168 Hours of Self-Scrutinization!
Hi There,
I’m excited to have just completed Laura Vanderkam’s 2023 Time Tracking Challenge, tracking my time 24 hours daily, for 7 days. This equates to 168 hours of self-scrutinization. Coincidentally, 168 Hours is also the title of the book that introduced me to both Laura and her work. And I’ve been a passionate advocate ever since!
I’ve also written copious blog articles about Laura’s work and refer to her philosophy and wisdom regarding productivity throughout DRIVEN’s self-paced course Intentional Productivity.
Having kept a time log for several years, I eventually took a hiatus. This year, it’s time for me to revisit this practice. So last Monday, armed with a spreadsheet and a stack of sticky notes, I began recording my activities in 15-minute increments.
Here are three shining examples of tracking getting equated to greater productivity and well-being:
1. Intentional Focus: I found myself more disciplined with my focus this week. It was as if big sister was watching. I didn’t want to let my mind wander, or to “catch myself” dawdling between tasks and activities. My transitions, those 15-minute built-in breaks I’ve written about, were used wisely and thoughtfully.
2. The Daily Sweep: During the first day of tracking, I noticed how often I’d peek at certain tempting websites, checking our home utilities usage, bank balances, status of anticipated deliveries, etc. So, I created a list of the daily checks and now do it all in one shot. And what a discovery: It takes less than 5 minutes to put my mind at ease!
3. Recognizing All I Do: I tracked my activities using sticky notes, transferring them to the excel spreadsheet after dark. I gained a broad glimpse of what I do each day. Being aware that many motivated professionals tend to downplay what they accomplish, I now give myself a mental fist pump and a slight bow of thanks each evening in an energetic salute to my efforts.
Now, some of my colleagues, at the mercy of billable hours, became irritated at the prospect of keeping a time log. And I respect this attitude. But upon reflection, for me, this past week has been a valuable investment in time and effort.
How about you? If you’re interested in tracking your time, here’s a link to begin!
Cheers!
-Deborah
Deborah Goldstein
DRIVEN Professionals / Forbes / Linkedin
info@drivenpros.com | LinkedIn
DRIVEN Professionals, 35 Adrienne Lane, Garrison, NY 10524