10 Time Management Tips to Supercharge Your Productivity, According to Ali Abdaal
Master Your Time with Practical Strategies from a Productivity Expert
Over the past decade, Ali Abdaal has immersed himself in the study of productivity and time management, reading widely and testing countless strategies. From this vast body of knowledge, he distilled ten powerful tips that he still applies consistently in his life to manage time effectively and boost productivity. Here’s a detailed look at these practical tips and how you can adopt them to get the most out of your day.
1) You Own All of Your Time
A transformative realisation Ali shares is that we own all of our time. This means that at any moment, you’re choosing how to spend your time—whether consciously or unconsciously. It’s easy to say, “I don’t have time,” but Ali reminds us that often it’s about priority, not availability. For example, if you skip the gym, it’s a choice, not a lack of time. Embracing this mindset gives you full responsibility and power over your schedule and how you allocate your hours.
2) Hell Yeah, or No
Inspired by Derek Sivers’ book Hell Yeah or No: What’s Worth Doing, this principle encourages you to say “yes” only when you feel enthusiastic—a “hell yes.” Anything less than that should be a “no.” Early in life, opportunities might be scarce, so saying “yes” more often makes sense, but as opportunities multiply, being selective protects your time and energy. Saying no is a vital skill for effective time management and maintaining focus on what truly matters.
3) Pick Your Daily Highlight
Ali adopts a strategy from Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky: choose one task per day as your “daily highlight.” This is the one activity you must accomplish. When Ali sets this highlight, he always completes it, ending the day satisfied. Without it, his to-do list becomes overwhelming, and he risks paralysis by analysis. Your daily highlight can be urgent, rewarding, or simply fun, but it serves as a compass for your day’s productivity.
4) Use a To-Do List
Our minds excel at generating ideas, not holding them. Ali advocates writing down your tasks to prevent mental overload and missed commitments. Whether it’s a physical list (he favours Ugmonk’s Analog wooden box and notecards) or a digital app like Roam Research, having a clear, visible to-do list helps you track progress and maintain focus. Crossing off completed tasks offers a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
5) Block Time on Your Calendar
Whenever you have a priority task—especially your daily highlight—schedule dedicated time for it on your calendar. Ali finds this particularly effective for ensuring high-priority activities happen, even if the rest of the day is unpredictable. By “blocking” time, you commit to focused work and reduce the chance of procrastination or interruptions. This simple discipline can accumulate into remarkable progress over time.
6) Set Artificial Deadlines
Ali reminds us of Parkinson’s Law: work expands to fill the time available. Without deadlines, tasks tend to drag on indefinitely. By setting artificial but firm deadlines—such as completing a YouTube video by the weekend—you create urgency and focus. Even self-imposed time limits can boost efficiency dramatically, helping you complete projects that might otherwise linger unfinished.
7) Schedule Protected Time
Especially when working for yourself, it’s easy to fill your calendar with calls and meetings. Ali found mornings became overrun, stifling deep work. By reserving “protected time” free of meetings or interruptions, he regained the freedom to think, create, and plan. This intentional, sacred time slot boosts creativity and productivity. Finding your own protected time—whether morning, afternoon, or evening—can be a game changer.
8) Delegate
Many resist delegation, thinking it’s too costly or complicated. Ali challenges this by valuing his time in dollar terms—if a task can be outsourced for less than his hourly rate, it’s worth delegating. For example, hiring a cleaner frees up his time for higher-value activities. Even early-stage entrepreneurs can delegate repetitive or low-impact tasks via freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Delegation maximises your productivity by freeing you to focus on what only you can do.
9) Automate Your Scheduling
Scheduling calls and meetings often wastes hours on back-and-forth emails. Ali recommends apps like Calendly, which let others see your availability and book slots directly. Although it may feel awkward at first, this tool saves immense time and hassle, even in personal life. Ali credits Calendly with helping him connect more with friends and colleagues than years of manual scheduling ever did.
10) Choose to Be Satisfied
At the end of the day, it’s easy to focus on what you didn’t get done and feel dissatisfied. Ali encourages a mindset shift: choose to feel satisfied with what you did accomplish. Beating yourself up over unmet goals only drains motivation and productivity. Celebrating progress—even if imperfect—fosters a positive feedback loop that helps sustain your energy and focus for the next day.
Biblical Reflection: Stewardship and Contentment
Ali’s final tip on choosing satisfaction aligns closely with biblical teachings on contentment and stewardship. Philippians 4:11-13 reminds us that true contentment comes not from circumstances but from reliance on God’s strength. Moreover, Ephesians 5:15-16 calls believers to “be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” Managing time well is an act of wise stewardship, honouring the gifts and opportunities God has given.
Final Thoughts
Ali Abdaal’s ten time management tips offer a blend of practical tools and mindset shifts that anyone can adopt. From recognising the ownership of your time, embracing the power of saying no, to learning how to delegate and automate, these strategies help you reclaim control over your day and your productivity. Coupled with a mindset of contentment and wise stewardship, they provide a holistic approach to working smarter and living well.
Start small by choosing your daily highlight or blocking time on your calendar—little changes compounded over time can lead to extraordinary results.