Hi ho! Hi ho! It's off to work I go!
As you know, time management has been a constant problem for me. I’ve tried all sorts of things, and nothing has really worked very well.
Till now!
Yes, I think I’ve found a tool that keeps me focused on my work, so that every day is fairly productive. That tool is … (drum roll please!) … a log book!
Once again, paper and pen triumphs over the advances of technology.
Getting ready to log my hours
Now, remember when I was commuting an hour each way to work. Thank God, that job was only seasonal. Now I’m at home, and making a go as a freelance writer. So my schedule is entirely my own.
In the past, I’ve tried scheduling some activity or other for a three hour stretch, or even an eight hour stretch at a time. I figured it would be more “professional” to look like I’m working a full day. But it’s not more efficient. It gives me way too much latitude to A) get overwhelmed, and slack off; or B) pretend I still have plenty of time to get stuff done, and slack off; or C) spin my wheels wondering where to start on some project or other, and give up, then slack off.
You see the pattern.
So, now, I’ve scheduled my day in one-hour blocks. And I’m keeping a daily log of how I spend my day, hour by hour.
This is satisfying in a way that a mere to-do list never has been for me. A to-do list just wasn’t concrete enough, I guess. Here, I write down: “4:45 – Write a post on Virtue Quest.” Then I sit down at the computer and start typing. And when I’m done, I’ll write down how many words went into this post, and move on to the next item on my schedule.
Why it works – I think
There’s something about writing down what I’m doing right as I start and right when I finish that gives me a feeling of accomplishment.
And even better is the feeling at the end of the day, when I realize that I’ve actually made real progress on all my projects that day.
I don’t know if it would work for everybody, but for the past week or so it’s been working for me. It’s just a great relief to know that I’m not incurably lazy or incompetent. Heck, if I can get stuff done every day, then anybody can!
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