Time Management for the Real World: My Struggles and Solutions
Happy New Year, Chief of Stuff subscribers!
It’s been a while, I know. The past few months have been spent getting acclimated to my new role as Head of Operations at the DMZ and reflecting on what I want out of my life and career in 2025.
But if I’m being completely honest, the radio silence has been less about personal or professional changes and more about my poor time management.
I’ve always thought of myself as incredibly productive and efficient. But recently, I realized that this is only true at work. And the more productive and efficient I am at work, the more other areas of my life suffer: I spend less time with friends and loved ones, read fewer books, neglect planning trips or activities, write fewer blog posts, and let’s not even talk about my laundry.
So, I thought I’d share some of my struggles—and solutions—with you in the hope that they resonate. Maybe some of you have "make the most out of my time" as a resolution for 2025.
Struggle #1: The Black Vortex, a.k.a. My Phone
I spent a ridiculous amount of time on my phone toward the end of last year—doomscrolling or playing games that add zero cognitive value (looking at you, Merge Mansion). For those of you who know me personally, this might be surprising since I’m also a bit of a Luddite, but I reached a point where I couldn’t sit through a TV show episode without pulling out my iPhone to play a quick game of Sudoku.
Solutions:
I downloaded a productivity app that limits my time on certain apps every day (e.g., no Instagram after 7 p.m.).
I deleted all my game apps except one.
I deleted TikTok and Snapchat, leaving only Instagram. This might seem extreme, but as a Millennial, most of my friends are on IG anyway.
Struggle #2: 100% In-Office / Daily Commuting
For the first time since before the COVID pandemic, my job requires me to be in the office every day. I don’t mind it, but I had forgotten how much time commuting can waste if you’re not intentional about it. I also forgot how draining the experience can be—squishing with hundreds of strangers in confined spaces, braving Canadian winters or scorching summers, and rushing between subway lines for transfers. It really zaps your energy.
Solutions:
I now use my commutes as an opportunity to play the games I still have (Wordle, Crossword, Sudoku, Strands, Connections). This keeps me engaged in the moment and prevents me from wasting time on them later when I could be more productive.
When I get home, I take 10-15 minutes to recharge by myself before diving into the evening. Recharging for me means doing light chores like putting clothes away or decluttering my desk while taking deep breaths.
Struggle #3: Too Many True Crime Podcasts
I know, I know—I’m one of those people. Everyone has their guilty pleasure, and mine happens to be relaxing with spooky stories. But last month, I realized the number of podcasts I listened to far outweighed the ones I actually enjoyed. And although I tried to combine podcast listening with productive activities—like cleaning my apartment—I was actually spending hours a week lazily lounging with my AirPods in.
Solutions:
I deleted most of the true crime podcasts I was subscribed to, keeping only 2-3 that I truly find interesting.
I started following podcasts on politics, economics, tech, and general news. Now, if I want more shows to listen to, I’m learning something new at the same time.
Struggle #4: Not Enough Planning
Have you ever heard the saying, "Marriage is just two people asking each other what's for dinner until you die?" Well, speaking from experience, it’s not far off.
A big reason I’ve been unproductive at home is that, unlike my work life where I spend hours planning and managing projects, I wasn’t being intentional about my personal goals and responsibilities. Instead of spending time on the weekend planning meals and doing some meal prep, my husband and I would scramble to make dinner almost every night. This led to lost time that could have been better spent reading, writing, learning a new skill, or working out.
Solutions:
My husband and I now hold weekly meetings to plan our dinners for the week and make a grocery list. We also spend some time during the week prepping or pre-cooking ingredients.
When setting my goals for 2025, I made sure to break them down into smaller steps—this way, I can check them off like a to-do list, instead of just “manifesting” them.
Struggle #5: Not Enough Execution
Towards the end of last year, I got lazy. There's a particular blog post I've been meaning to write since September, but I never got around to it—not because I didn’t know what I wanted to write, or because I didn’t have time. It wasn’t because I was uninspired or facing a creative block. I simply procrastinated.
Solution:
I reminded myself of my strong work ethic and the habits that have helped me get this far in my career. I also reminded myself that I deserve to succeed personally, not just professionally. Finally, I reminded myself that there’s no substitute for a “Just Do It” mentality—and nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment that comes from completing something you want to do, not just something you have to do.
I’m hoping that 2025 will be my most productive year yet.
And I hope the same for you!
Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing, loved reading this post as ALWAYS!