Time Management Tactics for Busy People

I recently finished reading The Time Management Solution: 21 Proven Tactics to Increase Your Productivity, Reduce Your Stress, And Improve Your Work Life Balance by Damon Zahariades (that was a mouthful). I’m a huge fan of self improvement and productivity books, and this book didn’t disappoint. I knew of time blocking and to do list apps, but this book really opened my eyes to the myriad possibilities of time management. Here are 21 tactics for time management that will transform your life.

1. Set Clear Goals – Define exactly what you want to achieve daily, weekly, and long-term.
2. Prioritize with the 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle) – Focus on the 20% of tasks that deliver 80% of results.
3. Use the Eisenhower Matrix – Separate urgent vs. important tasks to avoid time traps.
4. Plan Your Day the Night Before – Reduce decision fatigue by starting with a roadmap.
5. Time Blocking – Dedicate chunks of time to focused work without interruptions.
6. Apply the Pomodoro Technique – Work in short bursts (25–50 mins) with breaks to maintain energy.
7. Limit Multitasking – Do one thing at a time for higher efficiency and quality.
8. Batch Similar Tasks – Group tasks (emails, calls, errands) to reduce context switching.
9. Use Deadlines (Even Artificial Ones) – Deadlines create urgency and momentum.
10. Delegate & Outsource – Free yourself to focus on high-value activities.
11. Learn to Say No – Protect your priorities by not overcommitting.
12. Automate Repetitive Tasks – Use tools, templates, and apps to save time.
13. Reduce Meetings (or Keep Them Short) – Only attend meetings with clear agendas.
14. Apply the Two-Minute Rule – If it takes <2 minutes, do it immediately.
15. Minimize Distractions – Turn off notifications, clear your workspace, and set boundaries.
16. Track Your Time – Audit where your time goes to eliminate waste.
17. Use Checklists & Systems – Standardize repeat processes to save mental effort.
18. Schedule Breaks & Downtime – Recovery time boosts long-term productivity.
19. Maintain Work–Life Boundaries – Separate work hours and personal hours clearly.
20. Practice Mindfulness & Stress Management – Meditation, deep breathing, or journaling reduce burnout.
21. Continuous Review & Improvement – Reflect weekly on what’s working and refine your system.