More than a month ago, I had the realization that given all of my commitments, I’m not going to find anymore time, so what I need to do is find some way to make more out of the time I do have.
I started looking into tips on time management, which I quite arrogantly thought I didn’t need. First, I watched the Last Lecturer Randy Pausch’s video on time management; he gave this lecture after he knew his cancer was terminal, so time management took on a new meaning. His tips are all very practical, but the underlying message is that you get through the stuff of life (that which can’t be avoided, at least), so that you can do the things you really want to do. Time is all you have, so you shouldn’t waste it.
I also started listening to Dr. Tim Pychyl’s iProcrastinate podcasts again. He’s a research psychologist who studies procrastination, and when I first started listening to his show a couple years ago, I finally realized how emotional my procrastination is. Without dealing with the underlying feelings that push me to avoid things or put them off, no amount of time management tips could ever help me.
Generally speaking, I am not easily overwhelmed. I can handle a lot. But, you would not believe some of the stupid crap I stress over. Like, make me nearly sick to my stomach kind of stress. Last week I wasn’t stressed about the 20 page paper I had due, but I was dying over a two sentence email to a professor. I can’t even explain myself, because it’s mostly irrational.
Part of making time for the things I want to do will mean dealing with whatever is going on there. It’s like two parts psychological and one part having good habits in place. So, I’m journaling a lot and trying to face my irrational fears and putting things into lists. It’s funny to me that I’m getting tips on how to live my life from two PhDs; how fitting.
I’m also trying to think of time management the same way I’ve learned to think about my budget. I want to stop budgeting time just for the things I have to do and start creating space for the things I want to do. Otherwise, it too easily slips away. That means budgeting time for work, for school, for writing, and for sitting on my couch watching Forensic Files.
I’m am an on-top-of-it and organized sort of person, but the very words “time management” threaten to send even me running for the hills. The whole thing sounds so structured and, well, not fun. But, what I’m realizing is that not managing my time leaves me frustrated and feeling like there’s never a chance to work on all the things I really want to work on–the things that bring me happiness. What’s worse, even when I do make time for those things, I feel guilty because I should be working on something else. Maybe it’s impossible, but I’m trying to figure out a way to have it all.
So, I had all of these thoughts weeks ago and haven’t done much with them, because I’ve been too busy, which in the midst of this conversation sounds like the worst excuse ever. I want this next semester to be different and I want to develop some habits that will help me get through a life that’s only getting busier. I’m not making rigid goals or grand declarations; I’m just trying to make a more focused effort to spend my time meaningfully. I’m thinking about how I want to live my life and realizing that I can’t put off the living any longer.
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I was REALLY good at managing my time at the beginning of last semester but by the end I was exhausted and time management fell to the wayside! I am going to try harder this semester to keep it up the whole time because the less time management I did the more stressed I was!
I like to think I’m good at time management, but lately I’m definitely not. Some days I get into this uber productive mood and I plow through my work and e-mails and other days I let allllll the work just pile up and then I feel completely overwhelmed. I’m glad you posted the link to the podcast though, because I’d like to check it out. My planner and to-do list used to help with this problem, but lately I’ve been ignoring my to-do list because it stressed me out. Pretty counter productive I know.
I’m big on lists. I love to check off the stuff I do. It may sound OCD, but I even list the “fun” stuff on there too. This seems to work for me.
Huh. That’s interesting, I never thought about how procrastination is linked with underlying emotions.
I’ve always been a time management kind of person without realizing it. I’ve always tried to make the time for things I want to do…I think you’d crazy without that time!!
P.S. I added photos of the lady gaga concert, in case you wanna check them out :)
I find it difficult to fit in all the things I want to do, so I can’t imagine what it must be like for you with your busy life. I think time management helps though. If you account for everything in advance, you’re less likely to find yourself sitting around doing nothing.
I’m pretty good with time management, although last semester took me for a roller coaster ride! I know I’m going to have to get really good at managing my time, especially scheduling in time to exercise and work on my projects for next semester. It’s going to be extremely crazy!
Love this line: “I’m thinking about how I want to live my life and realizing that I can’t put off the living any longer.” I am 100% with you on this. I want to deal with my issues and also learn time management/priority management. Thanks for the inspiration.
It’s so interesting hearing about this! I’m the opposite, I over schedule my time, over committing myself at every turn, taking way too much on and between my daybook, google calendar & iPhone I’m so hooked up and scheduled in (even when there’s not that much to do) that I can’t enjoy life. I’ve scheduled myself out of life.
And at the same thing, pretty much all the feelings you write about and this sentence “I’m thinking about how I want to live my life and realizing that I can’t put off the living any longer.” apply perfectly to me too. So interesting!
I’m excited to see how you cope with this, my main technique right now is (as everything else has failed) to make a friendship bracelet & every time I see it on my wrist I have to think “Slow Down”. Day one is going okay so far! lol
Like you, I have similar issues and concerns, and often blame a lot of it on grad school. I’m still a big procrastinator, and sometimes feel like I really just don’t want to do the work needed to get where I want. I guess it’s a love/hate thing I have… I love where my education is leading to, but sometimes the path to get there isn’t ideal.
That said, I’m persisting, and my hard work has nearly paid off.
One of my good friends from undergrad really had a great take on things: if you say you’re going to do something, do it; if you know you’ll just end up procrastinating, don’t tell yourself you should be working because otherwise you’ve lost productive time and also time to be spent enjoying yourself. It’s something I now try to live by.
That is a really good point. I think we often forget how to manage our time for stuff we want to do, as opposed to the stuff we need to do! With my divorce, has come more time alone than I know what to do with, so figuring out how to spend that time (and make it QUALITY time) is something I struggle with every day.