I Asked ChatGPT How to Save 10 Hours a Week—Here’s the 10-Point Efficiency Plan

Here's a realistic, USA-centric guide revealing 10 proven strategies to reclaim at least 10 hours each week through smarter habits, structure, and prioritization.

Alyana Aguja
November 6, 2025
4 min read

I Asked ChatGPT How to Save 10 Hours a Week—Here’s the 10-Point Efficiency Plan — Ocean Ng from Unsplash

Time is the most valuable modern currency, yet most Americans lose it through distraction and disorganization. This 10-point efficiency plan provides practical ways to automate routines, reduce digital noise, and work with sharper focus. From batching tasks to mastering shortcuts, it shows that saving 10 hours a week isn’t fantasy — it’s a matter of deliberate design.

1. 1. Batch Similar Tasks

Instead of constantly switching between emails, calls, and reports, schedule time blocks for each. This method, called “task batching,” is used by many productivity experts like Cal Newport to eliminate decision fatigue. For example, dedicate one hour in the morning solely to emails and another in the afternoon to meetings. By grouping related tasks, your focus sharpens and your time multiplies.

2. 2. Automate Routine Chores

Apps like Mint for budgeting, Instacart for grocery delivery, and automatic bill payments through your bank can save you hours each week. Americans spend nearly six hours a week on household management, much of it repetitive. By setting up automation once, you free yourself from remembering due dates or grocery runs. Let technology handle what doesn’t need your brainpower.

3. 3. Meal Prep Like a Pro

Meal prepping has become a national time-saver, especially among busy parents and professionals. Spending two hours on Sunday to cook proteins, chop vegetables, and portion meals can save over an hour a day. Many Americans now use Instant Pots or air fryers to prepare meals quickly in batches. Planning your food is planning your week.

4. 4. Use the Two-Minute Rule

Popularized by productivity consultant David Allen, this rule says: if a task takes less than two minutes, do it now. Americans waste hours delaying small chores like replying to quick emails or putting laundry away. Executing these micro-tasks instantly prevents buildup and mental clutter. Small wins accumulate into massive time savings.

5. 5. Cut Digital Clutter

On average, Americans check their phones 144 times a day, often for non-essential updates. Turning off non-urgent notifications and decluttering your home screen can cut screen time dramatically. It will lead to more focus, less stress, and a newfound sense of control. Your phone should serve you, not the other way around.

6. 6. Delegate and Outsource

Many Americans resist outsourcing, thinking it’s a luxury, but services like TaskRabbit or local cleaning providers are accessible and affordable. Delegating low-value tasks like cleaning, yard work, or bookkeeping saves both time and mental energy. Delegation lets you focus on what truly matters, whether it’s your career or family. Let others handle the rest.

7. 7. Schedule “Focus Hours”

Companies like Microsoft and Google encourage employees to block uninterrupted work time on their calendars. These “focus hours” ensure deep work and eliminate distractions. Protecting your attention is the ultimate form of efficiency.

8. 8. Master Keyboard Shortcuts

It sounds simple, but keyboard shortcuts save surprising amounts of time. Professionals who use Excel or Photoshop daily report saving up to 30 minutes a day through shortcuts alone. American universities even include digital literacy sessions teaching productivity keystrokes. Learning to use your tools efficiently adds up to hours saved every week.

9. 9. Limit Meetings Ruthlessly

A 2023 survey found that U.S. workers spend nearly 18 hours a week in meetings, half of which could be replaced by emails. By cutting or shortening unnecessary meetings, teams free up enormous time. Some American companies, like Shopify, now enforce “meeting-free Wednesdays” to increase output. Fewer meetings mean more meaningful work.

10. 10. Build a Morning Power Routine

Waking up with a plan sets the tone for the rest of the day. Many high performers—from executives in New York to fitness coaches in Austin—follow structured routines including journaling, stretching, and reviewing priorities. Even 20 minutes of focused morning activity can eliminate wasted decision time later. Consistency in the morning compounds into control over your day.