How to Buy Back Time and Build an Integrated Life

Start with a Not To Do List to buy back time and realign your focus.

If you’re a small business owner, you know the feeling of your to-do list outrunning your energy—every. single. day. Between running a business and managing life outside of it, the idea of balance can feel more like a dream than a reality.

That’s why I believe in something better than balance: an Integrated Life—where your work and personal life complement each other, not compete.

But to create that, you first have to “buy back” your time.  That doesn’t mean you need a fancier planner, a 4 a.m. wake-up time, or a productivity hack to find more hours in your day, though.

What you do need is clarity.

And one of the most effective tools I recommend for getting started is the Not To Do List.

Why Start with a Not To Do List?

Because this isn’t about squeezing more into your day—it’s about getting clear on what matters. The Not To Do List is a practical, eye-opening way to:

• Discover what’s stealing your time
• Take back control over your schedule
• Create space for the things that make life feel full and aligned

It’s not the ultimate solution, but it’s a vital first step to creating an Integrated Life—where your business doesn’t overtake your family, your peace, or your purpose.

Step 1: Track Where Your Time Is Going

Before you can fix your calendar, you need to understand it.

Spend a few days jotting down how you’re spending your time—in 15 to 30-minute chunks. Be brutally honest. From checking email to meal prep, client work to scrolling Instagram—it all counts.

Take a look at each entry, then ask yourself:

• Does this support my Income?
• Does it fuel my Personal Development?
• Does it support my Family or Future?
• Or… is it just noise – something I do out of habit, expectation, or obligation?

Step 2: Apply the ADE Method (Automate, Delegate, Eliminate)

This framework will help you identify the action you should take on the items you discover in your audit. 

But let’s get super real for a moment…depending on where you’re at in your business—and what your current budget or capacity looks like—not every option will be accessible to you right away. And that’s okay. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.

Eliminate –  A Powerful Starting Point

If you’re early in your business or stretched financially, start here.  This will be your quickest win.

Ask:

• What am I doing out of habit, guilt, or fear of disappointing others?
• What’s cluttering my day that has zero return?

Let go of tasks or commitments that no longer serve you, your goals, or your season of life.  Letting go of even one unnecessary task can be freeing. You don’t need to let go of everything overnight—but you can stop saying yes to every little ask that drains you.

Delegate – Let Others Help

Delegation doesn’t have to mean hiring right away.

It might mean:

• Asking your partner to handle pickups on your heavy client days.
• Trading admin time with a business bestie.
• Letting your teenager fold laundry while you finish a proposal.
• Bringing someone in part-time.

Creating an Integrated Life means recognizing that you don’t have to do it all yourself.  Delegation starts with the willingness to let go, even imperfectly.

Automate – Let Your Systems Work for You

Automation doesn’t have to be expensive or complex.  Simple tools you already use can save you hours.

Start with quick wins:

• Use templated email responses in Gmail or a system like 17hats
• Set up a simple client workflow in 17hats
• Schedule your social content once a week instead of daily posting

Every bit of mental energy you don’t spend on repetitive tasks is energy you can reinvest in things that really matter.  Automation can give you time back without needing another person involved.

What Will You Do With The Time You Buy Back?

So here’s the most important question of all:  What would you do with an extra hour a day?

Would you spend more time with your family? Go for a walk? Finally map out that new offer? That hour isn’t just about productivity—it’s about spending your time with intention. That’s what an Integrated Life is all about: honoring your values across the board, not just when you “have time.”  It’s about creating a business that is a blessing to you, and not a burden.

Are You Ready to Get Started?

Download my Not To Do List Workbook here. It’ll walk you through this entire process so you can identify where your time is going and help you create a strategy that works for your life, business, and bandwidth.

It’s the beginning of a new kind of balance—not one that splits you in half, but one that brings everything together with intention.

You don’t have to fix it all this week. But you can reclaim one hour. One task. One choice.

And from there everything gets easier. 😊

If you feel like you need some one on one help to get started, please book a free Discovery Call with me here.  It’s a great opportunity for us to chat about your situation and get more clarity around the best next steps for you.

Want to Go Deeper? Read Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

Dan’s framework is powerful because it will help you understand the real cost of time—and how buying it back isn’t just smart, it’s strategic.

One of his standout teachings is to build your business around your life—not the other way around.  This may take some time and effort to accomplish, but it’s the clear path to building a business that is a blessing and not a burden, which is the foundation of everything I teach.

You might also like…

• The Integrated Life: Finding Time to Live Your Dream Life
• Tick Tock…Are You Letting Time Pass You By?
• Small Business Success: Crafting Business Processes that Work

If you’re interested in learning more about how 17hats can help you in your business, you can start with a 7 day free trial, which you will find at www.17hats.com. Just click on Start Your 7-Day Trial. Once the trial is over, or you’re ready to purchase, you’ll want to use my referral code, debmitzel, at checkout to get 50% off your first year of membership. 😊

Or, if you are ready to purchase right away without doing the trial, you can use my referral link to sign up and get the discount: https://referrals.17hats.com/card/debmitzel

Deb Mitzel is Your 17hats Guide—an experienced Small Business Operations Consultant and Coach, as well as a 17hats Implementation Specialist. With a passion for empowering small business owners, Deb specializes in helping clients reclaim their time so they can focus on building businesses that support their personal and professional dreams. Deb believes in creating an Integrated Life—a harmony where your business and personal life work together to serve you best. She knows that with the right systems, strategies, and a little guidance, you can build a business that is a blessing, not a burden. If you’re ready to simplify your processes and maximize your impact with 17hats or other tailored strategies, Deb offers a Free Discovery Call to explore how she can help. Click below to schedule your call and take the first step toward turning your vision into reality.

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