When to work, when not to work?
How much time should I spend working when self employed, or not? That is the question. And something I mull over on a regular basis.
With homage to Bill Watterson.
Time, one learns, is not proportional to results. Remember the pithy ”work smart, not hard”? But we are creatures of routine and swayed by traditional working patterns. Which often means we look at productive work as 9am - 5.30pm. And woe betide anyone who deviates from this model, this way of life. We have seen it all through our lives; our parents, our first job, our career.
I have learnt (not easily and over time) that you do not necessarily have to work an 8 hour day to achieve results. (This does not go against a fact of life that we all have to bear in mind, namely that “graft” is at the ultimate core of results.)
I now try to look at what needs doing as against a fixed start or finish time, otherwise I discovered my task(s) expand/contract to meet the time I have. I am absolutely sure that most people know this “rule”. You may argue that you look at tasks anyway, or first of all, then time. I am sure you probably do.
What I suggest is you give the following a try. This can apply to those who are employees and work fixed times. I write this in light of so many people now working from home. But appreciate what I say below is not as easy for workers who for example may have Zoom or Teams meetings.
Try not to think of your working hours.
Instead just think of the tasks ahead and categorise according to your own personal system, or simply by urgent and non-urgent, with urgent needing to be completed by today.
Start work when you feel comfortable. For example, I might be on the computer from 7.30am one morning, or earlier, or later. Don’t get hung up on set hours. Routine can be a killer. Think of the phrase: “Groundhog Day”.
Don’t be afraid to take a break(s), and that could even be a swim, run, cycle ride for example. It is important for the mind to rest, be distracted. What is more important? Your mental and physical health, or work?
It is also not the end of the world if work is not completed by the end of the day. Deadlines can be shifted, and where they cannot try not to panic. It is only work.
What you will find is you learn to focus on tasks and not time, thus becoming more efficient; time thus does not chase, stress, or stifle you.
What you are doing is shifting to a task/project/work orientated approach with an open mind as to flexibility as to time. You end up putting in the “correct” amount of time for a task - not underdelivering or overdelivering. You know when a task is complete and avoid what I used to do with Time and try and make it 100% complete (worse for me suffering from OCD.) Fact is Baby, no one gives a crap. If 60% is fine, then that’s good enough for you and the world.
Make sure you have that all important closure at the end of the day. What do I mean by closure at the end of the day? This is important. Set a time you stop work and stick to it, no matter what. I suggest 5.30pm/6pm and not later. Close the door on work if you can, try not to use the Smart phone. You need vital time in which to let the brain rest, do other stuff, prepare for sleep, and vitally spend time with loved ones.