Time Robbers: How to Reclaim Your Time and Boost Productivity

Why would we want to waste time when we need every minute? Identify your time robbers and get it back!

Let’s face it: there never seems to be enough time in the day. Between family, work, social life, and everything else on our plates, it can feel impossible to stay on top of everything.

But have you ever wondered why it feels like time is slipping through your fingers?

The truth is, we all have things that “steal” our time. Sara Ward, a master teacher of executive function, calls them time robbers. They sneak in, often unnoticed, and minimize our productivity. 

In this post, I will introduce you to four major categories of time robbers. Once you recognize them, you can take control, remove or replan around them, and make better use of your precious time.

1. My Body: Hunger, Thirst, or Fatigue

When we’re hungry, thirsty, or exhausted, our productivity plummets. Not only do these physical needs take up time in the form of breaks, but they also reduce our ability to focus on tasks. For example, did you ever try cooking late Thursday night only to discover that due to fatigue you omitted salt and pepper in the potato kugel? (Been there, done that 🙂

Solution:

The fix here is simple—take care of yourself. Plan regular meals, snacks, and hydration throughout the day to ensure your energy stays high. If you know you’re prone to mid-afternoon fatigue, prep an energy drink or an iced coffee to keep you going through the afternoon rush. If you’re sleep deprived (as many of us are), try 10 minute power naps; you may be surprised at how different you will feel!

2. My Organization: Supplies and Materials Are All Over the Place

Another sneaky time robber is disorganization. Whether it’s a cluttered desk, a messy inbox, or scattered materials for a project, a lack of organization wastes precious minutes (or hours) as we search for what we need. When you’re constantly hunting down missing items or trying to figure out what’s next, you’re not getting work done efficiently.

Solution:

To beat this time robber, develop simple organizational systems. Create a designated space for everything, whether it’s physical or digital. A well-organized workspace, clean files, and clear to-do lists can do wonders for your productivity. Spend 10 minutes at the end of each day putting things back in their place, or set up a system for managing your materials and tasks. This will make it much easier to find what you need when you need it.

3. My Focus: Distractions from My Phone and External Interruptions

In today’s digital age, distractions are everywhere, especially our phones. Social media, group chats, emails, and notifications can quickly take you down a rabbit hole, pulling you away from your tasks. Before you know it, hours have passed, and you haven’t made any progress on your priorities.

Solution:

To tackle distractions, start by setting boundaries around your phone and external interruptions. Mute group chats, silence notifications, and designate specific times to check emails. You can even use apps that help block distracting sites while you work. Additionally, set up times that your phone is on silent mode, with the exception of pre-programmed numbers such as your doctor and kids’ schools.

4. My Attitude: Stress, Anxiety, and Overwhelm

Lastly, your mindset can be a huge time robber. When you’re stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, it’s hard to focus on the task at hand. Negative emotions cloud your judgment, slow your decision-making, and prevent you from being productive. The emotional drain of stress can make even the simplest tasks feel like an uphill battle.

Solution:

To address this time thief, try incorporating stress management techniques into your routine. Whether it’s mindfulness, exercise, or just taking a few moments to breathe deeply, giving your mind the space to relax will help you feel more in control. Prioritize self-care and break larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to reduce feelings of overwhelm. If anxiety or stress is constant, consider reaching out for professional support to help manage those emotions in a healthy way.

Reclaiming Your Time: Identify, Remove, or Replan

The key to managing time robbers is awareness. Once you identify the culprits, you can take action to eliminate or minimize them. Here’s a quick recap of how to approach each time robber:

• Body: Take care of your physical needs—eat, drink, and rest regularly.
• Organization: Create systems to keep your space, tasks, and materials in order.
• Focus: Limit distractions by silencing notifications and setting boundaries.
• Attitude: Manage stress and emotions to stay clear-headed and focused.

You deserve to make the most of every minute—so let’s identify, remove, and replan to create more space for what truly matters