Want to take control of your time – but not sure how?
Maybe you feel guilty about taking time for yourself because there’s always so much to do.
If so, you’re in the right place. EVERYTHING changes when you take control of your time.
You get more work done, work smarter, not harder, and feel in control of your schedule.
Want to finally take control of your time? Read on!
💡Key takeaways:
- Taking control of your time means managing it in a way that’s aligned with your goals and values.
- Having control of your time improves stress, productivity, and quality of life.
- Some of the best ways to take control of your time are time audits, pre-planning, and boundaries.
Jump straight to…
- Audit your time
- Set goals and priorities
- Plan your week
- Use time management techniques
- Minimize distractions
- Delegate and automate
- Use a task management system
- Set boundaries
- Take care of yourself
What does it mean to take control of your time?
Taking control of your time means managing it intentionally—so it aligns with your goals and values.
For example, I structure my time to focus on my family, grow my business, and travel the world—without burning out. That’s what matters to me.
But many people struggle to manage their time effectively because they:
- Overcommit and lose control of their schedule
- Struggle to maintain work-life balance
- Find it hard to say “no”
- Get stuck in perfectionism
When you take control of your time, you can increase productivity, reduce stress, and improve your quality of life.
So, how do you do it? I’ll share the best strategies next!
How can you take control of your time?
If you don’t take control of your time, you may find yourself overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and burnout. But the good news? You can start making a change today.
Here’s how:
1. Audit your time
The first step? Getting honest about where your time actually goes—because chances are, it’s not where you think.
That’s where a time audit comes in.
For the next two weeks, track how you spend your time in 30-minute increments. Yes, it might feel like extra work, but trust me—it’s worth it. You need real data to make real improvements.
By the end of your audit, you’ll spot time-wasters and quick wins that help you free up time for what really matters.
Learn more about time audits work in this guide.
2. Set goals and priorities
To take control of your time, you need to know what truly matters.
When you define your objectives and align your tasks with them, you’re not just busy—you’re productive.
Start with SMART goals
Set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These help you stay focused and track progress.
Next, break big goals into smaller tasks and milestones to make them more manageable.
Use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize
If you’re unsure how to prioritize, try the Eisenhower Matrix—a simple tool that helps you decide what needs attention first.
It’s a 2×2 grid that categorizes tasks by importance and urgency:
- Urgent & Important (Top right) – Do these first.
- Important but Not Urgent (Bottom right) – Schedule these.
- Urgent but Not Important (Top left) – Delegate these.
- Neither Urgent nor Important (Bottom left) – Eliminate or minimize.
Using this method, you’ll focus on high-impact tasks instead of reacting to every little thing.
Read more: How to Write Incredibly Effective To-Do Lists
3. Plan your week
By planning ahead, you take control of your schedule—instead of letting it control you.
You see, my husband Demir and I used to jump straight into work, hoping everything would fall into place.
Spoiler: It didn’t.
When we started pre-planning with our Winning the Week Method, we got more done in less time—with way less stress.
Here’s how you can do it too:
- ✅ Weekly Review – Reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what can be improved.
- ✅ Set Goals – Define your top goals for the week and break them into smaller, actionable tasks.
- ✅ Prioritize Tasks – What task on your list is so important that if completed, it would allow you to pop a bottle of champagne that week? Use this formula to identify your #1 must-win task for the week.
- ✅ Calendarize Everything – Block time on your calendar for each task so your priorities actually get done.
- ✅ Review & Adjust – At the end of the week, evaluate your progress, make adjustments, and prepare for the next week.
4. Use time management strategies
Less than 1 in 5 people have a solid time management system. (Yikes!)
If you don’t have one yet, don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need fancy tools, just the right approach.
Here are three simple but powerful strategies:
- Pomodoro technique – Work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and repeat four times. After that, take a longer break (15 minutes or more) to recharge.
- Task batching – Group similar tasks (like emails, calls, or content creation) and tackle them together to stay in flow.
- Time blocking – Schedule dedicated time slots for specific tasks, so your day is structured and distraction-free.
Want to dive deeper? We offer time management training inside the Lifehack Tribe!
5. Minimize distractions
Distractions are one of the biggest obstacles to taking control of your time—whether you’re working from home or in the office.
Even small interruptions, like a text or email, can take up to 30 minutes to fully regain focus.
Here’s how to protect your focus and minimize distractions:
- Create a distraction-free workspace – Close the door, remove clutter, and set up a focused environment.
- Silence notifications – Turn off texts, emails, and app alerts that pull you away from deep work.
- Set boundaries – Use a communication policy to let coworkers know when you’re unavailable.
- Batch email responses – Check and reply to emails at designated times instead of constantly reacting.
6. Delegate and automate
You can do anything, but you can’t do everything—so stop trying!
Taking control of your time means focusing on what truly matters and letting go of the rest through delegation and automation.
Delegate what you don’t need to do
Outsource time-consuming or low-value tasks that don’t require your expertise.
Delegation isn’t just for work—you can outsource personal tasks too! From admin work to household chores like laundry and meal prep, we’ve been doing it for years.
💡 Pro tip: Delegation only works if you set clear expectations and processes. Need help? We teach you how to delegate effectively in this course.
Automate repetitive tasks
If you’re doing the same thing over and over, there’s probably a way to automate it.
From emails and content scheduling to bill payments and prescription refills, automation saves time at work and at home.
7. Use a task management system
To take control of your time, you need clarity on what to do and when—both at work and at home.
But keeping track of everything can be overwhelming—which is why you need a task manager!
Task management tools help you:
- Organize your tasks in one place
- Prioritize what matters most
- Track progress without feeling overwhelmed
Some even include AI integrations that help you prioritize your to-do list and decide what to tackle first.
I personally swear by Asana—I use it for everything, from streamlining work communication to managing family events.
💡 I love it so much that I even created a course on it!
8. Set boundaries
If you want to take control of your time, you need to set boundaries.
Boundaries protect your time and energy, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. They also lead to less stress, more peace of mind, and greater happiness.
Of course, saying “no” can feel uncomfortable at first—but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do. Every time you set a boundary, you’re making space for what’s truly important.
9. Take care of yourself
Taking control of your time isn’t just about productivity—it’s about protecting your well-being, too.
I make quality sleep, regular breaks, and even weekly pedicures a priority because they keep my energy high and my mind clear.
To build a solid foundation, make time for:
- Breaks – Schedule them—and actually take them.
- Movement – Exercise regularly to stay sharp and energized.
- Nutrition – Fuel your body with the right foods.
- Hobbies – Set aside time for things that bring you joy.
Of course, mastering time management doesn’t happen overnight. There’s a learning curve—but up next, I’ll share common mistakes to avoid so you can fast-track your success
Avoid these mistakes!
Mastering time management takes practice, but avoiding these mistakes will help you stay on track:
- Letting perfectionism and overwhelm paralyze you: Don’t let fear stop you from starting! Use the five-minute rule—commit to working on a task for just five minutes to build momentum.
- Allowing interruptions to derail you: Distractions kill productivity. Silence notifications, turn on Do Not Disturb mode, and schedule flex time for unplanned meetings or unexpected tasks.
- Losing motivation when things go wrong: Setbacks happen. Instead of quitting, revisit your goals, adjust your plan, and celebrate small wins to keep moving forward.
Controlling your time can be a superpower – here’s how to make every day count!
So, that’s how you can take control of your time and make the most of it.
Want to get started right now?
If so, the number one skill you need to learn right now is to plan your week.
And in our Win the Week worksheet, we outline the exact steps you need to take to go from feeling like you have no control over your time to finally working smarter, not harder.
Want to get it now?
Grab your own copy of our Win the Week Worksheet to plan your most productive week yet:
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