Where to start when you want to start taking control

Use your in-built sensor. The one that helps you observe other people, to observe yourself. Imagine you have a big selfie stick attached to your left shoulder for a day. It’s following you when you’re at work, it’s with you when you’re having a shower, and it’s your companion even when you’re just watching tv.

When you play back the footage, what does it show you?

Write it down.

1. Snoozed the alarm

2. And again

3. And again

4. Finally got up

5. Put on flip flops

6. Waddled to the bathroom

7. Brushed teeth

8. Checked emails while brushing teeth

9. Jumped in the shower

Use it to get to know yourself. Don’t try to cut out everything you think is ‘not ideal’. You can’t aim to be effective all day everyday, you’re not a robot.

Just this exercise of observing yourself for a day will help you understand where you can get time. Where you have potential. Where you can do things (slightly) differently.