Before you open another blank document, spreadsheet, or design, I want you to stop for a second and ask yourself:
Have I already created something similar?
Because one of the easiest ways to save time has absolutely nothing to do with learning another complicated piece of technology.
It’s simply learning to reuse the work you’ve already done.
You don’t get extra credit for starting with a blank page. 😏
📺 Watch the video below to see what I mean.
Make a Copy and Change What Needs Changing
Let’s say you need to create a Word document.
You’ve already made a similar document before. It has your formatting, headings, fonts, spacing, and basic structure exactly the way you want them.
Why rebuild all of that?
Make a copy.
Rename it.
Change the information that’s different.
Done.
Not only can that save time, it can also help you create more consistency because you’re not reinventing the format every time.
Do the Same Thing With Your Spreadsheets
Excel is another great example.
Maybe you’ve created a workbook with the categories, formatting, formulas, or charts you need.
If you’re going to need that same basic structure again, don’t rebuild it from an empty spreadsheet.
Duplicate the existing workbook or worksheet and update the information.
You’ve already done the hard work.
Use it.
Your Canva Designs Don’t Need to Start Blank Either
The same principle applies to Canva.
If you have a design or layout that already works, duplicate it.
Swap out the photo.
Change the headline.
Update the information.
Apply whatever changes you need for the new piece of content.
You’re not being lazy.
You’re creating a system.
And systems are how we stop spending valuable time repeatedly doing work we’ve already done.
Before You Create, Look Back
This is the habit I really want you to develop.
Whenever you’re about to create something, ask:
“Have I done something like this before?”
If the answer is yes, go find it.
You may not be able to reuse the entire thing, but perhaps you’ve already created 80% of what you need.
Start there.
Your previous work can become the starting point for your next project.
Repetition Is a Clue
And here’s where this becomes bigger than simply copying a file.
If you notice yourself creating the same kind of thing repeatedly, pay attention.
That’s a clue.
Maybe that document should become a template.
Maybe that spreadsheet needs a master copy.
Maybe that Canva design should become one of your reusable brand designs.
Maybe there’s an entire process you could standardize.
Whenever you’re repeatedly reinventing the same wheel, there’s probably an opportunity to build a simple system.
Duplicate. Edit. Done.
I’m a big believer that technology should help us create more time—not give us more things to do.
Sometimes that means using automation or AI.
But sometimes it means something much simpler:
Stop doing work you’ve already done.
Before you start from scratch:
Look at what you already have.
Duplicate it.
Change what needs changing.
Move on.
Duplicate. Edit. Done.
And give yourself that time back. 💙