Hi, I’m Jacob Kain, the Assistant City Manager for Development Services with the City of Midland and a member of the Wellbeing Coalition. I want to share a life hack that’s been a game-changer for me: Life Hack #91, One Thing at a Time.
At both work and home, I’ve always felt there’s too much to do and not enough time to do it. That’s why I started being more deliberate about how I manage my time, especially for tasks that need deeper focus. I use time blocking—setting aside specific chunks of time on my calendar for projects, recurring tasks, and even breaks. It’s not just about getting work done but also about making time to rest and recharge. Taking 15 minutes to step outside for fresh air or scheduling a proper lunch break helps me stay more focused and productive when I dive back into work.
Before I started time blocking, I’d get to the end of the day feeling completely drained, with a mountain of unfinished tasks still waiting. I wasn’t even taking care of basic needs like eating lunch or stepping outside. At first, time blocking felt like it would take even more time away from my day, but I quickly realized it was actually helping me create time for what really matters. Now, I’m getting more done, feeling less stressed, and even finding better ways to communicate my availability to others.
If you want to give this life hack a try, I’d suggest starting with something you’ve been struggling to make time for. Maybe it’s a brain break to get outside or a task that’s been lingering on your to-do list. Block out a small window of time for it, give it a shot, and see how it feels.
