If you wake up feeling like you’re already behind and overwhelmed, perhaps it’s time to reframe the way you look at the day. The issue may not be that you don’t have enough time in the day to get things done, it could just be that you planned unrealistically.

Why do we fall into this problematic way of thinking? According to one writer from Fast Company, this happens because you really have no idea how long it takes you to complete tasks, skewing how much time you think you have or need. This way of thinking makes you overestimate how much you can do in one day, leaving you feeling that you’ve fallen behind.

Here are some tips for reframing this thought process and increasing your productivity.

Audit your day

One way of fixing this issue is by auditing your day to figure out how long things take. No one likes to hear the word “audit,” but this practice is crucial to figuring out where your time is going. If you don’t have an understanding of your time and tasks, then this can be like trying to assemble a puzzle with unmatching pieces. 

To audit your day, write down the time it takes you to finish every task you have on your to-do list, and be specific. For example: editing the quarterly report 10:56-11:22, lunch time 12:03-12:45. By the end of the day, you’ll have a better idea of how much you can do in one day. You’ll also start understanding your own work patterns better.

Don’t plan to do too much

Another way to fix the issue of time scarcity is simply by resisting the urge to do so much stuff. Of course, you can analyze your schedule to death and shave a few minutes off here and there, but do you know what saves you the most amount of time as quickly as possible? Doing less.

You can say no sometimes and skip things. Rather than cram your days with more, just slow down and appreciate what you are able to do. You might find it helps improve the quality of your work and life in general. We understand saying no to people is a difficult task, but it is essential for your well-being. Here are some signs you need to say no from time to time.