How to Get More Done—One Bite-Sized Piece at a Time

I don’t know a single person who doesn’t want to get more done in less time.

We read books on productivity like Getting Things Done and The 4-Hour Workweek, hoping that we can get more done while freeing ourselves from our packed schedules.

But the reality is, we can’t do everything. The more we pack our schedules, the more things slip through the cracks—and then we feel guiltier than ever!

There’s one tool that I use in my life that has made it possible for me to do everything that is important to me.

It’s kept my life in balance by addressing my business, my health, my spirit, my family and my relationships.

I stopped thinking about doing MORE.

And instead started breaking up my day into bite-sized moments.

I first thought of this idea back when USA Today came out.

It was in the 1980s, and the goal of the paper was to give people news in bite-sized pieces. People didn’t have time to read lengthy articles, the paper’s founder, Al Neuharth, argued.

People criticized the paper when it came out, saying that no one would read it. But today, USA Today is still the most popular newspaper in the U.S. (tied with The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times).

Now, looking back, we can see how brilliant Neuharth’s vision was. Today, we expect everything to be in bite-sized pieces.

We prefer that our news and information be as short as a tweet or a text.

I’ve used this bite-sized idea as a model for my life, and as a result, I get the things done that are really important to me.

Here are a few ways that you can turn your own life into bite-sized moments:

1. Take 5-7 minutes for your health.

Don’t have an hour to go to the gym? That’s great, because you don’t need it! There are tons of ways you can get in shape in just a few minutes.

I’ll set an alarm on my phone as a reminder, and when it goes off I’ll stop what I’m doing and do 5 minutes of squats or pushups. That’s it!

On days when I have more time, I may go to the gym or do my full “Healthy Hazels” routine. But on busy days, if all I do are 5 minutes of squats, I consider the day a success!

5 minutes of exercise does help, especially when you do it every day.

You could also do 5 minutes of sprints, jumping rope or other high-intensity exercises to get your blood pumping.

If you want to work your entire body, try this 7-minute workout, which is sure to wear you out!

2. Take 5 minutes for your spirit.

My son caught me doing this one the other day. I simply sat in the sun for 5 minutes. I looked around and took it all in. I appreciated the trees, the plants, the way the sun felt on my face.

Spend a few minutes each day just appreciating the small things around you. Quiet everything down and just sit and appreciate. You could go for a 5-minute walk if that makes you feel more rejuvenated.

3. Take 5 minutes for your relationships.

For this one, I often like to text or phone a friend I haven’t talked to in a while.

Sometimes time just seems to slip away, and before you know it, you haven’t talked to a friend in months! By making this a part of my daily routine, I’m better able to nurture those relationships, which makes me feel good—and I think makes them feel good too!

4. Take 1-2 minutes to just breathe. 

On some days, we feel like we’re just constantly on the move, putting out fires. And when we’re busy like that, we often forget to breathe.

Take one minute out of your day to take a huge inhale and exhale. Don’t think of anything but your breath. Let your body relax into it.

If just focusing on your breath for a minute feels good, that’s great! If you want to do a little extra, you can try a breathing exercise like 4-7-8 breathing, which helps ease stress and anxiety.

I know when I’m having a stressful day, just remembering to breathe deeply makes me feel so much better.

5. Take an hour (or three) for your family. 

We have a rule in my house: No business after 7 p.m. It’s family time.

I’m not always good at sticking to it, but my husband is great at helping me remember this. I’ll shut down the laptop and silence my phone and just enjoy dinner and a movie with my family.

Even on our busiest days, we can’t forget to stick to our values and what is most important to us. That’s what we do it all for!

What bite-sized moments will you create in your own life? Please leave me a comment and share! I’d love to know which of these tips you’re going to incorporate into your routine or what awesome ideas you have!

Now go take 5 minutes just for you. Do something that makes you smile, whether that’s petting your dog, calling up a friend or taking a bath! 🙂