To give some context on the title, Roti is an Indian flat bread that is cooked and freshly eaten (there are obviously frozen options available). From someone who never stepped into kitchen to cooking to the extent where I am calculating my speed in terms of making rotis in a minute, I would like to share my experience on time management and Productivity.
Over the past month, since moving to the U.S., I have undergone a significant shift in how I manage my time. I’ve always been someone who enjoys staying busy, but back in India, my daily routine had moments of unstructured time—often leading to guilt-ridden hours of endless social media scrolling. In retrospect, I realize a key reason for this: many of my routine tasks, especially household chores, were outsourced. Whether it was having domestic help for cooking, cleaning, or running errands, the convenience allowed me more free time, but paradoxically, that free time wasn't always used productively.
Now, living in the U.S., every little task—from grocery shopping and cooking to cleaning and managing errands—is solely my responsibility. There is no option to delegate these tasks, yet I find myself not only accomplishing everything but still having time left for recreation. This seems counterintuitive at first. Shouldn’t having more to do make me feel more overwhelmed and pressed for time? Instead, it has had the opposite effect—I feel more structured, efficient, and in control of my day than ever before.
This realization fascinates me. When my to-do list was shorter, I often felt that I had all the time in the world, leading to procrastination and distractions. Now, with a packed schedule, I have no choice but to prioritize, plan, and execute efficiently. There is an inherent discipline that emerges when time becomes a limited resource.
What This Experience Taught Me
When you have fewer responsibilities, it's easy to assume you’re busy. But when more tasks enter your schedule, your brain naturally optimizes and prioritizes, leading to greater efficiency.
Previously, I had gaps in my day where I would unconsciously scroll through social media. Now, every minute has a purpose, whether it's for work, cooking, cleaning, or self-care. Even leisure time feels more intentional.
This experience has shown me that our perceived limits are often much lower than our actual potential. Just when I think I’m at my capacity, I realize I can push myself further—and still have balance.
This shift in mindset makes me wonder: How much more can I optimize? What other areas of life can I streamline for better productivity? If I can apply the same principles beyond household chores—to career goals, personal growth, and skill development—there’s no limit to what I can achieve.
I used to measure time in scrolling hours; now, I measure it in rotis per minute—a quirky yet powerful reminder that time is ours to structure and make meaningful.
Comments