Stop Feeling Busy — How to Truly Control Your Free Time | Laura Vanderkam | TED Talk

Imagine this: You wake up excited every morning, check off big goals like spending time with family or learning a new skill, and end your day feeling full and happy. No more "I don't have time" excuses. Sounds impossible? One popular talk show it's not. 

A time expert studied the schedules of super busy people and found a shocking truth: We all have 168 hours available every week. The secret? Use them wisely for what really matters. This article breaks down simple steps to take control of your time and build the life you want. Get ready to feel motivated and take action!

Why "No Time" Is Just an Excuse

Most people say they are too busy. But here's the truth: Time stretches like rubber. When something big hits – like a flooded basement from a broken water heater – you suddenly find hours you didn't know you had. In one real example, a busy woman dealt with plumbers and cleaners. It took seven full hours that week. Yet if you asked her earlier, "Can you find seven hours to exercise or help someone?", she would say no.

Why does this happen? Because emergencies force us to act. Now, turn that power on your dreams. Treat your goals like that water mess. For instance, successful people don't save tiny bits of time by skipping turns in traffic or fast-forwarding TV ads. That's backward thinking. Instead, they build lives they love first. Then, time magically appears. As the expert says, "We build the lives we want, and then time saves itself."

Change Your Words, Change Your Life

Listen to this: A super busy mom with six kids and her own business went hiking on a sunny morning instead of working. When asked how she finds time, she smiled and said, "Everything I do is my choice." She never says, "I don't have time for that." Instead, she says, "It's not a priority."

Try it yourself. Stop saying, "I don't have time to read a book." Say, "Reading is not my priority." This small switch hits hard. It shows you control your choices. Sure, some choices bring tough results, like missing a deadline. But over time, smart people fill their days with what counts. Next time you skip exercise or family time, ask: Is this really my priority?

Step 1: Plan Your Wins Before They Happen

Want a great year? Write your success story now. Pretend it's the end of next year. You crushed it at work and home. What three to five things made it amazing? Maybe you learned a new skill, spent weekends with loved ones, or helped your community.

Do the same for family. Imagine writing a happy update letter to friends. What fun trips or proud moments happened? Now you have six to ten clear goals.

Break them into easy steps. Goal: Run a short race? Find one, sign up, grab running shoes, and make a simple training plan. Goal: Write family stories? Read examples, list questions for relatives, and book chat times.

Step 2: Block Time Like It's Your Job

Here's the game-changer: Put your goals in your calendar first. Do this on Friday afternoons. Why then? No one rushes big plans on Fridays. It's low-pressure time.

Make a quick list in three boxes: Work, Relationships, Self. Put two or three items in each. Look at next week. Slot them in. Maybe Tuesday evenings for learning. Saturday mornings for family fun.

Lives differ. Some care for kids alone or work long hours. But numbers don't lie. A full-time job takes 40 hours. Sleep takes 56 hours (eight per night). That leaves 72 hours for everything else! Even 60-hour weeks leave 52 hours free. People guess they work 75 hours, but logs show 25 fewer. Plenty of time exists if you claim it.

Use Small Moments for Big Joy

Bits of time add up. On a bus ride? Read something fun instead of emails. Work break? Breathe deep or pray. Crazy dinner schedule? Try a family breakfast.

One tip: Track your week once. Note every hour. You'll see hidden time in TV watching or scrolling. Turn it into joy. The expert found busy women with jobs, kids, and duties still fit priorities. You can too.

Real-Life Wins That Inspire

Picture a business owner with a team and a big family. She hikes because it matters. Or the woman with the flood – she carved out seven hours fast. These stories prove: When you decide, time bends.

Studies back this. Busy pros log time and find space for exercise, volunteering, or studying. No magic. Just choice and planning. You hold the power to swap "busy" for "meaningful."

Conclusion: Your 168 Hours Wait – Grab Them!

You get 168 hours weekly. No more, no less. But you decide what fills them. Stop chasing tiny time hacks. Pick priorities. Plan ahead. Say no to low-value stuff. Build your dream life step by step.

Start today. Grab paper. Write next year's wins. Block Friday time. Watch your life change. Feel the excitement? That's your future calling. Go make it real!

FAQ: Quick Answers to Your Time Questions

Q: What if I really work 60+ hours?
A: Even then, 52 hours remain after sleep. Track one week. You'll spot extras in evenings or weekends. Prioritise ruthlessly.

Q: How do I pick my top goals?
A: Ask: What makes next year amazing? List three to five for work and life. Make them exciting, not boring chores.

Q: Friday planning feels weird. When else?
A: Any calm moment works. Sunday evenings or Monday mornings. Just do it weekly.

Q: Kids or family duties eat my time. Help?
A: Slot family as a priority. Short breakfast chats count. Involve them in goals for shared wins.

Q: I forget plans. Tips?
A: Use phone alerts. Review your three-box list daily. Small habits stick.

Q: This works for big goals only?
A: No! Use bits for joy – read on commutes, walk during calls. Every minute counts.