The Time-Saving Hack That Completely Changed My Business (and My Sanity)
Hi, friend!
Welcome to the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust podcast. I’m Lindsay Dollinger—high school Spanish teacher, dog mom, world traveler, and direct seller who helps women build their direct sales businesses the right way so they can earn the money they deserve and live the life of their dreams.
Now that we got THAT out of the way… let’s dive in.
Happy Friday, friend! I wanted to hop in quickly and share something that has been a massive game changer for my productivity, my peace, and honestly… my entire LIFE this week.
Whether you’re juggling a full-time job, kids, a direct sales business, coaching, or some combo of everything—this might be exactly what you need.
And yes… this “time-saving hack” is ACTUALLY time-saving. I won’t steal your entire afternoon. 😉
The Moment I Realized I Needed to Change EVERYTHING
Between:
✨ teaching full time
✨ building my direct sales business
✨ interviewing for the podcast
✨ running this amazing community
✨ staying consistent with 75 Ignite
✨ and trying to have a life…
…I realized I was stretched way too thin.
I LOVE learning, but I was getting sucked into trainings.
I LOVE my Netflix nights, but suddenly they were happening on random Tuesdays instead of the weekends.
I LOVE my business, but I was letting it run ME instead of me running IT.
And because I’ve been feeling that “pushed-to-the-max” energy from a lot of you too, I knew I needed something that would ground me, center me, and simplify everything.
So here are the two things that made the BIGGEST difference—not just in my business, but in my stress level, my health, and my results.
✨ Time-Saving Hack #1: Hour-by-Hour Time Blocking
I already have my Direct Sales Done Right Planner + Tracker System (so many of you use it too—yay!).
But I wasn’t using it for what it was created for:
➡️ structure
➡️ intention
➡️ accountability
When I don’t time block, guess what?
I scroll.
I wander.
I “multi-task.”
I lose an hour to… who even knows.
But the weeks I DO time block?
Holy transformation.
Here’s how I started using time-blocking again:
- I write out my day hour-by-hour
- I include everything:
- workouts
- meal prep and actual eating
- recording/interviews
- invites
- follow-ups
- downtime
- bedtime routine
- workouts
- I stick to it
- I honor the plan like it’s an appointment
It sounds simple, but the structure creates FREEDOM.
And honestly?
When I write down that I’m doing my workout at 6:30, I DO IT.
When I write down that I’m doing my invites at 8:00, they GET DONE.
Your brain loves clarity.
Your business thrives with it.
✨ Time-Saving Hack #2: Turn. Off. Notifications.
THIS ONE…
THIS ONE, FRIEND…
I cannot even express how much this changed my life.
My coach said one thing that hit me hard:
➡️ “Get out of Messenger.”
And I felt that in my soul.
I was CONSTANTLY in Messenger:
- checking
- replying
- refreshing
- worrying
- reading group chats
- answering questions
- reacting out of urgency instead of intention
And it was stressing me the heck out.
So I did the unthinkable.
I turned OFF all Messenger notifications.
Like OFF off.
Not just muted.
Not “deliver quietly.”
Not “do not disturb.”
📌 Completely, totally, 100% OFF.
And guess what I learned?
➡️ NOTHING is an emergency.
➡️ People can wait a few hours.
➡️ My team survives.
➡️ My customers survive.
➡️ My brain feels clear for the first time in ages.
When I check messages now:
- once in the morning (AFTER my routine)
- on my lunch break
- after school
- once in the evening
That’s it.
The end.
My phone has had ZERO red dots all week.
ZERO distractions.
ZERO “quick checks.”
And because of that?
My evenings are peaceful.
My brain slows down.
I’m actually present.
I’m sleeping better.
I’m working out consistently.
I even READ IN BED last night—first time in forever.
And the best part?
➡️ My business hasn’t suffered.
➡️ Actually, it’s gotten BETTER.
Why?
Because I’m intentional—not reactive.
A Few Extra Tips That Helped Too
📱 Use Screen Time Limits
I set mine from 9pm–5am.
Apps go gray.
No notifications.
No mindless scrolling.
And I don’t override the timer.
(Okay fine… I did once. But I’m human.)
📝 Write down your goals AND your action steps
There’s actual research that people are way more likely to achieve their goals when they write them down AND schedule when they’re doing them.
Your planner = your roadmap.
💦 Drink your water, move your body, and take care of YOU
Your energy is EVERYTHING.
Your business grows when YOU grow.
If You Needed This Message Today… Take It.
If you’re overwhelmed…
If you feel glued to your phone…
If you feel like your business is running you…
➡️ turn off your notifications
➡️ reclaim your schedule
➡️ take back your brain
➡️ create space to breathe
➡️ let your business be FUN again
Your energy is precious.
Your boundaries matter.
Your peace matters.
YOU matter.
And this tiny shift?
It might just change your life like it changed mine.
Let me know below—
Have YOU tried turning off your notifications?
Or do you have another time-saving hack I (and everyone else!) need to hear?
Here’s to more peace, more productivity, and more joy in your business.
Have a fabulous weekend, friend! 💛✨
