The most important time-management habit (do this every day)
Do you ever find yourself sitting down at your computer but not knowing where to start?
If so, it's very easy to end up on autopilot, checking email and so on, letting your attention follow whatever pops up. Once you're in that loop, it can be quite difficult to get out again.
Ideally you should never sit down at your computer without having a clear idea of what you're going to do, and you shouldn't wait until you arrive at your desk to decide what to focus on.
You could take 10 minutes at the start of the day to sit with pen and paper and work out what you're going to do, but it's better if you do this the day before.
So at the end of each day, take 10-15 minutes to plan the next day. Make note of anything you have to do. Check if you have any appointments or any crucial tasks to remember to do.
And then decide what your main priorities are. Your to-do list will probably be too long to deal with all at once, so the key is to prioritise and keep it simple. What’s the main thing you’re going to focus on?
Finally, prepare everything you need for tomorrow, including laying out your clothes and packing your bag. I also check the weather forecast so I know what to prepare for (especially important as I cycle to work!).
This habit works because it takes the pressure off your short-term memory and decision-making processes first thing in the morning. You don’t need to rush around looking for things, and you at least start the day with a clear sense of purpose.
When I do this consistently, everything runs more smoothly. But of course I let the habit slip sometimes. So when I find things getting out of control, this is always the first habit I go back to.
Just a quick note on this before I finish… once you’ve set your priorities, stick with them. You may hit some problems and want to switch to working on something else in order to stay busy or productive, but if you do that every time you hit a block then you’ll never solve anything. Research is more about problem solving than productivity, so stick with it and give yourself the chance to solve problems when they arise.
So try this and let me know how it works for you...
See also
How to stay focused on your PhD work
Why is it so hard to stick to my PhD plan?
