What the Wealthy Know About Time That You Don't – Until Now. (Part 2)

Hi there,

Do you often find your day slipping away without achieving what you planned? You're not alone. Many of us fall into "time traps"—patterns that quietly steal our time and drain our energy. This newsletter is about identifying these traps and making smart changes to reclaim control over how we use our time.

Here’s a challenge for you: As you read, try to spot at least one time trap you’ve fallen into. Once you identify it, I'll guide you through a thoughtful decision to change this pattern. This small step can have a big impact on managing your time and boosting your energy.

Tweet-sized Nuggets:

Time Trap #1: Fragmented Focus Due to Technology (Tech distractions split our focus.)

• Devices meant to help us manage schedules often cause constant interruptions.

• Do Instead: Schedule specific times for checking emails and messages to minimize distractions.

Time Trap #2: Overvaluing Money Over Time 

• We often sacrifice time chasing extra wealth that doesn’t buy joy beyond a certain threshold.

• Do Instead: Prioritize tasks that add value to your life over those that merely increase income.

• Quiet evenings before the baby arrives are golden now, rather than that extra email, I value quality quiet time with Enkhi.

Time Trap #3: Undervaluing Our Time 

• Choosing money-saving over time-saving, even when it’s not cost-effective.

• Do Instead: Invest in services or tools that save time, like grocery delivery or hiring help.

• The other day I calculated the time it takes to go to Costco to gas the car to save $0.30/gallon. It’s exchanging $108 for about 14 hours in a year! (Calculation below if you’re interested)*

Time Trap #4: Busyness as a Status Symbol 

• Long work hours are often seen as a badge of importance but can lead to unhappiness.

• Do Instead: Set boundaries for work hours and make time for personal life and relaxation.

Time Trap #5: Fear of Slowing Down 

• Avoiding idleness can prevent mental rest and keep stress levels high.

• Do Instead: Integrate quiet, idle moments into your daily routine to help lower stress and enhance creativity.

Time Trap #6: Overestimating Future Time 

• The "planning fallacy" leads us to overcommit, filling our future schedules unrealistically.

• Do Instead: Be realistic about your daily capacity and avoid overloading your schedule.

• I used to overcommit weekly, leaving no room for unexpected needs. Setting aside weekly time blocks for serendipity has revolutionized my schedule management.

Time Trap #7: Digital Overload 

• Endless virtual meetings and digital multitasking lead to exhaustion.

• Do Instead: Allocate specific times for digital detox to recharge and reduce 'Zoom Fatigue'.

Understanding the Impact: 

These time traps not only steal our hours but also our peace of mind, creating stress that makes us feel like victims of our circumstances. This stress leads to apathy and inaction, as we lose ownership over our own time. By becoming aware of these traps, we reclaim control of our time.

Keep Growing,

Your Friend and Coach,

Carlos

If these ideas strike a chord, don’t miss the chance to dive deeper.

Don’t miss the Masterclass, “Unlock Productivity: Master Time, Harness Potential and Unleash the Leader Within” on April 30th at 17:00 PST / 20:00 Quito / 20:00 EST, and for our friends in Asia, May 1st at 8:00 AM. [Register Here]

Expect an hour packed with valuable insights and a workbook filled with practical tools to enhance your productivity.

P.S. I’ve condensed a library’s worth of insights into tweet-sized nuggets. Think one of these time traps deserves more of your time? Hit reply with the one you want to unpack, and I'll send over a detailed exploration tailored just for you.

P.S.2. Calculation of my average trip to Costco for gas:

• 30 cents × 15 gallons = $4.50 saved per trip

• $4.50 × 2 visits per month = $9.00 saved per month

• $9.00 per month × 12 months = $108 saved per year

Now, let’s see the time trap of Undervaluing Our Time

• (20 minutes per trip + 15 minutes waiting for the pump) × 2 visits per month = 70 minutes lost per month

• 70 minutes per month × 12 months = 840 minutes (or 14 hours) lost per year

Looking at it this way, I would spend almost fourteen hours to save $108.