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Time Management: Time Shift
Do you have a schedule? Do you tend to do specific things at the same time each day?
Give some thought to whether you're doing the right things at the right times.
I'm not suggesting doing more, or making a list, or getting your priorities in order. I'm suggesting that you might be a bit like I am in the sense of always performing the same tasks at the same times. Maybe a little change is a good idea.
Biorhythms. There's no doubt in my mind that we are not at our peak of productivity or energy all day every day. For whatever reason, there are some times of the day when we have more energy, or are more creative, or are more willing to do unpleasant tasks. At other times of the day, we might be more inclined toward slowing down, being restful, letting our minds drift, or staying away from anything that looks like work.
Daily patterns can be discovered. You can simply keep a journal for a week. Make a note every hour or so that records how you feel, how much energy you have, how creative you feel, or if you're in a sour mood. At the end of the week you might find that there is a pattern. The important thing is that you are looking for your very own pattern, not somebody else's.
Weekly patterns also exist. If you keep a journal for several weeks you might find that certain days of the week are better suited for you to be doing some thing creative and other days are better suited for routine or repetitive tasks. Again, your own pattern is what is important.
If you look at a whole year, you will no doubt find patterns that follow the seasons, the phases of the moon, the weather, the changes that take place at your workplace, the academic calendar, and so on. Your pattern will not fit everyone else's. That's nice. It's yours.
Once you see a bit of a pattern, then you can work on shifting things around. If there is a specific task you do once a week (let's say paying bills, or grocery shopping), then do this:
- Check your own personal biorhythms, and find the best time during the week for doing this task.
- Make a decision to perform this task at the ideal time for you.
- Keep this going for few weeks, and then decide whether this shift was right for you.
Ross Runkel, Post Office Box 1031, Salem, Oregon
97308-1031.
Phone 503-399-8028. Fax 503-566-8844. email Ross@LawMemo.Com
