🕊️ Giving away your time GIVES you time

Well, giving away your time makes you feel like you have more time at least - which is almost the same thing (if not better!).

This article from Harvard Business Review explains why people who give time away actually end up feeling like they have more time, not less.

Giving your time to others can make you feel more “time affluent” and less time-constrained. Yes, objectively those that volunteer have less time at first, but they feel more effective and that feeling enhances their overall productivity.

I would argue that our sense of time is often more important than our time reality. Feeling like I have time helps me to feel both relaxed and focused (which in turns helps me be more productive and get more time!). Beliefs trump reality.

So, what can you do to feel like you have more time?

Volunteering is a great place to start. Now, I know you likely feel like you have limited time. Fortunately, research shows that it doesn’t matter how much time you spend volunteering - any time given makes you feel like you have more time.

Volunteering doesn’t have to be cause-led, I help organise my local board game event for example.

Start small, you can build up from there. It is worth it.

The benefits of volunteering are well documented. You can read more here, and here, and here.

What else can you do to feel like you have more time?

Aside from volunteering, research shows that thinking about the present moment instead of the future slows the perceived passage of time.

This one simple exercise, initially intended to treat anxiety but great for productivity, is amazing at improving your sense of time and control.

Studies show that breathing more deeply helps too. I always take multiple breaks in the day to simply breath deeply - it sounds unlikely but it really does help. I recommend building this into your schedule.

Whatever route you choose, you want to work towards the feeling of having more time right now regardless of how much time you currently have.

Feeling like you have time improves your decisions and your productivity, both of which actually bring you more time.

Feeling like you have time is an important first step to actually getting more time.

I shared this in my Work Smart Wednesday newsletter. Want the full set of related insights? You can read them here: https://worksmartwednesday.substack.com/p/work-smart-wednesday-november-1-2023

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