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There are already so many cliches about productivity: use your time wisely, learn how to prioritize, don\u2019t check your emails in the morning, et cetera. But most productivity tools and tips focus on short-term life hacks to get more things done. I came across a new way of looking at time and tasks that really helped me approach productivity from a more long-term mindset.<\/p>\n
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James Clear, citing Patrick McKenzie, wrote about time assets<\/strong> and time debts<\/strong>. He explains how differentiating the two could help you make decisions that save you more time in the long run. He wrote:<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n TIME ASSETS <\/strong>are actions or choices you make today that will save you time in the future. An example is software. It takes a long time to build a software, but it eventually saves you time when you no longer have to manually input and compute data.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n TIME DEBTS<\/strong> are actions or choices you make today that will cost you additional time in the future. An example is email. Each email you send is a time debt because you have to read and reply to responses afterward. Another example comments in blog\/social media posts. It\u2019s a joy to hear from readers, but every time you publish an article\/social media post with a comments section, you create a time debt that you have to pay back by approving and moderating comments.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n Despite recognizing emails and comments in blog posts\/social media posts as time debts, I choose not to avoid them. After all, time debts do not always mean time wasters. Some time debts are worthwhile.<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n For example, yes, emails are time debts. For each email I send out, I\u2019m aware that I will have to spend time reading and replying to the response. But for me, most emails are worth it. I get to network with people relevant to my work. I\u2019m able to save precious time by communicating remotely with others\u2014versus setting up meetings that could have been an email.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n In the same way, every post I make that has a comments section will demand time for me later on. I have to read, approve, and reply to comments\u2014but these comments help me assess how best to serve my community. They\u2019re both valuable and enjoyable.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n But what\u2019s important is that you have to be aware every time you\u2019re creating time debts. That way, before you create one, you can assess whether or not it\u2019s worthwhile. After all, some time debts seem worthwhile in the beginning, but you can develop time assets to replace those time debts.<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n For example, let\u2019s say you\u2019re an entrepreneur who sells items online. You get hundreds of Instagram DM\u2019s per day. You might think to yourself, \u201cYes, replying is a time debt. But 5% of these inquiries eventually become my customers! And 2% of these emails are from people in the media, which help me get media mileage.\u201d 93% of the messages are potential customers who don\u2019t convert to real customers\u2014just curious potential buyers. It seems like it\u2019s a worthwhile time debt until you realize you spend more time answering emails than expanding your business or improving your business strategy.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n Maybe setting up a website with an e-commerce platform (complete with automated checkouts, payment gateways, complete product descriptions, and an FAQ section) would be your time asset.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you\u2019re a freelance creative and you get so many emails from people interested to partner with your website or hire you for a freelance project. You reply to all those inquiries\u2014on Instagram DM, your Facebook page, through your email, et cetera. You spend more time answering emails from potential clients (most of whom attempt to lowball you) than honing your craft. Maybe setting up a website with your portfolio will help, especially if you have an FAQ section and a Contact Form. I know money is always a sensitive subject, but I know of some freelancers who already post a ballpark figure of their rates. For example, \u201cService ABC starts at 10,000 pesos.\u201d That way, the email inquiries they get are hot leads.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n Setting up websites and FAQ pages may take so much more time (and might require more money), but it saves you so much time in the long run. You\u2019ll be able to spend that time doing what you do best.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n