Latest news with #time management
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
Ten things Brits hate about adulting the most from constant cleaning to overspending at the shops, survey reveals
BRITS have revealed the worst things about 'adulting' – with constantly cleaning, the mental load - and never having time for anything at the top of the list. A poll of 2,000 Brits found 19 per cent bemoaned struggling with mysterious joint pain for seemingly no reason. 1 While nearly a tenth (eight per cent) get wound up trying to remember every single password they've ever created. It also emerged 78 per cent feel there are simply not enough hours in the day, rising to 90 per cent for Millennials. With the average adult spending 364 hours a year simply making dinner - 2.6 years of their lives in total. As a result, 80 per cent of 29-44-year-olds claim just one extra hour a day would vastly improve their mood. A spokesperson for meal prep company Frive, which commissioned the research, said: "People feel like passengers in their own lives. 'Many of us grow up thinking that once we reach a certain age, everything will click into place - but the truth is, being an adult comes with a steep learning curve that no one really prepares you for.' Other things respondents hate about being an adult included feeling there was no one to take care of them (16 per cent). While 13 per cent are often left frustrated by going to the shop for one thing - and somehow ending up spending £40. But having to 'adult' has left 63 per cent of time-poor Millennials unable to do any of the things they really want to do - namely relaxing (58 per cent). As 56 per cent admitted 'adulting' was harder than they expected it to be. I'm a cleaning whizz, using a 15p household item will make your tap shine in minutes And 73 per cent think cooking from scratch each night is an absolute chore, leading a third of them to use a meal prep service. Frive's spokesperson added: 'Modern life has shifted the goalposts, too. 'With the rising cost of living, an unpredictable housing market, and digital overload, the expectations placed on adults today are higher than ever. 'Yet we're still expected to juggle it all with a smile – even when it feels like we're just winging it. 'If we can give them back an hour, with healthy, natural fully prepared meals, that's an act of care.'
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Why setting boundaries makes you more valuable at work
Here's a truth that will challenge everything you think you know about success: The most impactful leaders are also the most vigilant about protecting their time. While everyone else is drowning in back-to-back meetings and late-night email marathons, these executives have mastered the art of harmonious integration, strategically aligning their energy with what truly matters while gracefully declining what doesn't serve their highest contribution. In my coaching practice, I've been tracking this phenomenon with 47 C-suite executives over the past two years. Those who consistently hold firm boundaries around their availability aren't just happier, they're advancing faster. This isn't about achieving perfect work-life balance, because—let's be honest—that mythical equilibrium rarely exists. Instead, it's about making conscious choices about where you invest your most precious resource: your attention. The data behind strategic boundaries The data backs this up in ways that should make every ambitious professional pay attention. Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report revealed that 'global employee engagement declined to just 21% in 2024, with managers experiencing the largest drop.' Additionally, the report found, disengagement cost the global economy $438 billion in 2024. But here's where it gets interesting: According to a Slack State of Work report, 67% of workers believe that having predictable blocks of time when everyone is disconnected would improve their productivity. Take Sarah, a VP at a major tech company who stopped responding to emails after 7 p.m. and started declining meetings that didn't align with her quarterly priorities. Her manager's reaction wasn't frustration, it was relief. 'Finally,' he told her, 'someone who knows what they're worth.' She was promoted within six months. This isn't an anomaly. It's a pattern that reveals something profound about how value is perceived in the modern workplace. Strategic thinking over heroic effort Here's what most professionals get wrong: They think being available equals being valuable. But in a world where 48% of employees report being productive less than 75% of the time, what's scarce—and therefore valuable—is focused, strategic thinking. Four-day workweek trials have shown 20% productivity improvements, proving that working smarter consistently beats working longer. When you protect your energy for high-impact work, people notice. When you're selective about your yes, your contributions carry exponentially more weight. Consider this: In Slack's State of Work report, 77% of those surveyed said that the ability to automate routine tasks would boost productivity. The same report found that workers who did use automation saved 3.6 hours weekly. The leaders who are thriving aren't just automating tasks, they're automating their decision-making about what deserves their attention. They've created systematic boundaries that filter out the noise so they can focus on what moves the needle. The strategic 'no' framework Effective boundary setting isn't about being difficult; it's about being deliberate. The highest performers I work with use what I call the 'Strategic 'No' Framework.' Alignment Over Availability: Before saying yes to any request, they ask: Does this align with my top three priorities this quarter? If the answer is no, they offer alternatives or decline politely but firmly. Value-Based Scheduling: They block calendar time for deep work and treat it as sacred as any client meeting. This isn't selfishness—it's strategic resource management. Communication Clarity: They set explicit expectations about response times and availability. Instead of being reactive, they proactively communicate their boundaries, which actually increases trust and respect. When you evaluate opportunities through these lenses, saying no becomes easier, not because you're being difficult, but because you're being deliberate about creating harmony at work. The most successful executives have mastered the art of saying no without saying no. Instead of 'I can't take on that project,' they say, 'To give this the attention it deserves, I'd need to shift priorities. Which of my current commitments should I deprioritize?' This language does something powerful: It positions them as strategic thinkers who understand resource allocation, not as people trying to avoid work. Why this matters now We're at a pivotal moment in workplace culture: 82% of workers say feeling happy and engaged at work is key to their productivity. However, engagement continues to plummet. The old model of proving dedication through hours logged is not only outdated, it's counterproductive. Smart organizations are recognizing that their most valuable employees aren't the ones who say yes to everything, they're the ones who say yes to the right things. They're looking for people who can cut through the noise, focus on strategic priorities, and deliver exceptional results rather than just exceptional effort. The leaders who understand this are advancing in their careers and redefining what leadership looks like in the modern workplace. They're proving that in a world obsessed with productivity, the most productive thing you can do is be intentional about where you direct your attention. The boundary advantage When you protect your time and energy for high-impact activities, you perform better and you become more valuable. You shift from being seen as a worker to being seen as a strategic asset who understands how to integrate all aspects of life into a coherent, powerful whole. The question isn't whether you can afford to set boundaries. In today's economy of attention, the question is whether you can afford not to make conscious choices about where you invest your energy.
