Are You Really Out of Time, Lykkers? Do you ever feel like 24 hours in a day just isn't enough?

No matter how hard we try, we still end up feeling drained and unaccomplished. But guess what? The problem isn't that we don't have enough time — it's that sneaky little “time thieves” are stealing our precious moments.

Let's dive into the four biggest culprits and learn how to reclaim control over our schedules!

Time Isn't Always the Problem

Many of us think we're too busy because there's just too much to do.

But bestselling author and time management expert Laura Vanderkam says that people who feel like they have enough time aren't necessarily less busy. Instead, they know how to spend their time wisely, focusing on activities that bring joy and meaning.

These people don't waste time on things that don't matter — like mindlessly scrolling through social media during dinner or multitasking when catching up with friends.

Do You Really Need More Time?

Cassie Holmes, a behavioral science professor, had a similar realization.

After having kids and returning to work, she was overwhelmed by endless meetings, classes, and research. Despite following a packed schedule and completing all her tasks, she still felt exhausted.

This led her to ask: “Do I need more time to finish everything, or do I need time to do what I enjoy?”

Her research showed that having too little free time (less than 2 hours a day) lowers happiness, but surprisingly, having too much free time (over 5 hours) doesn't make people any happier.

Why? Too much free time can lead to boredom and a lack of purpose.

Prioritize What Makes You Happy

Holmes realized that it wasn't about how much time she had but how she used it.

She listed the things that brought her joy — cuddling her kids, having dinner with her husband, chatting with friends, and reading bedtime stories.

All of this took less than 2 hours a day!

By focusing on these moments, she felt more fulfilled.

To make it work, she cut distractions at work, outsourced chores, and politely declined unnecessary commitments.

Think of Time Like a Jar

Vanderkam uses the “golf ball jar” analogy to explain time management.

Imagine your time as a jar. If you fill it with sand (trivial tasks) first, there's no room for the big, important stuff — the “golf balls” that represent family, friends, health, and hobbies.

But if you put the golf balls in first, the sand will still fit around them.

The point? Prioritize the things that truly matter before everything else crowds them out.

Watch Out for These 4 Time Thieves

According to The Power of Pause, several “time thieves” quietly steal away our precious moments.

If we're not careful, they leave us feeling like there's never enough time.

Here's what to watch out for:

1. Saying Yes to Everything

If you're always the “go-to” person who says yes to every request, you're likely overloading yourself.

Whether it's taking on extra work or agreeing to favors that don't align with your goals, saying yes to everything drains your time and energy.

Solution? Ask yourself, “Can I let this go?”

2. Chasing Perfection

Perfectionism makes us spend way too much time on tasks that don't require it.

We get stuck tweaking small details, wasting precious hours.

Instead, ask yourself, “Is this good enough?”

Aim for progress, not perfection.

3. Information Overload

Constantly checking notifications, emails, and social media can leave us feeling frazzled.

We think staying connected keeps us informed, but it often distracts us from meaningful tasks.

Ask yourself, “Do I really need to know this right now?”

4. Focusing Only on Short-Term Goals

When we're too focused on getting through the day, we forget to think long-term.

Without a bigger plan, we spend time putting out small fires instead of working toward meaningful goals.

Pause and ask, “What's truly worth my time?”

Take Back Control of Your Time

Lykkers, when we become aware of these time thieves, we can stop letting them run the show.

Focus on what matters most, say no when needed, and give yourself the space to enjoy life.

You've got this!

So, what's one thing you'll do today to protect your time?

Let's make every minute count!