How to gain control of your free time | Laura Vanderkam | TED

There are 168 hours in each week. How do we find time for what matters most? Time management expert Laura Vanderkam studies how busy people spend their lives, and she's discovered that many of us drastically overestimate our commitments each week, while underestimating the time we have to ourselves. She offers a few practical strategies to help find more time for what matters to us, so we can "build the lives we want in the time we've got."

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[suhailanaz]

"I don't have time = it is not a priority."
"Time is Elastic"
"Time is a choice"
Totally agreed.
Thank you so much for the talk.

[MablePauls]

My dividend journey began when I realized that two particular expenses in my budget were always going to go up and never go down. The two expenses were taxes and insurance. I realized that the dramatic rise in both will need some added income. So, I started buying shares paying dividends. I can now see that this will be the path I need to take to make sure those two expenses will not overtake my future income.

[artlos]

Boss: "Where are you?"
Me after watching this: "Sorry, you are not in my priority anymore."

[habibaezzat]

its more of energy management than time management for me. i have time to do things but not necessarily the energy to do them.

[iblisrequiem]

We are so obsessed with time just like someone already said in the comments. But on the other hand we will always find time for the things that truly matter to us and that's what Laura Vanderkam says in her talk.
I used to rush myself on the bike to school and I love cycling.. but I wanted to be there as fast as possible so that I'd have more time to study. Yet every time I would rush through, I'd be stopped at the red lights and the slower cyclers would catch up with me, making me feel frustrated with the time I was wasting waiting at the red lights. All I was left with was more sweat, frustration and muscle pain. So I decided this was not going to do it. Now I cycle every morning to school at a slow pace enjoying the nature: the rain, the sunshine, the wind, the smells of life, everything, listening to the city or the birds. I even have time to stop if I see a cat and try to give it some snacks. I arrive at school feeling relaxed and ready for the day. It's my favorite thing to do now.
Making a priority list will make your life better. Especially the relationships and self categories. Taking time to just be present in the moment and live. Ignore the smartphone and technology as long as possible and talk to your loved ones instead.
Or instead of procrastinating by scrolling through Facebook, watch a TED talk. You won't feel like you've wasted your time after that.
Thanks for the inspiring talk. I'm getting back to work now. Time to review my priority list.

[ibr]

" Every minute I spend is my choice " how great is this sentence

[eliseerickson]

she never said "schedule every hour full of work".
she said "you have time for the things you prioritize."
maybe you prioritize watching a movie every night to recharge. then do that and don't feel bad about it. that's your priority.

[florbz]

I love this woman's attitude! She's funny, captivating and interesting too! For me, step 1 of controlling my time would be to stop watching YouTube though...

[mymindthinks]

"I was once late for my speech on Time Management" haha epic 😂

[NhungNguyen-sphw]

The message I get is to get the best of anything you are doing with your time. If you are working, then work effectively; if you are resting, let your mind totally rest; if you are spending time with your family and beloved ones, either eating, playing, having fun with them, make every minute counts by caring, loving them. And even if you are on Youtube, you watch these videos on purposes, either you have fun or you are here to gain knowledge. So, it's another way of saying: "be present" & "be purposeful". Thank Ted and Laura for reminding me of that.

[kg]

This lady was my neighbor for a year when I lived 3 doors down and I’m a little messy (but was specifically “going through some stuff” so even less pulled together) and she was so genuinely kind, wonderful, and genuinely lovely that even when we moved back to FL I still remember her fondly. (My husband I used to jokingly call her “my wife” after she watched my kids for a day when I was sick even though I was a stay at home mom, so I naturally wanted to “hmm but how do I trick her into being my sister wife without religious fundamentalism?”).

I’m still very messy (ADHD!) but it’s always such a pleasant surprise when someone who is very “impressively put together” ends up privately being just as lovely (to everyone!);

[wes]

"There is time. Even if we are busy. We have Time for what matters. And when we focus on what matters, we can build the lives we want, in the time we've got." 👏

[TheFrayGox]

Step one: Stop watching youtube at 3 am

[takemetoyonk]

I love her knowing smile when she says most of this stuff. It's so relatable. When you know how silly something is to do but also how easy it is to fall into the habit

[ahmadqodirov]

Well, I have finished watching it, and I found it really useful. Here are some lessons I learnt.
I don't have time = It is not a priority
Time is a choice, it is elastic.
We have enough time, almost all of us. Make the experiences enjoyable, such as, you can read or listen to a book while commuting.

Get rid of things that take away most of your time on a daily basis.

Focus on what matters and you will build the live you want

[SatyaNarayanVyas]

I don't have time = It's not your priority.

[greatrash]

I am killing time watching this!! Next I am going to break my water heater

[LumiLunar]

I've had varying work schedules and it was incredibly hard to adjust to night shifts at first mainly because it was hard to find time to hang out with friends and family. This video has taught me that priorities can change. They might take some getting used to, but it showed me that a night job doesn't have to mean no social life.

[bhavyaaaa]

Ten things i did for an amazing year

1. Waking up ealry
2. Reading self-help
3. Not caring about other's opinions
4. Taking care of the people you love
5. Doing the uncomfortable stuff
6. Working out
7. Meditation
8. Taking care of myself
9. Learning how to code
10. Having empathy and understanding others' pov

--> think through your week before you actually go through them

[jesswtts]

How to gain control of your free time : Stop scrolling through the comment section 😂