Our lives are full of systems and routines.
Often these are beneficial and necessary in our lives.
Systems at work include invoicing, time logs, and other administrative tasks.
Systems at home include food preparation, laundry, cleaning and so much more.
Finding ways to make our systems more efficient frees up time for other things.
Here’s a two-step process for squeezing out time.
Step 1 – RAD
This process is to Remove, Automate, or Delegate.
Remove – Does this system, routine, or process need to be done? If not, stop doing it.
Automate – Can this system be automated via a machine or AI assistance? If so, automate.
Delegate – Are you able to assign this system to someone else at work or home? If so, delegate.
I recommend going in the order above.
If something is removed, it doesn’t need to be automated or delegated.
If we automate, we don’t need to delegate.
Step 2 – Simplify
Once we have taken the initial step there should be less systems and routines on our plate.
We can now go back to each of those and look for ways to simplify.
Can steps be removed?
Is there an alternative approach that would take less time?
Summary
This is a great process to evaluate our systems and routines once or twice a year.
Audit where we are.
Look for efficiency.
Find time for things that really matter.
Your Turn
Have you ever done an audit of your systems and routines?
Do you think this process could help you find efficiencies?
What are three systems taking up time that you could evaluate today?