Steal Back Your Time: The Productivity Hacks No One Talks About!

Hey Gal! Happy Monday!

I am the founder of TBB and personally run my own chapter + oversee our 30 cities, work with national brands, local businesses and on. I am ALWAYS trying to work efficiently and get my time back and it's a huge topic we chat with our TBB team on too. 

So today is all about just that! Stealing back your time and feeling organized, less chaos + in control!

1. Theme your days

This one can be challenging but do your best. For example, maybe you theme your house cleaning/laundry etc all for the same day. For me, I like to have Mondays as my admin day, Tuesdays as my calls and on. It helps reduce time because I'm not task jumping and I'm laser honed in on exactly those items for the entire day. 

2. Time Blocking—But Make It Work for You

Time blocking is magical if you customize it to your life. Instead of rigidly scheduling every hour, group similar tasks together in flexible windows. Example: “Creative work from 9-11 AM,” “Admin & emails from 1-2 PM,” “Errands after 4 PM.” For me, I'm most awake + creative during my AM hours so I keep time blocked tasks for that time span. Think about when you're productive when applying the tasks too and I always like to add extra time vs what I believe the task will take me. 

3. The 'Energy Matching' Method

Not all hours feel the same. Instead of forcing yourself to be productive when you're drained, schedule high-focus tasks during your natural energy peaks. If you're sharp in the morning, do deep work then. If you slump in the afternoon, batch easy tasks like email responses or meal prep. Your 9am on a Monday likely isn't the same energy as your 9am on a Friday :)

4. The 5-Minute Rule

If something takes five minutes or less—do it now. No mental to-do list, no putting it off. These tiny tasks (sending a text, wiping the counter, scheduling an appointment) build up and steal your time when ignored.

5. Automate, Delegate, or Delete

Before taking on any task, ask yourself: Can I automate this? Can I delegate it? Do I even need to do it? Set bills to auto-pay, use a grocery delivery service, and say no to things that don't align with your priorities. Every unnecessary task you remove is time won back.

6. The 'Future You' Trick

Set your future self up for success. Lay out your workout clothes at night, pre-chop veggies for easy meals, and leave things where you need them (keys by the door, water bottle on your desk). A few minutes of prep now = a smoother, stress-free day later. I apply this for my PM routine and it makes the next day so much more organized. 

7. The 'Meeting Detox'

Not every meeting needs to happen. Before agreeing to one, ask: Could this be an email? This can be hard if you're working for someone else BUT you can still ask the question and allow your management to have to think and answer you. 

8. Meal Prepping That Doesn't Suck

Hate the idea of spending Sunday in the kitchen? Try ingredient prep instead. Chop veggies, cook proteins, and have staple ingredients ready to mix and match. You'll still save time, without eating the same thing all week.  I did this over the weekend and it took minimal time AND I have a plan to my week. I cooked things like broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, quinoa, hard boiled eggs, salmon and on and then put into separate dishes in the fridge. 

10. Make Rest Non-Negotiable

Burnout isn't a productivity flex. Schedule rest like any other task. Whether it's a 20-minute walk, a coffee break, or a full unplugged evening, protecting your energy is protecting your time.

The goal isn't to do more, it's to free up time for what actually matters—whether that's growing your business, spending time with friends/family, or just having a moment to breathe. Try a few of these hacks, and watch your days start working for you instead of against you.