The other day, I was with a friend who came to visit, and we decided to take a trip to the beach. As we were heading out, I opted for a more scenic route to the station, which, I must admit, made us just barely on time.
My friend didn’t seem too bothered, but it definitely got me thinking about my time management. Usually, I embrace a relaxed approach to life. Being self-employed and not having any dependents gives me this freedom, but sometimes, I do feel the weight of scheduling pressure.
Quitting my job five years ago was really about escaping that hectic morning rush. I always tried to meet at 8:45 AM, but somehow, I’d end up strolling in at 8:47 AM, feeling like I’d already stumbled at the start of my day.
Working from home has its perks; I can enjoy little routines. Nevertheless, having a friend over sort of made me too comfortable with time, I suppose.
This issue isn’t just about training or costly travel mishaps. I often underestimate how long tasks will take, which leads to unnecessary stress and frantic last-minute sprints.
There’s an entire concept around this called “event time,” referring to how some people, like me, rely on an internal sense of timing rather than a clock. Others, whom I’ll call “clock timers,” tend to structure their lives around fixed schedules, like eating lunch at the same hour daily. For those of us who rely on event time, the idea of an “end” feels a bit more flexible. How many tasks can I fit in?
Each day can feel like sand slipping through my fingers; it’s hard to grasp how fast time really goes. Sometimes, it rolls into one continuous stretch, which, honestly, makes those moments of stress even more pronounced because they’re often self-inflicted.
So, how can one manage time better?
According to Ian Taylor in his book, *Time Hack: The Psychology of Time and How You Use It*, your relationship with time plays a crucial role in how you experience daily life. When you invest enough time into something, you might find yourself in a flow state—like when you wander down a scenic route or lose track of time while researching. Yet, if your time expenditures don’t align with your values, that can definitely disrupt your sense of happiness.
Taylor, who studies motivation at Loughborough University, points out that it’s not merely about overworking or risking burnout. Feeling “time-poor” often reflects more about your environment than about how much work you have on your plate. If you’re surrounded by others constantly rushing, you might end up feeling that pressure too.
However, he cautions against obsessively managing every second of your day. Fixating too much on the clock can actually backfire. He argues that perceiving time as entirely fluid puts unnecessary stress on ourselves.
It’s natural to ebb and flow between high-pressure periods and downtime, but perhaps aiming for a smoother, more frictionless schedule is a better approach than rigidly balancing work and leisure.
Research suggests that people who report having little free time often feel happier if they are just moving from one activity to the next without feeling rushed. For me, that means shifting my focus slightly from “event time” to “clock time.” Acknowledging deadlines and ensuring I allocate enough time to meet them might help avoid those chaotic final pushes.
To gauge how I spend my time better, I took notes for three days in 15-minute intervals using a spreadsheet.
In doing so, I discovered that I spend much more time in my inbox than I thought. Some of those emails? Purely busywork designed to give the illusion of productivity.
Another eye-opener was noticing a notable dip in my productivity during the afternoon. Between 2 PM and 5 PM, my focus really dwindles, making it hard to even track what I’m doing. A look at my spreadsheet shows big chunks of time labeled “writing,” while it conveniently skips over moments spent mindlessly scrolling through social media.
There’s definitely a mismatch here. Rather than allowing easy tasks like emails or errands to consume my time, tackling mentally demanding projects first might be far more effective. I usually manage to squeeze in exercise early in the morning, but delaying it until after lunch might actually boost my productivity.
Typically, the energy we have to focus tends to decrease as the day progresses. So, even though mornings are crucial for getting things done, they can quickly slip away if you allow lighter tasks to take precedence. Taylor believes that the best approach is not to over-schedule but to find a harmonious balance that taps into motivation rather than relying solely on willpower.
Your identity is a significant, often underestimated factor in how you allocate your time. For instance, a person who identifies as a “bookworm” doesn’t need extra motivation to carve out time to read—it simply happens. So, viewing yourself as a runner or writer can be a powerful first step toward making those activities habitual.
When time feels slow or too fast, it could reflect a disconnect between your self-identity and your daily experiences.
What resonates with me:
Taylor emphasizes the importance of considering your personality and values as a guide through life, despite it requiring plenty of effort and reflection. Doing so can simplify many challenges.
If one aims to give themselves ample time for travel or meeting deadlines, channeling those values can be essential. It helps combat the unpleasant stress associated with feeling rushed and the effect it can have on sleep and relationships.
You might even start to think of yourself as someone who values punctuality. But what truly counts is minimizing “dead time,” or periods that feel wasted, according to Taylor.
Those who arrive at airports early aren’t necessarily better planners than I am. If they spend that time fretting, Taylor points out that any sense of security from arriving early might be overshadowed by anxiety.
On a personal note, I have to admit, I find a weird thrill in barely making a flight.
