Comments on: So much to do, so little time (more on Rule #5: Create a back-up slot)

By: The Life-Changing Magic of Planning Your Week – Tidy Upgrade, LLC

The Life-Changing Magic of Planning Your Week – Tidy Upgrade, LLC — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 12:57:45 +0000

[…] buffer time—or “open space” as Laura referred to it—can reduce stress and allow for greater flexibility in your schedule. […]

By: 67 Small actions that make your life instantly better – Bart te Nijenhuis

67 Small actions that make your life instantly better – Bart te Nijenhuis — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 04:58:49 +0000

[…] Create a backup slot in your life. […]

By: Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 13:40:17 +0000

In reply to Lk. @Lk - I'm actually a big fan of this. I like lingering in some of my work, and thinking about things, instead of just plowing through. To do that, though, I need lots of open space in my schedule, and to not feel like I need to race through things to make a 4:00 pick up somewhere.

By: Lk

Lk — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 02:49:08 +0000

I haven’t nailed the back up spot yet, but there is more white space in my week this semester. One benefit (maybe also draw back) is that I get to linger as I do my work, which I’ve missed. Scheduling every hour means I charge through things, which is efficient but not always enjoyable. It might be the same task, but it feels different.

By: Cb

Cb — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 18:46:49 +0000

I tend to add the open space at the beginning of the week this term. And block Thursdays and Fridays for meetings, catch ups, lunches, since I have a weirdly fragmented teaching schedules on those days. I’m getting better at saying no to meetings which will not meaningfully progress research/writing on Mondays and Tuesdays. It works better from an energy perspective as well, I can review student work on Fridays when I’m tired.