Alright, folks, grab your popcorn and put your phones on silent, because we’re diving into the biggest mystery of our time: Where does all our time go? Spoiler alert: it’s being hijacked by Netflix and WhatsApp.

Today actually someone popped this question again, - A Dedicated Painting site, E-commerce venture with my wife, Running stats, and a decent Golf Handicap—and asked, "How do you find time for all this with your regular job?" The answer is simpler than you think. It’s called reclaiming your time.

The Great Escape from the Screen Trap

Think about it. We all have 24 hours in a day. Let’s break it down:

• Job: 5 to 8 hours (depending on your gig).
• Sleep: 8 hours (beauty rest is non-negotiable).
• Commuting: 2 hours (unless you're lucky like me, with a 5-minute commute).
• Grooming and Meals: 2 hours (give or take).

That adds up to 17 to 20 hours. Even on the busiest days, you still have 4 to 7 hours left. Now, what do most of us do with this time?

Enter Netflix and WhatsApp—the ultimate time thieves.

The Netflix Dilemma

Netflix claims its biggest competitor is sleep, not other channels. But guess what? It’s not sleep they’re competing with—it’s you. You have the remote, the power to hit pause, to decide what and when to watch. But somehow, we’ve handed over our time willingly, letting autoplay episodes eat away at our precious hours.

The WhatsApp Black Hole

WhatsApp is the other culprit. The moment you pick up your phone to check a message, you're sucked into a vortex of chats, memes, and forwarded messages that somehow feel urgent but are utterly trivial. Before you know it, an hour has vanished.

The Simple Math of Time Management

Let’s do some simple math. After accounting for job, sleep, commuting, and essentials, you have at least 4 hours left. Dedicate 1 hour to family and friends. That still leaves you with 3 hours. Three whole hours to follow your passions, learn something new, or even start that side hustle you’ve been dreaming about. Do your own Math, Give time to everything you feel important and your will still observe a few Hidden Hours to Run, Play a game of snooker in office or just pick out that Long Forgotten Book. 

Tips to Reclaim Your Time

Here are some tips to help you make the most of those precious hours:

1. Listen to Audiobooks: I use Audible to listen to my favorite books while walking a kilometer or two before starting my Run. After my Run, I walk back while continuing to listen. This works wonders on long drives, too. Instead of music that fades away and makes you sleepy, a good book keeps you mentally awake and engaged.

2. Pick Up a Book Before Bed: Instead of staring at your phone's blue light, which hurts your eyes and disrupts sleep, pick up a book. It’s a great way to wind down and ensure a better night's rest.

3. Optimize Commute Time: If you have a long commute, use that time efficiently. I know a friend who keeps a note of calls to make during her commute. Her standard response is, "I’ll call you back," and she handles all her calls while traveling to and from the office.

4. Mute Notifications: Keep your phone upside down and mute notifications. This will make you the master of your phone, not a slave to every pop-up.

5. Message instead of Call: If its not important and not someone whose voice you were missing, message and then let them answer it in their own time. follow that yourself. You don't have to reply to every message immediately. A message means it will be answered in your own time and do that wisely. 

6. Walk and Think: Need to brainstorm or work through a problem? Go for a run or walk alone, leaving your phone behind. You’ll be amazed at the brilliant ideas that come to you.

7. Weekend Planning: Keep notes and plans ready for weekends. List the items you need to prepare for the week, so you know exactly what and where to shop. Plan movies or dinners as rewards for completing tasks.

8. Use Zomato Efficiently: Save a list of your favorite orders and restaurants on Zomato. This will save you a lot of time thinking about what to order and where to go.

Reclaim Your Time

Here’s the secret: use your Netflix and WhatsApp time wisely. Turn those binge-watching hours into creative power hours. Transform those endless chat sessions into productive moments.

Instead of marathoning the latest series, watch an episode as a reward after completing a task. Swap out endless scrolling for meaningful conversations or, better yet, put the phone down and pick up a new skill.

Wrap-Up: Be the Boss of Your Time

Remember, you’re not a slave to your screens. You have the remote control of your life. Use it. Because the real competition isn’t sleep, it’s you and how you choose to spend your time.

So next time someone asks how you manage to do it all, tell them: “It’s simple. I stopped wasting time and started owning it.”

Feeling inspired to reclaim your time? 

How about expressing your new-found productivity with some cool tees and coffee mugs from IndiPeepal? Check out these products by clicking on images and wear your passion on your sleeve—literally!

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