next steps in time tracking

For those of you who chose to track your time, here are the next steps in the experiment:
Now that you’ve tracked your time (as best you could) what did you learn from it?
Was there more time spent on some things than you thought? (Social media, email checking, mindless “TV”-watching, etc.)
Were you able to see what parts of the day were your strongest?
Your weakest?
Any notable feelings come up? Overwhelm? Pressure to produce? Boredom? Excitement? What would you want to change?

It is my wish that this experiment offers a new way for you to think about time. I wish that you will know the calm that structure can provide.

Gay Hendricks wrote about “A New Time Structure for Creative People”:

Problem: The more successful you get, the less time you have for creative innovations. You spend more and more time getting further and further behind.
Solution: Commit to a radical new time structure, one which places highest priority on creative time.
Days are divided into Alpha, Beta and Gamma days.

Alpha: Open, unstructured, no phone calls, reading or faxes(emails these days) directly related to business. No expectations of focus or productivity.
Beta: Intensive focus on getting things done directly related to business. Hold self to high standard of focus and productivity.
Gamma: Transition days. Travel, errands, as much business as possible. Don't hold self to high standard of focus and productivity.

We are responsible for defining productivity for ourselves.

For me, it was critical I overcame the fear that open, unstructured time = fritter and waste. Once I embraced the Alpha day and let go of my worry about “appearing idle” I experienced intense inspiration and creativity. My goals became clearer because I took a beat. Realistically, an Alpha morning is more feasible than an entire day right now, so, I’ll take it.

Email and project management are methodical and will move projects forward, so Beta days deliver a different form of productivity. Deep work is also Beta time: writing, coaching, learning… acting on the clear goals that come from Alpha time.

Gamma days are when I tie up loose ends, spend unstructured time with my son, and have in-person meetings that involve driving around. My expectation is that, while still getting shit done, I am prepared for detours and delays.
How can this work for you? Play with this New Time Structure in the coming weeks and let me know how it goes!