“Tempus fugit” is a phrase originating from a poem by the Roman poet Virgil, referring to the passage of time and how quickly life (ultimately) passes by. Its core meaning is that time moves forward whether we want it to or not, often without us realizing it, and therefore, we need to focus on living as better (or fully) as we can.

On the other hand, and especially in our daily lives, we have all experienced the feeling that time doesn’t just pass but slips through our fingers, and that there aren’t enough days to complete everything we need to get done. Wasting time can lead to stress, frustration, and prevent us from achieving our goals.

What do we mean when we talk about wasting time?

• Pointless activities: These include endless and mindless scrolling or binge-watching videos on social media.

• Procrastination: When we keep postponing important, difficult, or tasks we don’t enjoy for later.

• Difficulty in organization: A lack of a solid schedule or a priority list can lead to confusion and time loss.

• Distractions: Continuous external stimuli, mainly from mobile notifications, messages, emails, and phone calls, can divert our attention and cause us to lose valuable time.

How to tackle time-wasting:

1. Identify your “time thieves”: Observe where most of your time is going and try to spot activities that are distracting you.

2. Create a schedule: Make a realistic daily or weekly plan that includes your goals and tasks that need to be completed first before moving on to others.

3. Set your priorities: Rank your tasks based on their importance and urgency.

4. Use time management techniques: There are many techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks work time into small intervals with short breaks.

5. Create a distraction-free workspace: Find a quiet place where you can work without interruptions.

6. Learn to say “no”: You don’t need to take on every obligation. Learn to say no when you feel you don’t have the time.

7. Reward yourself: When you complete your goals, reward yourself with something you enjoy.

Wasting time is a complex issue made up of both practical factors and psychological conditions.

If you want to learn more about specific time management techniques and the deeper causes that may lead to wasting time, you only need to visit the website www.homohappiens.gr and register for the next available seminar.