The Free-Time Formula
Strategies to balance busyness with relaxation for happiness and productivity.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- Decide what matters most
- Simplify your schedule
- Stop pursuing perfection
- Optimize your work habits
- Harness the power of habits
- Prioritize self-care
- Learn to say no
key point 1 of 7
Decide what matters most
Deciding what matters most is about defining your priorities, which means taking deliberate steps to focus on things that truly matter and add value to your life. It’s more than just listing down things you like; it’s about knowing what you want to achieve, and aligning your actions and habits toward these goals. This involves serious introspection about your values, passions, and long-term visions. It’s about making choices every day that bring you closer to where you want to be, and eliminating distractions or tasks that do not contribute to these goals. ..Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 7
Simplify your schedule
Simplifying your schedule doesn’t mean removing everything from it. The first step is to understand the difference between ‘busy’ and ‘productive’. Being busy is being engaged in action or activity, but being productive means you are producing results. Therefore, the goal should not be to fill up your schedule with actions, but to fill it with productive activities…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 7
Stop pursuing perfection
Stop pursuing perfection is a perspective that is highly emphasized in the book. It is based on the notion that perfection is unattainable, and the endless pursuit of it only leads to stress, dissatisfaction, and a perpetual feeling of inadequacy. This approach suggests that you should focus more on progress rather than perfection. The key is to keep improving and moving forward, regardless of the imperfections that come along the way. The pursuit of perfection can inhibit creativity, cause stress, and lead to a fear of failure, which inhibits progress and growth…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 7
Optimize your work habits
The Free-Time Formula puts forward the notion that optimizing work habits is not merely about increasing productivity, but about creating a work-life balance that enhances overall quality of life. It emphasizes the idea that ‘busy’ doesn’t always equate to being productive and that constant busyness can lead to burnout. Recognizing the importance of downtime and rest is also a part of optimizing work habits…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 7
Harness the power of habits
Harnessing the power of habits begins with understanding that our daily actions are driven by a complex system of routines. These routines can be productive or detrimental, depending on our awareness and management of them. Recognizing the habits that contribute positively to our lives can empower us to take control of our actions, leading to efficient use of our free time…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 7
Prioritize self-care
Prioritizing self-care is emphasized as a fundamental part of achieving true productivity and balance. It starts from acknowledging that self-care is not about indulgence or selfishness; instead, it is about maintaining physical, mental, and psychological well-being. The importance of self-care lies in its capacity to refresh and recharge us, allowing us to perform better in our personal and professional lives…Read&Listen More
key point 7 of 7
Learn to say no
Learning to say no is an important aspect of creating free time for oneself. Many of us tend to overload our schedules with tasks, meetings, and obligations, either out of a desire to please others or out of a fear of missing out. This often leaves us with little time for ourselves and our personal goals. Saying no can be difficult, especially when the request comes from a colleague, friend, or family member, but it is often necessary in order to maintain a healthy work-life balance…Read&Listen More