Want an extra hour in your day? Try expert practices to free up your time

Most people feel like they are constantly racing against the clock, but executive coach Neal Schore argues that we are often the ones wasting our own time. In his new book, "The 25th Hour," Schore suggests that the secret to productivity isn't a better calendar, but better emotional management.

Schore explains that we lose massive amounts of time to what he calls the "swirl"—the cycle of second-guessing, worrying, and complaining that follows a stressful event. By changing how we react to colleagues and setbacks, we can effectively add an extra hour to our day.

Conquering the Worst-Case Scenario

When anxiety kicks in, Schore recommends a reality check. We often manufacture catastrophic narratives, like fearing a minor email mistake will lead to being fired. He suggests calculating the actual probability of these outcomes, which is usually near zero.

By pausing to realize the low odds of a disaster, we stop the mental loop that keeps us awake at night or distracted during work. This simple mental pause prevents hours of unnecessary fretting and circular conversations with others.

The Power of Intent and Empathy

Misinterpreted texts and emails are major time-wasters. Schore advises asking yourself what the other person's intent was before reacting defensively. Clarifying intentions through a quick call can prevent days of tension and dozens of angry follow-up messages.

Surprisingly, Schore also suggests accepting blame for things that aren't your fault. By looking for how you could have contributed to a problem, you build empathy. This approach stops the defensive back-and-forth that drains energy and time in professional and personal relationships.

Schedule Your Pity Party

When life gets truly difficult, Schore recommends a timed "pity party." Instead of letting a bad mood ruin a whole week, give yourself a strict limit—perhaps two to four hours—to feel lousy. Often, once you set a limit, you realize the situation isn't worth that much of your life.

Finally, being direct is a major time-saver. Avoiding "dancing around" the truth and giving clear yes or no answers eliminates the need for clarifying meetings. Schore insists that by mastering these internal habits, anyone can "unequivocally" find that extra hour every single day.