person holding burning paper with 'time' on it

Do you want to know one of the things that comes up the most in meetings we have with business owners (other than ‘how can I save tax’)?

“I need more time in the day to work on my business”.

But are you just busy being busy, or are you being productive?

“Don’t confuse activity with productivity. Many people are simply busy being busy” – Robin Sharma (author of The 5am Club)

At our internal annual conference, Holly spoke about something we call ‘KUTA’ time.

Time is our only non-renewable asset. Money will come and go. Energy will ebb and flow. Love will increase and decrease. But has anyone ever managed to create an extra minute of time?

No.

Your KUTA time is your ‘Kick Up The A***’ time.

To work out your KUTA time, you need to: 

 

Calculate your average life expectancy – 80 years
Hours in the day – 24
Block out where you are now

 

Block out when you want to retire
Average sleep – 8 hours
Block out time you need for eating and personal hygiene
Block out time for relaxing / exercise etc
Block out time for looking after and seeing family and friends

This is your KUTA time

The block you have left is your remaining working years of your life. Look at everything you’ve had or will use.
KUTA time is all you have left to make a difference.

On average someone who works 8 hours a day will do:

  • 3 productive hours
  • 5 squandered hours

Someone who is deeply productive and on their ‘A’ game should be able to do:

  • 5 productive hours
  • 3 hours of white space/thinking time/down time

Strategies to enhance your KUTA time

Prioritise Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix

One of the most effective ways to ensure you’re focusing on what truly matters is by using the Eisenhower Matrix. This tool helps you categorise tasks into four quadrants:

  1. Urgent and Important: Do these tasks immediately.
  2. Important but Not Urgent: Schedule these tasks.
  3. Urgent but Not Important: Delegate these tasks.
  4. Neither Urgent nor Important: Eliminate these tasks.

By regularly assessing and categorising your tasks, you can focus more on strategic activities that drive long-term success.

Adopt the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that can significantly boost your productivity. It involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. This technique helps maintain high levels of focus and mental agility.

Use Technology Wisely

Numerous apps and tools can help you manage your time more effectively. For instance:

  • Trello or Asana for project management and task tracking.
  • RescueTime to analyse how you spend your digital time and identify areas for improvement.
  • Focus@Will to provide background music scientifically optimised to improve concentration.
Set SMART Goals

Setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound can help you stay focused and motivated. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks to maintain momentum and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Implement a Morning Routine

Starting your day with a structured morning routine can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. This might include exercise, meditation, and planning your day’s tasks. Robin Sharma, author of The 5am Club, advocates for a “20/20/20” formula: 20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of planning, and 20 minutes of learning.

Delegate and Outsource

Recognise tasks that can be delegated or outsourced. This frees up your time to focus on high-value activities that require your specific skills and expertise.

Maximising your KUTA time is about making conscious choices and implementing strategies that enhance productivity and efficiency.

Your time is your most valuable asset—use it wisely to achieve your business and personal goals.

Want to find out more?

Call us on (01474) 853856 and we will put you in contact with one of our advisers, or send us an enquiry by clicking below.

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