How-To "Get a Bigger Plate"

Feeling like there's never enough time and you have too much on your plate? Get a bigger plate...

What is the "Get a Bigger Plate" Concept?

It is a time management concept. When you feel as though you have too much on your plate, instead of taking things off your plate, you get a bigger plate. Imagine you're pouring water into a glass and the water starts overflowing. You grab a bigger glass. You still may want all that water so instead of depriving yourself of the water, you get a bigger glass.

But HOW do I make more time?

It's not so much about making more time but instead being more efficient and strategic with the time you do have. Focus on finding ways to find unused or underutilized time in your day. Avoid "waiting" time and use that time to read or listen to a podcast. Need to focus more on skincare? Do your face mask WHILE you're making breakfast.

5 Ways to "Get a Bigger Plate"

1. Combine Tasks. If there are things that can get done simultaneously, do them simultaneously. For example, listen to that business development podcast while on the treadmill or while you're folding laundry.

   
   

2. Utilize an Ongoing To-Do List. To-do lists are a great way to organize your tasks. An ongoing to-do list allows you to add tasks as they come to you so you can free up brain space and don't have to worry about remembering EVERYTHING.

   
   

3. Task Batch. Batch similar tasks together to reduce "waiting" time between tasks. An example of this would be meal prepping your lunches or dinners for the week. Also check out my blog on task batching.

   
   

4. Routine, Routine, Routine. Making a routine of your repetitive tasks is a great way to reduce wasted time between tasks. After a while, your morning and evening routine become like muscle memory. You can do the same with tasks like cleaning the kitchen. Maybe start on one side and work your way to the other side. Do the same thing each time and you'll get faster and more efficient.

   
   

5. Take Breaks. This sounds counterintuitive but it's really not. You cannot pour from an empty cup. If you're too burnt out, you'll be slow no matter what. When people are overworked, they become less efficient and make more mistakes, so one of the best ways to become more efficient is to avoid burnout and take breaks (just not too many).