Boost Your Day: Productivity Hacks to Create More Time for Yourself

7 Oct

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Time—our most precious commodity, right? Especially when you’re trying to juggle work, family, and fitness goals all at once. It often feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done, and somehow, self-care and fitness are the first things to fall off the list. But don’t worry, I’ve got some great hacks to share with you today that will help you prioritise yourself and enhance your overall well-being.

This podcast episode and blog post were actually inspired by a conversation with my friend Charlotte. She said something that really struck me: “You’re so good with your time management and boundaries! You run a business, make time for your health, and still manage to get everything else done. How do you do it?”

Her comment made me reflect on how far I’ve come because, I’ll be honest, there was a time when I felt like my days were constantly slipping away from me. I’d wake up with the best intentions—get my morning workout in, have a productive workday, and squeeze in a little self-care in the evening—but it always seemed like there weren’t enough hours to fit everything in. I’d end up feeling frustrated about how little I had achieved at the end of the day.

That’s why I’m sharing these productivity hacks with you today—to show that it is possible to prioritise yourself and your fitness, even when time feels like it’s slipping through your fingers. Let’s dive into how you can take control of your time and start putting yourself at the top of your to-do list! Read on to find out more…..

Psst… Would you rather listen to these tips? Hit play on our podcast episode now for a more in depth chat on the subject! 👇

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Why Time Management Matters for Your Fitness Goals

Why talk about time management on a fitness-focused podcast and blog? Because time is often the biggest barrier people face when trying to fit more movement or self-care into their day. It’s not just about squeezing in a workout—time management impacts everything from your meal choices to how present you feel in your own life.

By managing your time effectively, you can make sure that fitness and self-care become part of your routine instead of something you try to fit in when you “get around to it.”

I know first-hand how challenging this can be. Back when I didn’t have these strategies in place, I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by my own schedule. No matter how hard I tried, I always seemed to end up skipping workouts or pushing them aside for something else.

But with a few intentional changes, it’s possible to create more time for what truly matters. Let’s get into the hacks that have helped me reclaim my time and energy.

1. Meal Planning

How often have you skipped a healthy meal because you didn’t have time to prepare one? Meal planning is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to save time and make healthier choices throughout the week. Instead of following a strict meal plan, I suggest a more flexible approach.

In the past I used to decide what to eat on the go which was always difficult when you’re tired and don’t know what you fancy, it also meant frequent trips to the shops to pick up ingredients that weren’t in the house.

Now every weekend, we gather recipe books or you could have a list your favourite meals and we plan our week's menu.

We write it down on a whiteboard in the kitchen, noting any commitments that might affect our meal schedule. It doesn’t have to be complicated—just enough to guide you.

This way, we can shop for all the necessary ingredients in one trip, save time, and reduce decision fatigue.

If you’re feeling especially pressed for time, you could consider meal delivery services for even more convenience.

Tips: Make extra so you have leftovers for lunches or nights when you don’t want to cook. We also keep non perishable staples in the pantry for things we use a lot.

2. Tracking Your Health Habits

Keeping track of your daily health habits can create awareness and accountability. Whether it’s water intake, movement, or sleep, recording your progress helps you see where you’re thriving and where there’s room for improvement.

I started doing this because I’d often reach the end of the day and realise I’d barely moved at all or I had a fuzzy head because I hadn’t drunk enough water. I started using a simple whiteboard in my kitchen to tally off each glass of water I drank and each mini-movement session I completed. It was so motivating to see those little wins add up over time, and it gave me a clearer picture of where I was falling short.

I created a free fitness habit tracker for you which you can download my from my website if you’d like a structured way to track your own habits. It also includes prompts and tips for fitting in quick, effective movements, no matter how packed your day is.

The goal isn’t to be perfect but to create awareness so you can make small, meaningful adjustments.

Tip: Have your tracker somewhere you will see all the time. It’s all about creating visual reminders that keep you engaged and motivated.

To stay on track and monitor your progress, I've created a Fitness Habit Tracker specifically for busy women like you.

This tracker will help you:

Build awareness around your habits
Identify patterns
Make adjustments as needed

It's available for download on my website lisadawnbeckwith.com/tracker

Use this tool to stay accountable, celebrate your wins, and prioritise your health and well-being.

Grab it TODAY

3. Managing Phone Usage: Break Free from the Scroll Hole

We love our phones, but let’s be honest—they’re one of the biggest productivity thieves out there. It’s easy to get lost in a scroll hole, but with a few intentional steps, you can reclaim your time.

I’ve definitely had those days where I intended to check one quick thing on my phone and ended up down a rabbit hole of scrolling for an hour. I’d catch myself wondering where the time went and feeling frustrated that I’d let my phone steal precious time that could have been used more purposefully. That’s when I decided to make some changes.

Now, I keep my phone on silent, turn off non-essential notifications, moved my phone out of the room when I want some focused work time and even use focus mode to create healthier phone habits. It’s been a game-changer, helping me to stay more present and in control of my time. I’m excited to share these hacks with you so you can reclaim that precious time and use it for what truly matters to you.

Tips: Our phones are our constant companions but often our worst distractions. Here are some steps to take control:

Keep your phone on silent to avoid distractions.
Limit notifications to essential apps only.
Use features like Focus Mode or Night time Mode to block distractions.
Consider keeping your phone in another room while working or relaxing.
Try moving apps off your home screen and setting limits on usage with built-in phone settings

For more tips on breaking phone habits and setting boundaries check out this blog post

It’s amazing how a few small tweaks can help reduce mindless scrolling.

4. Setting Boundaries: Protect What Matters

One of the most important steps in creating more time for yourself is learning to set boundaries with yourself and others. This was something I had to learn the hard way. I used to say yes to every last-minute work request or favour from friends, thinking I could always squeeze in my own needs later. But what I didn’t realise was that every “yes” I gave to others meant saying “no” to myself. I was skipping workouts and pushing aside personal time.

Now, I schedule my personal commitments the same way I do work meetings—non-negotiable. If something can wait, it waits. And if I say yes to myself first, it makes saying no to others so much easier.

Tip: Practice saying no to small things first—like not responding to a text or email right away. Remember, messages are requests, not demands. It's okay to take your time responding to emails or messages unless it's an emergency. Protect your time, say no when necessary, and make sure you prioritise your needs.

5. Creating Awareness and Setting Intentions

Awareness is the first step to making effective changes.

Start by monitoring how you spend your day

Note how much time you spend on various activities to identify where you can improve. Setting intentions before using your phone or planning your day can help you remain focused and productive.

Daily Lists and Ending Your Day Right

A small daily planning session before you end your day can make a huge difference. Write down what you accomplished and plan the next day's priorities to keep your momentum. It's also helpful to establish a routine to emotionally and mentally transition out of work mode, whether you're working from home or at an office.

Setting Work Blocks and Alarms

Setting boundaries with work can be created through time blocks and alarms. Allocate specific periods, like 50-minute work sessions followed by short breaks, to maximise productivity without overexerting yourself. Use alarms to remind yourself to move, drink water, or switch tasks.