do hour-long workouts with weights and calisthenics. Others prefer low-impact exercises, like yoga and dancing. What matters is that you make exercise a part of your daily routine. You can start with walks around the block or a light jog across the park. Remember that you should also stretch before and after exercise, to keep your limbs from aching.
For diet, the main principle is to watch what you eat. You don’t need to cut out all sugar or sweets in your life. Celebrities like The Rock enjoy snacks like chocolate chip cookies. However, the key is moderation. The Rock may enjoy cookies, but that doesn’t mean he eats them every day. He maintains a strict diet, only indulging himself on certain days.
You can start the same way by keeping to a calorie count limit for five days straight. Then, you can enjoy one cheat meal on the sixth day. Don’t make your cheat meals last the entire day, though. Alternatively, you could also maintain a diet that fits your budget or reduce the amount of food you eat. Whatever method you want, keep in mind that it has to fit your lifestyle. Otherwise, you’d only feel burdened by the effort.
4. Connect with loved ones.
What it is:
If you want to know how successful people manage their time, you might think it’s all work and no play. For you, the idea of success can look like an endless grind. Perhaps you’re worried that you’ll become a hermit or a workaholic. However, becoming successful doesn’t mean excluding your social life. Connecting with your friends and family can be as important as having a hardworking attitude.
For example, Gary V is a famous personality and entrepreneur. He has focused his weekdays on doing all his work and building his businesses. However, on the weekends, he devotes all that time to his family. In other words, you can be like Gary V and divide your time between your work life and personal life. There’s always enough time for both.
Why it’s effective:
First, let’s clarify what a “loved one” is. Ideally, this should be someone who matters most in your life. Family members, close friends, and children can all fit under this label. So, if you’re looking to connect to people, focus on those who are important to you. It’s not about looking for a high follower count online, but about finding the most meaningful connections.
So, why does this matter? Studies have shown that those who are lonely or isolated have increased cortisol levels, which is linked to stress and depression. In other words, being alone can cause more problems and worries in your life. By having people you care about, you gain pillars of moral support and motivation. Dr. John Gottman of the Gottman Institute believes that all people have an emotional bank account, where they can gain more resilience. Stronger social connections give you more resilience, which can help you withstand stressful times and problematic situations.
Furthermore, connecting with loved ones can lead to a better quality of life. Would you rather come home to an empty and quiet house? Or would you rather come home into the welcoming arms of your loved ones? The latter can refresh your day and give you a better mindset at work and in life.
How to get started:
Count yourself lucky that you now live in the digital age. In the past, people had to rely on letters and patience to connect with their loved ones. Most people today couldn’t imagine waiting a week without hearing from their closest friends and family, let alone years.
So, make the most of technology by connecting to them as much as possible. You don’t need to do it every second, but even ten minutes of a conversation can be more than enough. You can also look for other ways to stay in touch, such as group chats or email.
In addition, don’t forget the power of a face-to-face meetup. Hanging out and focusing your time on your loved ones can be more powerful than a single video call. The key here is to put your attention to the moment. Don’t keep switching to your phone when you’re having a family hangout or going on a nice date. This is the time to think of your loved ones, so focus on them, not yourself or your screen.
5. Have a hobby.
What it is:
Working isn’t the only part of your life that can bring success. Did you know that famous celebrities and entrepreneurs devote some time to their hobbies? For example, world-famous singer Beyoncé loves to do beekeeping. La La Land actor Ryan Gosling spends his downtime knitting. Microsoft founder Bill Gates likes to go to a cabin and lock himself up, spending his time reading all kinds of books.
In other words, all these famous and successful people balance their time with hobbies. They find a passion or interest that they enjoy, then spend a portion of their time learning it. It’s a fun way to divert your mind and give some variety in your life. However, it’s also a great way to enhance your knowledge and develop other talents or interests.
Why it’s effective:
Hobbies are a great way to train your mind to think. By studying something that you already like or are curious about, you can divert your mind from other tasks. For example, some people enjoy washing the dishes. It might seem like a chore, but it can give their mind a break from having to work and concentrate. It can even let them wander in their thoughts for a bit. By giving yourself that headspace, you allow your mind room to breathe. It’s like falling asleep, only that you’re still awake and doing something else than laying around.
In addition, having hobbies can help you start to develop new ideas and interests in the long run. During the pandemic, many people lost their jobs and had to find other ways to make money. By pursuing their hobbies, such as live streaming content or baking pastries, they managed to build a side hustle to sustain their lifestyles. Some have even turned those secondary jobs into their main line of work.
How to get started:
If you want to start finding a hobby, look into yourself and your preferences. Think of the things that used to appeal to you as a kid. For example, if you enjoyed taking pictures before, you could start to learn about photography and photo development. You could also look into things that appeal to you, like ships or birdwatching.
What’s important is that you remember to enjoy what you learn. Learning how successful people manage their time shouldn’t be about what you do. It should also make you feel fulfilled or satisfied. After all, a hobby can be the perfect mental diversion you need to get your mind off your other tasks.
So, what does it all mean?
Understanding how successful people manage their time all centers on the choices they make. Successful people develop habits that help them live a focused and fulfilling life. It’s not just a single act or a simple routine. Instead, it’s about making the right decisions and learning to balance it all.
For instance, they wake up at the same time every day to kickstart their energy. They continue to study and learn new things, sometimes to improve their work and sometimes to enjoy a new hobby. They also balance their lifestyle, from spending time to diet and exercise to connecting with their loved ones. In all these cases, it’s a conscious effort to improve oneself. So, if you want to become successful, find a way to make these habits part of your life.
Takeaways:
- Successful people wake up at the same time every day to set the tone for the rest of their day and train their brains to get productive quickly.
- Successful people keep learning to gain new skills or knowledge, which can be a great confidence booster and help them stay competitive.
- Successful people stay healthy by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly, which can trigger the production of endorphins and lead to a better mood overall.
- Successful people connect with loved ones, which can provide moral support, and motivation, and lead to a better quality of life.
- Successful people have a hobby, which can divert their minds from other tasks and help them develop new ideas and interests.
- Successful people balance their work and personal life by dividing their time between their work and personal life, finding enough time for both.
- Understanding how successful people manage their time all centers on the choices they make, and it’s about making the right decisions and learning to balance it all.
Did you enjoy reading this article and learn a thing or two? Why not spread the knowledge and share it with your loved ones? Plus, if you’re interested in learning more about becoming a millennial millionaire, I’ve got you covered! Download my FREE book here and discover the most effective strategies to achieve financial success. Let’s take a step closer to our millionaire dreams!
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- Hanson, M. (2021, November 22). Educational Attainment Statistics [2023]: Levels by Demographic. Education Data Initiative.
- Nagpal, A. (2017, June 30). 7 Reasons Why Continuous Learning is Important. LinkedIn.
- Peters, B. (2023, January 15). First Step to Better Sleep: Wake Up at the Same Time Every Day. Verywell Health.
- Short, A. Accessed on March 14, 2023. 7 Reasons Why Having A Hobby Is Important (& 25 Ideas To Get You Started). Life Goals Mag.
- W, K. (2022, January 15). How to Surround Yourself with Positive People. LinkedIn.
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Being successful as a person can both be learned and taught, but you must have the willingness to overcome obstacles and create habits that will make you more successful . I will give you the systems that will do both.
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