Latest news with #timeManagement
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
How to Boost Your Productivity With This AI Tool
There are a lot of AI tools to help out your productivity at work, but not as much gets written about using AI for your home tasks. Time is the most precious thing you have -- so if you can save time on your weekly to-do list, in all parts of life, you could be saving a lot more time for the fun things. Just like money, there's no time savings too small. Saving 15 minutes on your weekly responsibilities is better than nothing. Become a time budgeter with the help of artificial intelligence. AI productivity tools can help you with a lot of things, like planning, saving and maximizing time on cleaning, cooking, exercising, shopping, scheduling, traveling and life admin. Look at the tasks you procrastinate on – this is where you can use the most support. ChatGPT seems to be one of the best AI productivity tools to chat with, so I'm testing out its time-saving chops. OpenAI's ChatGPT was released in 2022, but it has undergone major updates, notably to the free version. There's a premium subscription for $20 a month, but the free version is usually all you need. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) Review your week for pain points Society obsesses over AI being able to generate jokes or scripts in seconds, but does this really solve problems? No. Ponder on your personal pain points and use the tools tactically to find better or faster ways of doing things. If meals are always a mess, use ChatGPT as a co-cook. If you want to get the kids off screens, you could use ChatGPT to generate trivia questions for their age group. If you never know what to wear to work, you could ask AI to plan your week's outfits, based on your wardrobe. Contemplate how ChatGPT can best help you, with two to three top tasks or categories. AI productivity ideas For example, here are two weekly tasks (one home, one work) that could be organized and optimized with AI: 1. Family chores and housework. 2. Digitize handwritten meeting notes. AI to schedule family chores and housework Organize your family chore chart with ChatGPT. It's a handy tool to help assign age-appropriate housework tasks. You could ask ChatGPT to use a star or point system, which connects to your kids' allowance, screen time sessions or weekend activities. Let's use a family of four as an example: mom, dad, a 6-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl. In your prompt, include specific details that might affect a weekly schedule. For example, commuting to work, playing sports, music lessons and recurring household tasks. Prompt: "Create a weekly chore chart for a family of four, with kids aged 6 and 3. Include age-appropriate chores, the estimated time to complete each task, and a reward system based on points." I wanted to see what it generated, because it gave me ideas I hadn't thought of, such as watering house plants. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET And here's the points-based reward system it generated: Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET I asked ChatGPT to remove the dusting, vacuuming, sweeping and organizing books and toys from the kids' list, but make packing and unpacking the dishwasher a daily task and add help with cooking on Saturday or Sunday. I made a couple of requests, such as adding "get shoes on" daily, then asked ChatGPT to sort in order of daily to weekly tasks. I also asked it to switch up the parent tasks. Prompt: For parent tasks, change laundry to Wednesday and Sunday. Daily cooking, 1 hour a day including lunch and dinner. Vacuum on Sunday, 30 minutes. Clean stovetop, surfaces and toilet, 15 minutes. Dust on Sunday, 15 minutes. Take out trash and recycling, twice a week, 20 minutes. Meal plan and grocery shop on Sunday, 1 hour. If there are any errors, just ask ChatGPT to regenerate it. Small tweaks are to be expected. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET ChatGPT's reward system suggestions triggered an idea: The kids could earn bonus points if they help with any parent tasks, especially for Sunday's chores. You could even ask ChatGPT to turn its plan into a printable page to stick on your fridge to use as a scoreboard. AI to digitize handwritten notes Another way to gain AI productivity is to summarize handwritten meeting notes in seconds. If you're in multiple meetings during the week, use ChatGPT to digitize your handwriting. Download the ChatGPT app so you can easily take and upload a photo of your pages. Prompt: Transcribe these handwritten notes into text. Amanda Smith/CNET Then open up the desktop version to easily check the text and paste it in a word document. Keep the physical notes page (or photo) open to cross-check. I have the handwriting of a high school student, so I had to make a few requests. I told it that the sixth bullet should read "Clearer briefs – deadlines, time, priority list (one for you)." But still, not bad, ChatGPT! Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET While this might not save you hours per week, it's a good example of a small task that can be sped up with AI. Once you start using AI productivity tools for these tasks, the time savings will soon add up.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Canadians spending less time with friends, especially those of working age: StatCan
People eat and relax at picnic tables at the ByWard Market in Ottawa, on Friday, June 23, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang) A Statistics Canada report says Canadians are spending less time with friends than ever, with the decline sharpest among the working-age demographic. The new data shows that in 2022, only 19.3 per cent of Canadians saw friends on an average day, down from 47.9 per cent in 1986. The questions to those in the survey specify socializing as in-person with family and friends, separate from communicating using technology such as phone, email, or social media. The report says the sharpest drop was recorded for people between 25 and 64 years of age, where the likelihood of seeing a friend on any given day fell from 42 to 14 per cent in the 36-year period. Canadians between 15 and 24 years old also saw the likelihood of spending time with friends on an average day fall by more than 30 percentage points during that time, although younger people remain the most likely to have the interactions at 41 per cent in 2022. Statistics Canada says the trend coincides with a rising number of Canadians worrying that they are not spending enough time with friends and family, with more than 46 per cent of respondents feeling that way in 2022, versus just under 34 per cent in 1992. The report also shows Canadians in 2022 feel the most 'pressed for time' since the early 1990s when data collection began, with almost a quarter of respondents saying they feel such pressure when compared with 15 per cent three decades earlier. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press
Geeky Gadgets
5 days ago
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Game Changer: This AI Agent Can Save You 10 Hours a Week
Effective time management is a challenge for many, but AI agents are transforming how we approach productivity. By automating repetitive tasks, optimizing workflows, and managing schedules, these tools are reshaping the way we work and live. The video below from Shu Omi explores how AI-driven solutions can help you reclaim up to 10 hours a week, offering practical insights into their capabilities and real-world applications. Watch this video on YouTube. Streamlining Repetitive Tasks Repetitive tasks often consume significant time and energy, but AI agents excel at handling these efficiently. By automating routine activities, they allow you to focus on more meaningful and strategic work. For example: Email management: AI-powered email assistants can automatically categorize messages, prioritize responses, and even draft replies, significantly reducing the time spent on inbox management. AI-powered email assistants can automatically categorize messages, prioritize responses, and even draft replies, significantly reducing the time spent on inbox management. Data entry: Automating data entry tasks not only saves hours of manual effort but also minimizes errors, making sure greater accuracy. By delegating these mundane responsibilities to AI, you can redirect your energy toward tasks that require creativity, problem-solving, or critical thinking, ultimately adding more value to your day. Improving Workflow Management AI agents are highly effective at analyzing daily routines and identifying inefficiencies, offering solutions to streamline workflows. This capability ensures smoother operations and better time utilization. For instance: Task assignment: In team settings, AI tools can assign tasks, track progress, and monitor deadlines, fostering improved collaboration and accountability. In team settings, AI tools can assign tasks, track progress, and monitor deadlines, fostering improved collaboration and accountability. Error reduction: By providing clear, automated updates, AI minimizes errors caused by miscommunication or oversight, making sure that everyone stays aligned. Integrating AI into your workflow not only enhances precision and consistency but also boosts overall productivity, allowing you to achieve more in less time. Optimizing Task Scheduling Managing a packed schedule can be overwhelming, but AI-driven scheduling tools simplify this process by using predictive algorithms to allocate your time effectively. These tools help you stay organized and focused. For example: Calendar management: AI assistants can organize your calendar, set reminders, and reschedule appointments based on real-time changes, making sure you never miss an important event. AI assistants can organize your calendar, set reminders, and reschedule appointments based on real-time changes, making sure you never miss an important event. Workload analysis: By analyzing your tasks, AI can recommend the best times for meetings, focused work, or breaks, helping you maintain a balanced routine. With AI managing your schedule, you can prioritize tasks more effectively, reduce stress, and maintain better control over your time. Maximizing Efficiency with AI AI tools do more than save time—they enhance your overall efficiency by allowing smarter work practices. By automating low-value tasks, you can focus on high-impact activities that drive personal and professional growth. Additionally, AI tools provide actionable insights by analyzing data and generating reports, allowing for faster and more informed decision-making. This combination of automation and intelligence enables you to work smarter, not harder, and achieve your goals with greater ease and effectiveness. Applications in Everyday Life AI agents are versatile and can be seamlessly integrated into both personal and professional contexts, making them valuable tools for a wide range of activities. Here are some examples: Personal Life: Use AI-powered tools to manage household chores, plan meals, track fitness goals, or even organize family schedules, simplifying daily responsibilities. Use AI-powered tools to manage household chores, plan meals, track fitness goals, or even organize family schedules, simplifying daily responsibilities. Professional Life: Use AI for project management, customer service, or financial planning. For instance, an AI chatbot can handle customer inquiries, freeing you to focus on strategic initiatives or creative problem-solving. These applications demonstrate the broad potential of AI to enhance your performance and simplify your life, whether at home or in the workplace. Unlocking the Potential of AI Agents AI agents are transforming productivity by automating repetitive tasks, optimizing workflows, and managing schedules. These tools not only save time but also improve the quality of your work by reducing errors and allowing better decision-making. Whether you aim to streamline your personal life or enhance professional efficiency, AI-driven solutions offer a practical and powerful way to achieve your goals. With the potential to save up to 10 hours a week, integrating AI into your routine can lead to a more productive, balanced, and fulfilling life. Dive deeper into AI productivity tools with other articles and guides we have written below. Source & Image Credit: Shu Omi Filed Under: AI, Guides, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill Gates Shares a Lesson From Warren Buffett He Wished He Learned Sooner (It Can Help You Too)
There's an interesting assumption many people make about productivity. It's the idea that busy equals productive and really busy equals really productive. But, perhaps counterintuitively, that's not always the case. And it's a lesson that even the uber-successful and wealthy Bill Gates learned late in life. In a Bloomberg interview, Gates recalled a day when Buffet showed him his calendar. Gates was shocked at how empty it was, with some days having nothing scheduled at all. It showed Gates that 'business isn't a proxy for seriousness.' Check Out: Read Next: 'I can buy anything I want, basically, but I can't buy time,' Buffett added. The lesson? A stacked calendar doesn't necessarily mean increased productivity. It's a lesson Gates — not exactly a slouch when it comes to accomplishments — took to heart and as recently as last year wrote in a Threads post. Below is a look at Buffett's simple, yet effective approach. You, like most people, have probably experienced a day in which you were crazy busy every second of it, missing lunch, running from meeting to meeting, task to task, only to get to the end of the day feeling like you got nothing accomplished. Or at least nothing important. Your calendar was packed, you checked everything off, you made every meeting — but now you feel like you better get up early tomorrow to get the real work done. To avoid that issue, Gates eventually adopted a system in which he divided his working hours into four buckets, each bucket representing a different focus of his business, according to Each area represented approximately 25% of his time, so if one bucket got too full, he could immediately see it in his calendar and adjust. Discover Next: This is a way to fight off what New York Times best seller and self-discipline strategist Rory Vaden has labeled priority dilution in one of his podcast episodes. This phenomenon is a form of procrastination — a well-disguised one. It takes the form of being constantly distracted by less important, but potentially more urgent, tasks and therefore never getting to the productive stuff that leads to success. So, essentially, you're busy, busy, busy all day long putting out fires and chasing a full calendar, but with no clear, goal-focused plan. It's a terrible plan for success, but a great way to burn out. If buckets aren't your thing, another effective way to avoid priority dilution and ensure your work day is balanced is color coding your calendar. According to Clockwise, when it comes to color psychology, colors are highly effective at conveying information and influencing moods and behaviors. Moods and behavioral influences aside, a color-coded calendar does have one huge benefit: you can immediately see if your day or week is out of balance. That red bleeding all over the week? Might mean that green tasks are being neglected. You can also choose colors that convey added meaning for certain parts of your day or work. According to Dan Silvestre, who is a productivity coach, red commands attention, so you might use this color to label tasks or meetings of the highest urgency or importance. Or those that relate to the most important goals of your business; the ones that must get done. Blue, on the other hand, conveys calm, so you could use it to balance out those high-adrenaline red tasks. One strategy might be to make blue a color for personal time or enjoyable light tasks. Then make sure there are adequate blue slots between the reds. Of course, whether you choose buckets, colors or devise your own system, it's hard not to listen when two of the most successful men in business speak. So it might be time to get out your calendar and schedule some time to free up more time. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025 How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region This article originally appeared on Bill Gates Shares a Lesson From Warren Buffett He Wished He Learned Sooner (It Can Help You Too)
CNA
07-06-2025
- General
- CNA
4 ways to stop stressing about your schedule and reclaim your downtime
Sixty per cent of people surveyed by the Pew Research Center said they sometimes felt too busy to enjoy life. We asked experts for some tips on things we can do to feel more in charge of our time. 1. ABANDON THE IDEA OF BEING ALL CAUGHT UP Your to-do list will never end, said Thomas Curran, the author of The Perfection Trap: Embracing The Power Of Good Enough. So build your tolerance for leaving that list unfinished, he said. 'We end our days obsessing over our unchecked boxes instead of celebrating our wins,' said Amantha Imber, the author of Time Wise: Powerful Habits, More Time, Greater Joy. So Dr Imber recommended completing the sentence 'Today I made progress on … ' at each day's end. Researchers call this practise a ' savouring intervention,' and they say that it can improve confidence. 2. THINK ABOUT YOUR SITUATION'S URGENCY Chris Guillebeau, the author of Time Anxiety: The Illusion Of Urgency And A Better Way To Live, said people can sometimes cause you 'time anxiety' by pulling you into something they consider urgent, creating a 'false deadline.' When this happens, he said, ask yourself: Is this actually urgent? Another person's emergency, Guillebeau said, does not have to become yours. If it's possible, you can ask, 'Is this a high priority, or can I finish the other things I'm working on first?' 3. CONSIDER BRINGING YOUR B GAME Do you need to bake cookies for your book club, or will store-bought do? Can that Zoom meeting be a quick phone call instead, while you take a reviving walk? Be alert for those moments when you are needlessly giving it your all and could give, say, 75 per cent instead, Guillebeau recommended. 4. REDEFINE "VALUABLE" TIME Fight the impulse to view downtime as unproductive, Dr Curran said: 'It isn't wasted at all.' He sets an alarm for himself that goes off every day at 5.30pm. It's a recording of his toddler asking to play with him. 'It reminds me that whatever I'm doing, it can probably wait,' Dr Curran said. Often some of your happiest memories will be events that are 'mundane and ordinary,' he said, so make time for them if you can. By Jancee Dunn © The New York Times Company
