Thanks for asking that question, Becky! I feel like that happens to me, too. Mostly my weekends. I almost always over-plan, thinking I can get three days worth of stuff done in only two. That’s my fault. But then, other people’s agendas get in my way, as well, and that just makes it worse. I love helping out my family, but then the stuff I really wanted to get done – doesn’t!

I usually take a bigger chunk of time in the morning to open tabs to work on or read later, and then go to those tabs when my regular workflow has been interrupted by boredom or exhaustion. That lets me recalibrate or set myself up for the next chunk of free time.

If I have nothing to read or do when my brain needs a break, I might take a few minutes to jot down things to do in my planner or I can just choose to take half an hour to do some other household stuff to clear my mind as well. Seems like “chunking” tasks or even distractions is the most effective for me, and I’m still getting those mental breathers that are so helpful.

@Becky – this is an excellent question, and I will work on a blog post addressing it!

I have maybe 2.5 hours per weekday that are not dedicated to work/getting to work/eating/sleeping. I look at that time and make plans for it, and then when the time actually comes, I find I’m re-directed into other things. Let’s walk the dog, let’s watch this show, the bathroom hasn’t been cleaned, there’s a piece of clothing we need clean for tomorrow, etc. It wouldn’t be an issue if it was 1 or 2 days a week that I didn’t get any “me” time, but entire weeks can go by that it was all used up by others.

How do I be bold and take this time for myself?

Thanks!

@Byrd – could you knit at work? Mostly kidding, though I’ve seen some research finding that doodling during meetings helps people pay attention. I imagine knitting is somewhat similar…

This is my problem exactly… I use a model that runs in 3-10 minute intervals and feel like I’m wasting that time. When I’m at home, I knit. But there’s no comparable activity at work. If I go do other “serious” work I actually lose productivity.

@Alison – I like the concept of margin. Maybe I’ll start using that instead of time confetti. But on a side note, to me one of the upsides of getting hired as the “voice talent” for my What the Most Successful People Do… audio books is that everything sounded like I wanted it to sound. I’m not sure who will wind up narrating my next book but I think there are upsides to doing it as the author, even if it is time consuming.

@Natasha – daydreaming is totally productive! We need ideas to come from somewhere, and often it’s not forcing them that gets them to bubble up!