How to Design Productivity into Your Routine
Time is the enemy and the greatest friend. We waste it, use it, and try to manipulate it, but it will always be constant and possibly to our detriment if not well spent. Attempts to capitalize on the time you have might be your pivotal point, but if not done correctly, could also lead to wasted years.
“Lost time is never found again” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Don't allow that. Everyone deserves a life well spent with time on their side. To gain productivity with time a healthy relationship is where it starts. (Yes, this is important) Understanding our relationship patterns with time is crucial.
Three patterns everyone falls into:
Hurrier Warrior ~ Feeling like you either want to be somewhere else or can’t wait till the time comes to be somewhere else. Rushing to reach the destination.
Summer Fling ~ Being immersed in an activity, time is all relative. Just like that, the sun is down.
Graduation Goggles ~ In the moment but observing everything, taking in every second. Either positive or negative. The thought is the same, life is too short not to be present right now.
The three patterns in our relationship with time. Each is inherently normal but to recognize when in each is the key to reorienting the mindset. The problem isn't being in one of the patterns, it's how much time is spent without realizing it.
Intrusive thoughts, “I needed to stop wasting time,” tik, tik, tik. There was a realization that followed recently. Trying to achieve a constant state of productivity, actively seeking it hence activity thinking it is more than inefficient and a time-waster it’s a time tainter.
I found myself in Hurrier Warrior for what felt like three years. I was unbalanced because of trying NOT to miss all the destinations. When a milestone came it was never enjoyable, the next one on the top of the hill, was where my mind always was.
Then, like buyers remorse, headfirst into Graduation Goggles trying to make up for the time not present. The drawback here is often when trying to “soak” up every moment it’s a very mental thing ie in your head. When in a celebration, with friends, family, etc. it’s a rule of thumb to make that time as collective as possible. Stepping outside yourself and into the minds and energies of others for the full experience. Being present in the moment.
Summer Fling is the sweet spot but not always intuitive when a plan is in your mind. When in a state of concentration and focus comes naturally to what’s in front of us it’s more than a feeling, it’s flow. Having flow in what you do and how you live every day is the best and most optimal way to enjoy your time.
I first read the idea of flow in, “Designing Your Life,” by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans. The key takeaway is flow comes when doing things you enjoy. Design your days and build flow into your life.
Conversation with Bill Burnett here
Designing Your Life Amazon Link here
Template to log your activities here
The best part of flow and being present (stage 2) is that there is room for planning and being with your thoughts but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of your present state. Flow is also one of the best tactics to use for creativity in your work. Don’t plan too much ahead plan right now.
Techniques to Creating more Flow:
As discussed in Designing Your Life, the authors advise creating a Good Times Journal. In summary, make note of the different activities you do throughout the day and track if they left you feeling more energized and more engaged. The secret to flow is to have both.
Tip: If you have a daily activity that leaves you with a ‘good’ amount of energy and a ‘good’ amount of engagement see what tweaks you can make to make it more enjoyable.
The activities logged that have flow, need to be capitalized on. Either, try to create more room for those and/or incorporate new things into your day that are similar.
Try things, prototype, keep adjusting, and designing. It’s not about creating a perfect day full of flow, it’s about editing and incorporating more things in your life that create flow around them. By understanding what patterns your in with time daily + incorporating the Good Times Journal practice, productivity designs itself into your routine. Make time your friend by spending it well.
Flow = Present = Healthy Relationship with Time = Healthy Relationship with Yourself = Productivity that Designed Itself.