How to Maximize Your Schedule

Hey - welcome back to Wellness Unbound. Thank you for being here.

Last week, I shared why I rebranded the newsletter and my plan to break down the barriers that hinder us from living our healthiest lives.

Today, I will dive into the barrier (& opportunity) that we all have in common.

Time.

We all have 24 hours every day, so what we do with that time is the question.

So, let’s explore how we can make the most of our most precious resource.

We’ve all heard it before - "I Don't Have Time."

It’s a phrase that’s become all too common in a culture that glorifies being busy & productive.

But let’s be real - when we say we don’t have time, usually that means that it’s not a priority.

There are times when our schedules our truly packed with necessities & responsibilities, for sure. But when we prioritize something, it happens, no matter how many hours in the day.

In other words - We Make Time for Our Priorities.

I'll be the first to admit that I've fallen into this trap. It’s tempting to get caught up in the grind of an engaging week - especially as an Enneagram 3…

• But what if we challenged ourselves to break free from this cycle of chasing productivity?

• What if we embraced the fact that rest is a necessity for peak performance?

• How can we liberate ourselves from the cultural programming to constantly be achieving?

• How might we make conscious choices to prioritize what truly matters?

Meditating on these questions has been vital for me and made me realize that everyone deserves the time to do what nourishes them - whether that's connecting with loved ones, pursuing a passion, reclaiming their health, traveling, or simply taking a break.

Therefore, Wellness Unbound is my attempt to support you in making the most of your time, in whatever way you feel called to do so.

So What Can We Do?

Optimizing for time & effort - it’s a topic that’s fascinated me since my school days.

Back then, the question was simple… How can I study as little as possible and still get an A?

As I’ve gotten older, it’s evolved into something deeper: How can I optimize my time & energy to achieve the best possible results?

And more importantly, how can I make the most of my time?

Now let me be clear - this isn’t about working harder or getting more done for its own sake.

For me, Optimization Isn’t About Achievement. It’s About Efficiency & Ease.

It’s about finding ways to work smarter, not harder, so we can create space for the things in life that truly matter.

When we learn to use our time more efficiently, we show up more effectively, and we gain the freedom to engage in activities that nourish us, holistically.

I know this idea might sound a little radical in a culture that celebrates achievement & normalizes burnout, but in my experience, fine-tuning my practices & optimizing my time has been key to unlocking greater health, happiness, and fulfillment.

So, here are five of the strategies that I’ve found effective when it comes to making the most of the time we have available in the day.

Distraction Free Work Blocks:

If you’re like most people, you probably find yourself constantly battling distractions throughout the day.

From social media notifications, to emails, to the endless stream of news, it can feel like there’s always something after your attention. (There is).

But here’s the good news - eliminating these distractions is a game-changer.

Without exception, Less Distraction Creates Greater Efficiencies.

The value of working without distraction is nothing groundbreaking, but it’s a concept that’s often overlooked in our fast-paced, tech-driven world.

When you eliminate the bullshit texts, dings & pings, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can do in less time.

The idea of "Deep Work," popularized by productivity expert Cal Newport, is all about carving out uninterrupted time to focus on cognitively demanding tasks. This can include anything from writing to coding to studying.

By practicing Deep Work on a regular basis, you'll not only produce higher quality work, but also experience a greater sense of satisfaction & fulfillment in your life.

So, how can you implement Distraction-Free Work Blocks in your own life?

It's simple: turn off your phone or put it in another room.

Eliminate all distractions.

And maybe throw on a good instrumental playlist, too 🎧

You may be surprised at how much more efficient and effective you can be when you're not constantly interrupting your own flow.

Approximate Time Saved Per Week: 10 Hours (2 Hours/Workday)

Time-Blocking:

In a related way, scheduling & keeping track of what you spend your time doing will create massive efficiencies in your life.

Parkinson’s Law states that “work expands so as to fill the time which is available for its completion.”

In other words, The longer we dedicate to a task, the longer it will take… even if it could be completed in less time.

Have you ever noticed how, when you’re up against a deadline, you’re able to produce much quicker?

Writing essays back in college certainly comes to mind here 🤷🏻‍♂️

To put this into practice, there is a concept known as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for a 25-minute period, followed by a 5-minute break.

After four rounds (a total of two hours), take a 30-minute break.

This allows you to restore your energy and come back to the activity with greater engagement & enthusiasm - which yes, leads to greater efficiency.

During my breaks, I like to do activities that allow my mind to reset, such as cleaning, walking, cooking, or meditating.

Approximate Time Saved Per Week: 5 Hours (1 Hour/Workday)

Energy Conscious Scheduling:

Different priorities demand different resources & different energies.

For example, I focus best in the morning.

So, I try to not take meetings before 11AM. I use this time for Deep Work on analytical or creative projects.

I work on priorities when my energy & capacity for flow is highest.

My focus dwindles in the afternoon, so I use that time for less-involved initiatives such as emails, outlines, or meetings.

What works best will be unique to you, but I’d recommend experimenting with this question:

What time of day do I feel best & how can I use that time for my biggest priorities?

The more we discover what works, the more efficient we become, and the more space we have to fulfill ourselves & show up for others.

Approximate Time Saved Per Week: 8 Hours (2 Hours/Day)

Meditating:

So there’s no direct evidence to prove that meditation saves us time (yet)... but anecdotally, it certainly does.

An unknown Zen master once said, "If you don't have time to meditate for 20 minutes, meditate for an hour."

I get it - it can be tempting to skip meditation when we are overwhelmed.

But that is when we need it most.

Taking just a few minutes each day to meditate allows us to calm our minds, reduce stress, and boost our productivity & overall well-being.

For instance, Aetna, a health insurance company, implemented a mindfulness program for its employees and found that employees who participated in the program reported a 28% reduction in stress, 19% reduction in pain, and a 62-minute increase in productivity during the week.

I’m interested in how programs like this may develop in corporate culture.

Here are a few of my favorite forms of mindfulness & meditation:

• Walking Meditation

• Gratitude Meditation (Dr. Joe Dispenza)

• Ziva Meditation (Emily Fletcher)

• Love & Kindness Meditation

Approximate time saved per week: 5 Hours (1 Hour/Day)

Batch-Cooking:

To save time & hassle with prepping & cleaning meals, it can be helpful to cook large portions of grains and/or veggies.

A large batch of brown rice, for example, can extend into several meals throughout the week, as can a sheet pan of roasted broccoli.

True meal prep of entire meals still has its place, but this is an awesome alternative because allows for flexibility & freshness of ingredients.

Whenever I cook ahead for myself or my partner I frame it as cooking for Future Me/Us.

Acknowledging your Future Self can be a powerful motivator. (Longpath Mindset)

Approximate time saved per week: 2 Hours

Thank You For Reading

Do you already practice any of these?

If you had all the time in the world - what would you spend time doing?

Let me know and have a great week.

Your friend & supporter,

Aidan

Podcast of the Week:

What does lion tracking & human transformation have in common?

Turns out a lot, according to Boyd Varty - who is a master in both.

A wildlife activist, lion tracker, and executive coach, Boyd has spent the last decade developing a unique philosophy that honors the wilderness as a place for deep introspection & personal transformation.

This is a fascinating conversation packed with storytelling & wisdom around the importance of reconnecting with nature and always following the signs presented to us.

Boyd’s book, “A Lion Trackers Guide To Life” is a personal favorite that I’d highly recommend. I think you’ll know why after listening to this conversation.

Video of the Week:

Ryan Holiday, a best-selling author & modern-day stoic, explains Memento Mori - the concept of embracing our mortality.

In Latin, it translates to, “Remember that you will die.”

I would be remiss to not mention this concept as I present to you a newsletter about making the most of our time.

It’s become an important one for me and I’d encourage you to explore it as well.