Americans today are busier than ever, and it seems to be getting worse. More demands, new technology, layoffs, competition, day-to-day operations and family obligations combine to create the kind of pressure that can make it hard to breathe.

If you start to feel overwhelmed, you must learn to be more effective in your use of time. Instead of trying to go faster, maximize the time you have so you’re more productive. It is possible, and the benefit is that as you gain productivity, you actually work less. These strategies will help you achieve more in less time:

Make new time rules

Financial advisors often tell people to set “money rules,” such as “Save 10 percent of every paycheck.” Money rules help you be decisive and stay true to your financial goals. For efficiency and quality of life, you can apply the same concept to your time by setting new rules, such as never open emails before planning the day, or always eat dinner at home.

To set up your own time rules, use this simple formula:

• Notice what’s not working about the way you spend your time.
• Write down what would work — the way you wish you could spend your time.
• Make a rule that makes your time work well for you.

Here’s an example:

• It’s not working for me to have people walking into my office all day.
• I would prefer to have at least two consecutive hours a day with the door closed.
• Time rule: I close my door for two hours a day.

Time rules should be concrete and explicit, making it easier to hold yourself accountable. Once you set a rule, communicate it so you can accommodate the people in your life. They can only respect your boundaries if they’re clear. Said another way, they can only follow the rules if you set them.

Power down

Power down means turn off the technology. Yes, turn off — even though today’s technology can help us maximize our time. We can use it to transform the way we work. It can buy us time, save us time, leverage time and organize our time. However, if you’re not careful, technology can also use up all of your time. Just because you can be available 24/7 doesn’t mean you should be. Just because you can send a text message at the same time you’re setting up at a construction site doesn’t mean you should do it.

The trouble is not with the technology. The abuse of technology is the issue. To combat the downsides to technology, a CBS news report offered this advice: “Give the brain time to relax with family, exercise, eat well and ignore those emails.” In other words, take control of your technology so you can get the important things done and not get distracted all day long.

Remember, this is not about ignoring people or shirking responsibility. It’s about helping you focus so you can be more productive during your working hours. Think about the expectations you place on yourself and employees, and then create appropriate guidelines.

Take a virtual vacation

Research has shown your brain needs time to rest and recover. You’ll work much more productively after you’ve taken a break. Just as your muscles need to recover from hard workouts, your brain needs time to recover from hard work. And while it would be wonderful to take a trip to Tahiti every few months, few people can do that. However, you can take a short virtual vacation as often as you like. Just close your eyes, breathe deeply and fill your mind with restful images, thoughts or music. Walking, running, biking and swimming are also well suited to resting the mind, but you can get away from stress with any kind of sport.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be exercise. Some quiet time on the couch can bring all the rest you need if you’re able to detach from the pressure. However you relieve stress, be sure it engages your mind, either by helping you escape into a relaxed state or getting you so involved in something else that you forget about work for awhile.

How does this increase productivity? It gives your mind the space and rest it needs to function at its best. As a result, you gain a clearer mind with clearer thoughts, which leads to more productive work.

Reclaim your time

Ultimately, gaining productivity by maximizing your time is not about what you should do; it’s about what you choose to do. Do you want to work more productively? Do you want to have more time to yourself and find ways to be rested and renewed? Then these strategies can help. So take control of your time and watch your productivity soar. And remember, the goal is not just to make the best use of your time; it’s to use time to get the most out of your work and your life.