So You Want to Make a Whole Bunch of T-Shirts
I do. Help.
Boards of Canada - Reach For The Dead
Last week I committed to using a calendar app.
I chose Google Calendar because it works on everything I own.
The first thing I did was choose an hour block on Sunday and schedule a weekly “Time Management Optimization Session” for myself. Other than my inability to cook, I realized that this is one of the areas in my life that needs drastic attention and I want to continue working on it every week. So armed with Calendar and my data from Rescue Time (you REALLY should sign up for this), I can make adjustments every week to correct problem areas and, you know, kick more ass.
Seriously, what was I fucking thinking just keeping a loose schedule of my life floating around in my head? I often double booked, would be stressed out about remembering things I needed to do, etc.
So far this week, I feel amazing. It has been the calmest, most productive and least stressful week that I can remember. I’m smiling more. My mood just feels 10X better.
Not only did I include meetings and events, I even scheduled follow up emails to people, phone calls, everything. Every single thing that I needed to do this week, I found an open slot on my schedule and put it in.
I feel good.
None of this is new to any normal human being, I know. Sorry that you are following a total fuck up. Or former fuck up.
Besides actually scheduling a little session to review some of my time management systems (and yes, there is a lot more going on than just the calendar thing.I just didn’t want to bore you too badly.), I also did something else that some may find interesting… especially freelancers.
I made Wednesday afternoon my call and meetings time. When a client wanted to meet or talk, I always suggested Wednesday afternoon and all but one was like “sure, that’s great”.
On a typical old Bob day, I would be getting calls and emails or skype chats throughout the day, often keeping me from diving deep into my programming work. By moving ALL of these communications to only Weds, I was able to put in huge blocks of uninterrupted time which led to getting WAY MORE SHIT DONE.
And yes, I scheduled each and every one of these calls and emails on the calendar. Just slot in a 20 or 30 minute time for each one.
Last night I was telling my friend Brad about this while waiting for a train, and he was like “Oh, I should start using a calendar app.” I assume everyone did. He should. You should! That’s why I wrote this.
Leave questions/feedback/your thoughts/tips.
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Jaron Lanier wants to build a new middle class on micropayments
“What I’m proposing is actually a freelance economy, but it’s a freelance economy where freelancing earns you not just income but also wealth. That’s an important distinction to make.”
Great stuff. Can’t wait to read his book.
Negotiating 101: Steve Jobs Style
Talk about “no compromise”.
Reilly: Jason Collins' debt to Glenn Burke
Rick Reilly recounts the story of baseball’s Glenn Burke, who painfully paved the way for Jason Collins as a gay professional athlete more than 30 years ago.
