Chief Stews wear a lot of hats (and occasionally, a few too many radios). You’re the organiser, the communicator, the stylist, the fixer, the planner, the calm in the storm. And when you’re constantly being pulled in every direction, it’s easy to feel like you’re reacting to the day instead of leading it. What if you could introduce just a few time management small shifts into your day that helped you stay more in control, more present, and less mentally overloaded?
Here are six time habits you can try, tailored specifically for life onboard. No unrealistic “just switch off your phone!” advice. Just practical strategies that make space for clarity and ease in the middle of a hectic schedule.
1. Wake Up a Little Earlier (Just a Little)
You likely already rise early. But if you can manage even 15–20 minutes before the rest of the crew is up, it can give you a gentle head start. Not to cram in extra work, but to set your mindset.
Use the time to:
- Scan over your notes or job lists for the day
- Think through potential team questions or hiccups
- Take a moment for yourself, tea, silence, stretch, journal, anything that feels grounding
It doesn’t have to be a full-blown morning routine with vision boards and breath-work. Just a bit of space to begin the day intentionally, before the questions start flying and the pace picks up.
2. Create Clear Focus Time Management Windows
As Chief Stew, it can feel like you’re constantly in ‘go’ mode. But being available 24/7 doesn’t mean you can’t protect short blocks of focused time.
Try this time management tip: let your team know, kindly and clearly, that you’ll be in the office for the next hour working on admin or guest prep, and that unless it’s urgent, you’ll be back with them after.
That one simple boundary allows you to:
- Concentrate fully on key tasks (without rewriting the same email three times)
- Catch up on guest details or orders without interruption
- Model good time management to your team
You’ll be amazed at how much smoother your day flows when you carve out even a single uninterrupted window.
3. Use the Power Hour Loop: Admin → Hands-On → Repeat
Admin can swallow a whole morning if you let it. Equally, being out on the floor all day leaves no space for logistics or planning. The sweet spot? Rotate.
Start your day with an admin power hour: emails, planning, printouts, guest requests, provisioning. Set a timer if needed. Then get into the interior to check in with the team, lead by example, and have presence. Then loop back.
Switching intentionally between desk time and floor time:
- Keeps you productive and visible
- Reduces overwhelm and fatigue from staying in one mode too long
- Helps you lead both operationally and relationally
This rhythm builds momentum and keeps you grounded in both big-picture planning and daily detail.
4. Prepare for Tomorrow, Today
If you can, carve out 15-30 minutes at the end of each day to prep for the next. That might look like:
- Reviewing and updating your team’s job list
- Confirming any contractors, guest movements, or special requests
- Printing what needs to be printed and flagging key reminders
- Thinking through anything that might cause confusion in the morning and pre-answering it
This time management prep sets you up for a calmer, more confident start. Plus, when you’ve already visualised the day ahead, it’s easier to delegate clearly and avoid last-minute surprises.
Preparation doesn’t just save time, it builds leadership presence.
5. Batch Similar Tasks to Avoid the ‘Ping-Pong’ Effect
Context switching: jumping between unrelated tasks eats up time and energy without you realising it. Instead of flitting from emails to flower arranging to stock takes and back again, try grouping similar tasks.
Here’s how batching might look onboard:
- Block time for all computer-based tasks: provisioning, emails, ordering, reporting
- Then move into planning or physical set-up: table décor, guest welcome touches
- Then team development: check-ins, training, assigning tasks, walkthroughs
Grouping similar work creates flow and reduces decision fatigue. You’ll feel less scattered and more in control even if the day throws curveballs.
6. Take Actual Breaks – With a No-Work-Talk Rule
This one’s tough, but powerful. If you can protect your break times, even short ones, from constant work chatter, you give your brain a chance to reset.
Try to be intentional in the crew mess:
- Treat your 15-minute smoko or 1-hour lunch (when it happens!) as true downtime
- Avoid rehashing the job list or moaning about the guest who wants fresh exotic fruit no one can pronounce then changes their mind
- Let your team decompress too – they’ll follow your lead
Even a short pause without talking shop can help you return with a clearer head, more patience, and better ideas. It’s not about checking out, it’s about recharging to show up better.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve Time That Works With You, Not Against You
Yacht life moves fast. There’s always more to do, and as Chief Stew, you’re at the centre of it all. But implementing small, intentional time habits isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating rhythm and room to breathe.
You’ll feel more prepared. More present. And more like the leader you know you are, not just the person solving every problem before breakfast.
You don’t need more hours in the day. You need better ones. Start with one habit at a time, and build from there.
For more time management structure, check out my Chief Stew Weekly Planner. It’s designed to help you organise your daily tasks and responsibilities, so you can keep everything running smoothly and still have time to breathe.
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