Forbes [unpaywalled]: “Many people feel like they’re experiencing “time poverty,” which is when it feels like there’s a lack of time to fulfill responsibilities, pursue interests or engage in activities that contribute to your well-being. Heavy workloads, long commutes and other factors can lead to this feeling of not having enough time in the day to accomplish the things on your to-do list. As Forbes contributor Mark Travers recently wrote, time poverty also encapsulates a subjective sense of being overwhelmed due to constantly feeling rushed or pressured. Even if there is objectively enough time available to a person, multiple obligations competing for their attention can become draining and make them feel a lack of control over their own time. Time poverty is also a factor in the workplace, when our busy jobs make it feel like we don’t have the space in the day to develop a new skill, attend a seminar, or start tackling that personal passion project. A 2024 study proposes a positive psychological model of time use that describes a number of ways to use time mindfully and fight the effects of time poverty:

1. Align actions with core values: Begin by identifying the principles or beliefs that are most important to you in your career, clarify what you want to achieve in the short-term and long-term, and look for opportunities to realign your schedule to these goals by eliminating or delegating non-essential tasks.
2. Create a balanced life: Establish clear boundaries between different areas of your life to prevent one from encroaching on the others excessively. This might involve setting limits on work hours, scheduling dedicated family time and carving out personal time for self-care and relaxation—no matter what.
3. Unlearn procrastination: Procrastination often stems from underlying factors such as a fear of failure, perfectionism or feeling overwhelmed by tasks. By recognizing these triggers and addressing them, you can start to effectively organize, initiate and execute important goals..”