Time Management That Pays: Fall Productivity Tools to Help You Work Less and Earn More

 


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Time management has always been a challenge for me, and for years, I struggled to balance everything. I prayed about it and wholeheartedly believe that God has given me time management tips that have transformed how I approach my day. Sometimes, the hardest part is just getting started. But once I get into a flow—especially with writing—everything seems to click into place.

I believe that everything starts with mindset. I now evaluate my mindset constantly when it comes to time. Instead of saying, “How am I going to get this done?” I remind myself, "I can do all things through God who strengthens me." My mindset has shifted from scarcity to abundance, and I now believe I have plenty of time. In fact, I create time.

With that mindset, I’ve adopted several time management strategies, hired help, and found ways to make things more efficient in both my home and business. Whether it’s making crockpot meals or hiring freelancers to assist with my workload, these strategies have helped me maximize productivity and manage my time effectively.

Here are 10 things that can help you too!

1. Set Clear, Manageable Goals

Setting clear goals is essential to productivity. A study from the Dominican University of California suggests that writing down your goals can increase your chances of success by as much as 42%. One of the tools I rely on is my goal-setting journal, where I jot down weekly and monthly goals, which helps me stay organized and on track. By setting manageable goals, you can break larger tasks into actionable steps that feel achievable.

Boosting productivity by even 10% through goal-setting can add up to 4 extra hours per week, which, at $50/hour, translates into an additional $200 per week. (I’m a stats person—so I like to see the numbers and what’s possible)

Essentials to Maximize Productivity:

2. Allocate Specific Time for Tasks

While time blocking works wonders for others, I find that allocating a specific amount of time for each task works better for me. For example, if I allocate 20 minutes to edit an article, that’s my focus for those 20 minutes. It’s a great motivator because the time frame is manageable. If I’m not finished after that, I just allocate another 10 minutes.

Whichever method you use, this time-blocking planner will help you stay organized and on schedule. Studies show that allocating specific time slots can increase focus and efficiency by 25%. That’s an extra 10 hours per week, which could add $500 to your bottom line.

Essentials to Maximize Productivity:

3. Hire Freelancers to Delegate

I’ve learned that delegating tasks is one of the most effective ways to free up time and focus on what really matters. I often hire freelancers on Fiverr to handle administrative tasks and social media, allowing me to focus on revenue-generating activities. According to the Harvard Business Review, entrepreneurs who delegate effectively can generate up to 33% more revenue.

If delegating saves you 5 hours per week, that’s an extra $250 per week you can bring in by focusing on higher-level tasks.

Recommended tool to explore:

  • Fiverr Freelance Services – Find skilled freelancers for admin work, content creation, social media, marketing, and more.

4. Outsource Household Chores

As a busy business owner, I don’t have time to spend hours cleaning or cooking elaborate meals. I use a cleaning service for deep cleaning, but I’ve found that a robot vacuum is a game-changer in between. It runs quietly in the background and helps me maintain a tidy space without taking time out of my day.

I also love using a crockpot for quick “dump and go” meals and prepping in advance using glass containers. These time-savers let me focus more on my business and less on chores.

Outsourcing even 3 hours a week is like giving yourself a $150 raise.

Essentials to Maximize Productivity:

5. Evaluate Your Mindset Regularly

Mindset is everything when it comes to time management. I believe that I can create time, and that belief drives me to stay productive and make the most of my day. Reading books on mindset, like Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck, can help reinforce a growth perspective.

Research shows that mindset interventions can lead to performance improvements of 10–40%, depending on the context, and 64% of senior leaders report enhanced productivity when employees embrace a growth mindset.

Even at just a 10% boost, if this shift helps you save 4 hours per week, that’s an extra $200 per week added to your bottom line.

Essentials to Maximize Productivity:

6. Use Time Management Tools

Having the right tools in place makes all the difference. One technique is to use a Pomodoro timer to stay focused and to ensure that you take breaks at regular intervals. Another tip is to wear noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions when you need deep focus time.

Increasing productivity by 25% could mean an extra 10 hours per week, which adds up to $500 more in revenue.

Essentials to Maximize Productivity:

7. Batch Similar Tasks Together

Batching similar tasks is another way I maximize my productivity. Rather than bouncing between different responsibilities, I group similar activities—like writing content or scheduling social media—together. This technique helps reduce costly task-switching. According to the University of California, Irvine, it can take up to 23 minutes to regain full focus after switching tasks.

By batching similar tasks, you stay in the same mental mode longer, which reduces the time lost to constant context-switching. Research shows frequent task-switching can cut productivity by up to 40%. If batching saves you even 4 hours a week, that could mean an extra $200 per week at $50/hour.

Essentials to Maximize Productivity:

8. Make Use of “Dead Time”

Utilizing “dead time” can also be one of the simplest yet most effective time management strategies. Whether it’s during a commute or while waiting on hold (I usually put the phone on speaker so I can keep working), use these small chunks of time to read articles, respond to emails, brainstorm ideas, or record a quick voice note while walking. Keep a portable charger on hand so your devices are always ready when inspiration hits.

Making use of 2 hours of dead time per week can add an extra $100 per week to your earnings.

Essentials to Maximize Productivity:

9. Prioritize Your To-Do List

Not all tasks are created equal, and learning to prioritize has been crucial for me. I focus on the most important — and usually the hardest — tasks first. I use a simple notepad to write out my top three priorities every day.

Research highlights just how much time gets wasted on low-value work. A McKinsey study found that professionals spend up to 28% of their workweek — roughly 13 hours — just on email. The Asana Anatomy of Work report shows that employees spend 60% of their time on “work about work” — things like chasing updates, attending unproductive meetings, and switching between tools — leaving only 40% for meaningful tasks.

That’s why effective prioritization matters. Even if better prioritization only gives you back 5 hours a week, that’s 20 hours a month — or an extra $1,000 a month at $50/hour.

Essentials to Maximize Productivity:

10. Take Time to Rest

Rest is just as important as productivity. Taking breaks throughout the day allows me to recharge, and when I return to work, I’m more focused and efficient. I find that simple tools like weighted blankets, oil diffusers, and sleep assistants can help improve rest and recovery.

If taking breaks improves your productivity by just 10%, that’s an extra 4 hours per week, adding $200 to your weekly income.

Essentials to Maximize Productivity:

Final Thoughts

Time management doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By adopting the right mindset, setting clear goals, and using the tools and strategies that work for you, you can make the most of your time and significantly boost your income. Whether it’s hiring freelancers, batching tasks, or even making the most of your downtime, these tips can help you reclaim hours in your day and put more dollars in your pocket. At $50/hour, implementing even a few of these tips could increase your earnings by thousands per week.

Start today, and watch your productivity — and your income — grow!

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