I’ve been wanting to make some adjustments to my schedule for awhile, as my previous setup was just failing on multiple levels. I just wasn’t getting things done the way I need to be. It can be difficult to juggle family, work, play, and maintaining good health. One thing I took away from A New Earth was to be fully present in whatever I am doing and interestingly having a schedule in place that reflects my values helps me do that. An essential part of the new schedule is rising early to accomplish a bunch before the world (or even the household) has really woken up.
There are variations for different days, of course, but here’s the schedule in a nutshell:
- 6:00a: RISE
- 6a-8: Meditate, run/100pushups.com/gym, shower
- 8a-9: Prepare/eat/cleanup family breakfast
- 9a-9:30: Play with little one
- 9:30a-10: Bike to cafe/office
- 10a-1:30p: Compute
- 1:30p-2: Bike home
- 2p-6: Compute
- 6p-7:30: Prepare/eat/cleanup family dinner
- 7:30p-8: Little person bathtime
- 8p-8:30: Little person bedtime
- 8:30p-9: Walk the dog
- 9p-10: Hang out with Mrs.
- 10:00p: FALL
That’s it. That’s my day in a nutshell on the new schedule.
What does your schedule look like? How do you manage the flow of life?
8 comments ↓
Seems like a good schedule from a great father/husband. It reminds me of how great it is to work from home.
Would you be willing to share more information about your meditation practice?
Thanks Steve! Indeed it is wonderful to have a flexible day.
Sure. My meditation practice (makes it sound so official) isn’t much really right now. I just to sit quietly and listen for the birds. If my mind wanders, I bring it back to breath. My sessions so far have been 10 minutes using the meditation timer widget.
With Mr. Benjamin’s recommendations and guidance, I tried a similar schedule awhile back. It actually did a lot to increase my productivity and general sense of well-being. Unfortunately the unexpected surprises of life got in the way (and 20+ years of bad habits), and I got off track before I could really make it stick. Now that things have settled down, I’d love to try again. Best of luck!
Sounds great.
Just caught this post. Highly recommend The Now Habit. I think you’ve done a great example of the author’s “Unschedule” here where you schedule in the “Life” part of the work/life balance rather than the “work” part. Makes you realize we dont have as much time as we think so we should work when working and play when playing. I’m tending towards being most effictive in the wee hours for “pay the bills” work that is important but doesn’t turn me on. That leaves the rest of the day for what I used to call the “side projects” but are really the “mission critical” projects.
Hey David
Yeah, Paul Litvak actually recommended that book to me. I had trouble finishing it, but I get your meaning. I am night owl by my nature too, but given my fitness and family goals, I have decided that I really must rise early to fit things in.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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