The complexity of time management

The One Page Review # 5

Hi 👋 friends,

I came across this quote and it helped bring about a major shift in how I’m planning and strategizing my first goal of reaching $5K a month:

"You can do anything, but you can't do everything."

Managing my time has been one of the hardest things I’ve tried to figure out, and the irony is, trying to get it just right has probably wasted more time than anything else. I’ve spent hours watching videos on time management, trying different techniques, but the pressure to be productive has been tough. And when you’re feeling like time is slipping through your fingers, the guilt and regret that come with it make it even worse.

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🔧 1. What’s Working for Me

Regret over wasted time hits hard. I’ve realized that chasing the “perfect” system often just adds pressure. What’s been helping instead is letting go of the idea that there’s one right way to manage time — and just focusing on a few simple steps that actually work for me.

🏙️ 2. Life in the City

I went to watch the tennis ATP Tour over the weekend, and the hot weather almost killed me. Canadian weather is always at the extremes — too hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter 🥵❄️

💭 3. Thought

If you’re constantly searching for a magic method to finally get things done, you’re not really focused on the work itself. What you’re craving is that feeling of being productive. But the reality is, there’s no perfect system. It’s about figuring out how to get things done in a way that doesn’t leave you feeling overwhelmed or trapped.

So here are the three simple rules I’m following to help me focus, make better use of my time, and stop feeling like the clock is always running out:

Create a Priority List by Quarter

We all want to make the most of the year ahead, but the problem with planning for a whole year is that it’s a long time. If you’re in a phase of your life where you’re trying new things or shifting focus, it can be hard to stick with one plan for 12 months straight. Breaking it down into quarterly goals—focusing on just three key things every few months—helps you stay on track without feeling stuck.

Don’t Keep Your Goals Vague

Ever looked at a restaurant menu with a hundred different options? It’s overwhelming. Sometimes there’s so much to choose from that you end up wanting nothing at all. The same thing happens with vague goals. Saying you want to “be healthy” or “be productive” doesn’t really mean much to your brain.

Use a Calendar

1I used to think scheduling every minute of my day was the key to success. But honestly, that just made me feel trapped—and the second I fell behind, my whole day would fall apart. Now, simply adding items to a calendar makes it so much easier to navigate the days and weeks. It actually gives me a sense of freedom.

Time is something you never get back, and figuring out how to manage it in a way that works for you is the real challenge. You don’t need a perfect system, just something simple and flexible. The more you let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on what truly matters, the better you’ll feel about how you’re using your time—and, honestly, the less stressful it’ll be.

Shermeen