How To Leverage Time To Make More Time

Introduction

Time is one of the few resources you can never get back, yet it often feels like there’s never enough of it.

Between work, family, personal goals, and those unexpected interruptions, days seem to fly by before you even get a chance to breathe. But what if you could “make” more time without altering the 24 hours in a day?

The truth is, you can’t create extra hours, but you can use your time more effectively to feel like you have more of it. I want to explore simple and practical ways to leverage your time better, boost productivity, and free up those precious hours for the things that truly matter.

By the end of this article, you’ll see time management in a new light and have actionable tools to get more out of your day without overworking or burning out. Sound good? Let’s jump right in!

Understanding Where Your Time Goes

Before figuring out how to leverage time, it’s important to understand how you currently use it. I often hear people say, “I don’t have enough time for XYZ,” but when you dig into their day, you realize a lot of hours get lost on things that don’t add much value.

Try this exercise:

Track your day for 3 days. Write down what you’re doing every 30 minutes (yes, it’s a little tedious but eye-opening).
Identify patterns. How much time did you spend scrolling social media? How long did it take to answer emails or procrastinate before starting work?
Break it into categories: essential (like work, family, and health), productive, and wasted time.

This process will give you a baseline. Most people find at least 2-3 hours a day that could be used better without sacrificing relaxation or enjoyment.

The Concept of Leveraging Time

Leveraging time means using it more intentionally to gain more of it later. Imagine spending 30 minutes organizing your workspace so you don’t waste 10 minutes every morning looking for files or supplies. That’s leveraging time.

Here are some ways to do it effectively:

1. Prioritize Ruthlessly

A lot of us spend time on “busy work” — things that feel productive but don’t move the needle. Focus on what matters.

Use the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks into four quadrants —
1. Urgent and important (do these immediately).
2. Not urgent but important (schedule these).
3. Urgent but not important (delegate these).
4. Neither urgent nor important (eliminate or minimize).

If you focus on important tasks first, you’ll stop feeling overwhelmed by minor, urgent things pulling you in all directions.

2. Batch Similar Tasks Together

Switching between tasks eats up more time than you realize because your brain has to “reboot” each time. Instead, group similar activities into blocks.

For example:

Respond to all emails at a specific time instead of checking them every hour.
Make all your phone calls back-to-back.
Plan meals for the week in one sitting instead of deciding daily.

This reduces mental clutter and saves you significant time.

3. Automate and Delegate

The more you automate or delegate, the more time you free up.

Automation: Use tools to do repetitive tasks for you:

Automate bill payments so you don’t forget deadlines.
Use scheduling tools like Calendly to save back-and-forth emails for meetings.
Set up reminders for tasks that need consistency, like exercise or reading.

Delegation: You don’t need to do everything yourself. If you can outsource something at work or hire help for household tasks, do it. You can spend that saved time on things only you can do, like growing your skills or relaxing with loved ones.

4. Master the Art of Saying “No”

One of the most underrated time-management tools is learning to say no. You can’t do everything, and saying yes to something automatically means saying no to something else.

If a request doesn’t align with your goals or values, it’s okay to decline politely.
Avoid overloading your calendar with things that drain your time or energy.

Remember, you’re not obligated to say yes just because someone asks.

5. Use “Dead Time” Wisely

There are pockets of time during the day that often get wasted — like waiting in line, commuting, or sitting in a doctor’s office. Instead of scrolling your phone mindlessly:

Listen to an audiobook or podcast.
Write down ideas or plan your day.
Learn something new through short articles or videos.

These small habits can help you make the most of downtime.

6. Plan Your Day the Night Before

A little preparation goes a long way. Take 10-15 minutes each evening to plan the next day. Write down your top 3 priorities and decide when you’ll tackle them.

Why this works:

You’ll wake up with a clear plan instead of wasting time figuring out where to start.
You’ll feel more focused and intentional.

The Power of Time Blocks

Time blocking is a simple strategy where you schedule specific time slots for specific tasks. It helps you control your day instead of letting your day control you.

For example:

8-10 AM: Work on the most important project.
10-10:30 AM: Emails and messages.
12-1 PM: Lunch break.
1-3 PM: Deep work (focused tasks with no distractions).

Be realistic with time estimates, and don’t forget to include short breaks to avoid burnout.

Creating Margin in Your Day

One of the biggest mistakes people make is overscheduling themselves. When your day is packed back-to-back, even a small delay can throw everything off.

Create “margin” — time buffers between tasks — so you don’t feel rushed. Use this extra time to breathe, recharge, or tackle unexpected issues without stress.

FAQs

Q: How do I stop procrastinating and get things done?

Start small. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Set a timer for 10 minutes and promise yourself you’ll work for just that amount of time. Often, getting started is the hardest part.

Q: Can I still have free time if I’m leveraging every hour?

Absolutely! The goal isn’t to over-schedule your day but to use your time intentionally so you can actually enjoy guilt-free free time.

Q: What’s the best tool for time management?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Tools like Google Calendar, Trello, or Todoist can help, but even a simple notebook works if you prefer pen and paper.

Final Thoughts

Time isn’t something you can buy or borrow, but you can leverage it to feel like you have more of it. By prioritizing tasks, eliminating unnecessary distractions, and building intentional habits, you can get more done in less time and still have room for the things that make life fulfilling.

Start small. Even one change — like batching your emails or planning your day ahead — can have a ripple effect on your productivity and overall sense of control.

So, what’s one thing you can do today to start leveraging your time better? How would you use those extra hours if you had them? Let me know!