Discussion Forum > Closing out the day – evening routine?
Hi,
I am in similar strigts as you are Ubi. I have a morning routine I call FTF (First things first) and an evening routine called LTL (last things last)
My LTL list is basically my FTF list in reverse, I make sure first that all critical things are done, then I look at what is critical tomorrow, then I process email. then papers, then go home.
But like you I usally go home first and do the above in the morning as part of my FTF. Now that I have been timeboxing my FTF along with two other tasks (see the SMEMA thread) I have been getting through FTF in a less stressful way, so maybe it makes LTL less important.
Or maybe I wil get to it today!
I am in similar strigts as you are Ubi. I have a morning routine I call FTF (First things first) and an evening routine called LTL (last things last)
My LTL list is basically my FTF list in reverse, I make sure first that all critical things are done, then I look at what is critical tomorrow, then I process email. then papers, then go home.
But like you I usally go home first and do the above in the morning as part of my FTF. Now that I have been timeboxing my FTF along with two other tasks (see the SMEMA thread) I have been getting through FTF in a less stressful way, so maybe it makes LTL less important.
Or maybe I wil get to it today!
August 20, 2014 at 20:47 |
vegheadjones
vegheadjones
I tend to stop using my system an hour or two before bedtime to have some relaxed, unstructured time. I do have an evening routine, but it does not consist of system-maintenance stuff like that. It is a combination of religious things (prayer, self-examination, reading) and the typical "brush teeth" and "set out clothes for tomorrow" sort of thing.
August 20, 2014 at 23:38 |
Austin
Austin
I prefer a mid-morning review.
First thing in the morning, I know what needs to be done. Usually it's routine work, sometimes it's something urgent. A review just distracts me.
(And if I'm already distracted, a mid-morning review helps me refocus before too much time has passed.)
After lunch I'm usually in the groove, although I might do a quick review if I think I'm sliding.
Reviewing at night revs me up. Either I'm disappointed at all I didn't do, or excited about all I'll accomplish tomorrow (which keeps me up, so I accomplish nothing tomorrow).
My evening routine is pretty short. I usually prepare for the next day during the day.
First thing in the morning, I know what needs to be done. Usually it's routine work, sometimes it's something urgent. A review just distracts me.
(And if I'm already distracted, a mid-morning review helps me refocus before too much time has passed.)
After lunch I'm usually in the groove, although I might do a quick review if I think I'm sliding.
Reviewing at night revs me up. Either I'm disappointed at all I didn't do, or excited about all I'll accomplish tomorrow (which keeps me up, so I accomplish nothing tomorrow).
My evening routine is pretty short. I usually prepare for the next day during the day.
August 22, 2014 at 20:54 |
Cricket
Cricket
“Allow not sleep to close your wearied eyes, until you have reckoned up each daytime deed:
‘Where did I go wrong?
What did I do?
And what duty’s left undone?’
From first to last review your acts and then eprove yourself for wretched [or cowardly] acts, but rejoice in those done well.”
Epictetus, Discourses 3.10.2-3
What can you learn from the day and, where appropriate, how can you do better in the future? In doing this, as Seneca put it, you are also rehearsing the role of a friend and wise counsellor, toward yourself.
‘Where did I go wrong?
What did I do?
And what duty’s left undone?’
From first to last review your acts and then eprove yourself for wretched [or cowardly] acts, but rejoice in those done well.”
Epictetus, Discourses 3.10.2-3
What can you learn from the day and, where appropriate, how can you do better in the future? In doing this, as Seneca put it, you are also rehearsing the role of a friend and wise counsellor, toward yourself.
September 4, 2014 at 21:42 |
michael
michael
Morning Prayer
by Ogden Nash
Now another day is breaking,
Sleep was sweet and so is waking.
Dear Lord, I promised you last night
Never again to sulk or fight.
Such vows are easier to keep
When a child is sound asleep.
Today, O Lord, for your dear sake,
I'll try to keep them when awake.
by Ogden Nash
Now another day is breaking,
Sleep was sweet and so is waking.
Dear Lord, I promised you last night
Never again to sulk or fight.
Such vows are easier to keep
When a child is sound asleep.
Today, O Lord, for your dear sake,
I'll try to keep them when awake.
September 5, 2014 at 14:31 |
Cricket
Cricket
"Let the whole day pass in front of your eyes and in your memory; think of everything that has happened and has given you, in some way, a disharmonious feeling or reaction. And no matter how wrong the other person may have been, the moment you have been negatively touched by it, there must be something wrong within you. Write down in a few words the occasions, your reactions and associations. If you follow this practice through for some time to come, and not just once or twice, but faithfully, you will see after a while a clear pattern emerging."
http://www.pathworklectures.com/pathwork/atlas-of-wisdom-pathwork/pathwork/exercise-daily-review
http://www.pathworklectures.com/pathwork/atlas-of-wisdom-pathwork/pathwork/exercise-daily-review
September 5, 2014 at 19:27 |
michael
michael
michael:
<< If you follow this practice through for some time to come, and not just once or twice, but faithfully, you will see after a while a clear pattern emerging. >>
Yes, I expect Seneca saw this emerging in a big way when he was forced to commit suicide for plotting against the emperor.
<< If you follow this practice through for some time to come, and not just once or twice, but faithfully, you will see after a while a clear pattern emerging. >>
Yes, I expect Seneca saw this emerging in a big way when he was forced to commit suicide for plotting against the emperor.
September 5, 2014 at 22:39 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Since we are evidently sharing self-examination methods, I am trying to make it a nightly before-bed habit to ask and answer these questions from the Puritan John Fletcher:
"1. Did I awake spiritual, and was I watchful in keeping my mind from wandering this morning when I was rising?
2. Have I this day got nearer to God in times of prayer, or have I given way to a lazy, idle spirit?
3. Has my faith been weakened by unwatchfulness, or quickened by diligence this day?
4. Have I this day walked by faith and eyed God in all things?
5. Have I denied myself in all unkind words and thoughts? Have I delighted in seeing others preferred before me?
6. Have I made the most of my precious time, as far as I had light, strength and opportunity?
7. Have I kept the issues of my heart in the means of grace, so as to profit by them?
8. What have I done this day for the souls and bodies of God’s dear saints?
9. Have I laid out anything to please myself when I might have saved the money for the cause of God?
10. Have I governed well my tongue this day, remembering that in a multitude of words there wanteth not sin?
11. In how many instances have I denied myself this day?
12. Do my life and conversation adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ?"
As you can see, a number of the questions have a bearing on time management and productivity, though of course they would be meaningless in isolation from the rest of the questions.
"1. Did I awake spiritual, and was I watchful in keeping my mind from wandering this morning when I was rising?
2. Have I this day got nearer to God in times of prayer, or have I given way to a lazy, idle spirit?
3. Has my faith been weakened by unwatchfulness, or quickened by diligence this day?
4. Have I this day walked by faith and eyed God in all things?
5. Have I denied myself in all unkind words and thoughts? Have I delighted in seeing others preferred before me?
6. Have I made the most of my precious time, as far as I had light, strength and opportunity?
7. Have I kept the issues of my heart in the means of grace, so as to profit by them?
8. What have I done this day for the souls and bodies of God’s dear saints?
9. Have I laid out anything to please myself when I might have saved the money for the cause of God?
10. Have I governed well my tongue this day, remembering that in a multitude of words there wanteth not sin?
11. In how many instances have I denied myself this day?
12. Do my life and conversation adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ?"
As you can see, a number of the questions have a bearing on time management and productivity, though of course they would be meaningless in isolation from the rest of the questions.
September 6, 2014 at 0:16 |
Austin
Austin
Austin: It's a good reminder you make when you say "meaningless in isolation". In my own thinking I separate busyness, from productive creatiion, from "the grand goal" of what type of man I become. I suppose they could all go into an AF list, but at present I regard them separately.
September 6, 2014 at 15:23 |
michael
michael
michael:
I've come under fire on this forum before for suggesting that we are all equally busy. What I mean by that is that we all fill 24 hours a day with *something*. If we all wrote down exactly what we'd done today, the total for each one of us would add up to 24 hours.
Some people would have longer lists of items that they had done, but that would only be because the individual items were shorter in duration than those of the person who had fewer items on their list.
The only question therefore is not how much in terms of quantity got done - that's the same for everyone - but what the *quality* of what got done was.
If you find that your AF list produces rubbish, then that's because you've put rubbish on your AF list. If you want your AF list to produce "productive creation", then put productive creation type items on your AF list.
In answer to Austin's request for more information about the systems in my new book, I can say that the time management system I'm proposing in it (only a tiny fraction of the book) highlights this question of quality to a much greater extent.
I've come under fire on this forum before for suggesting that we are all equally busy. What I mean by that is that we all fill 24 hours a day with *something*. If we all wrote down exactly what we'd done today, the total for each one of us would add up to 24 hours.
Some people would have longer lists of items that they had done, but that would only be because the individual items were shorter in duration than those of the person who had fewer items on their list.
The only question therefore is not how much in terms of quantity got done - that's the same for everyone - but what the *quality* of what got done was.
If you find that your AF list produces rubbish, then that's because you've put rubbish on your AF list. If you want your AF list to produce "productive creation", then put productive creation type items on your AF list.
In answer to Austin's request for more information about the systems in my new book, I can say that the time management system I'm proposing in it (only a tiny fraction of the book) highlights this question of quality to a much greater extent.
September 6, 2014 at 15:36 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Mark: It's intriguing that good use of time for some people seems to be quantity of tasks ticked off. We have to wean ourselves off the idea that this is accomplishment, or productive creation. Perhaps this is just a modern sense of rush, constant stimulation, and the anxieties that come with it. At least one neuroscientist ( http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/d8216222-2170-11e4-a958-00144feabdc0.html ) argues that digital technologies are changing our thinking and behaviour by limiting time for assimilation and reflection.
Reminders about quality of time use cannot be overdone. Two hours fishing or golfing, sitting outside a cafe, an art gallery visit. These are gratifying and beneficial, even if not energetic, dynamic and thrusting. I look forward to seeing how you mitigate the impression of time management as haste and urgency.
Reminders about quality of time use cannot be overdone. Two hours fishing or golfing, sitting outside a cafe, an art gallery visit. These are gratifying and beneficial, even if not energetic, dynamic and thrusting. I look forward to seeing how you mitigate the impression of time management as haste and urgency.
September 7, 2014 at 10:35 |
michael
michael
michael:
<< At least one neuroscientist argues that digital technologies are changing our thinking and behaviour by limiting time for assimilation and reflection. >>
The reviewer seemed to think that some of the neuroscientist's more wide-ranging conclusions were unwarranted by the evidence.
<< Two hours fishing or golfing, sitting outside a cafe, an art gallery visit. >>
One of the advantages of being as old as I am is that I can remember what life was like before the digital revolution - before even television. And no we didn't spend our time assimilating and reflecting. We spent acres of time being profoundly bored. Whatever the disadvantages of the modern age are - and there are plenty - I think life is much more enjoyable for the average person nowadays.
In the late 1950s when I was in my early teens fishing was very expensive, there were far less golf courses than there are now, cafes simply didn't have seats outside - that was unheard of - and art galleries were gloomy places still firmly entrenched in the Victorian era with most of the pictures uncleaned for centuries.
<< At least one neuroscientist argues that digital technologies are changing our thinking and behaviour by limiting time for assimilation and reflection. >>
The reviewer seemed to think that some of the neuroscientist's more wide-ranging conclusions were unwarranted by the evidence.
<< Two hours fishing or golfing, sitting outside a cafe, an art gallery visit. >>
One of the advantages of being as old as I am is that I can remember what life was like before the digital revolution - before even television. And no we didn't spend our time assimilating and reflecting. We spent acres of time being profoundly bored. Whatever the disadvantages of the modern age are - and there are plenty - I think life is much more enjoyable for the average person nowadays.
In the late 1950s when I was in my early teens fishing was very expensive, there were far less golf courses than there are now, cafes simply didn't have seats outside - that was unheard of - and art galleries were gloomy places still firmly entrenched in the Victorian era with most of the pictures uncleaned for centuries.
September 7, 2014 at 11:52 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Hi Michael,
You stated:
"from "the grand goal" of what type of man I become. I suppose they could all go into an AF list, but at present I regard them separately."
Your character and passions are who you are. They are what's writing your to do list.
In reference to leisure time and passions and loved ones, since I'm always challenged to surmount the boredom associated with meeting my responsibilities, I write a WILL DO list of the most important responsibilities to get out of the way so that my mind and body is free to embark on my discretionary time unfettered with nagging. When I do lapse, the quality of my own time is greatly hampered by the nagging/worry. I don't worry too much about systems and rules. I choose a WILL DO list that is intended to satisfy my need to feel responsible and timely (because that's my character. The nagging is simply a reminder that I've gone astray.)
This way, I'm aligned with my character traits, my responsibilities and passions....even if my passion at the time is lying down on the sofa and listening to John Coltrane. I can totally immerse my body and mind into the reverie because I'm overall current with the responsibilities. End of.
You stated:
"from "the grand goal" of what type of man I become. I suppose they could all go into an AF list, but at present I regard them separately."
Your character and passions are who you are. They are what's writing your to do list.
In reference to leisure time and passions and loved ones, since I'm always challenged to surmount the boredom associated with meeting my responsibilities, I write a WILL DO list of the most important responsibilities to get out of the way so that my mind and body is free to embark on my discretionary time unfettered with nagging. When I do lapse, the quality of my own time is greatly hampered by the nagging/worry. I don't worry too much about systems and rules. I choose a WILL DO list that is intended to satisfy my need to feel responsible and timely (because that's my character. The nagging is simply a reminder that I've gone astray.)
This way, I'm aligned with my character traits, my responsibilities and passions....even if my passion at the time is lying down on the sofa and listening to John Coltrane. I can totally immerse my body and mind into the reverie because I'm overall current with the responsibilities. End of.
September 7, 2014 at 14:04 |
learning as I go
learning as I go
Sometime during the day the decision becomes clear wether dinner is going to be a social event with a lot of feasting, or if it is just eating something to not fall of the ladder. Most of the time it is not an orgy, so how about those evenings?
- I close the list by doing power training, stretching my body from sitting around all day etc
- I change clothings according to evening program. (taking shower can be part of this etc etc)
After this divider, the meal or not even the meal, sometimes I skip eating.
Like others have mentioned now is the time for some religious practices and also reading. I want to emphasize the latter more, because "media consumption" is the big topic for that part of the day.
I found I live better when I get my input of news, information, entertainment and learnings in the evening and then can fall asleep over that stuff. The next morning I feel refreshed but also stimulated slightly. Whereas if I would check email and media in the morning it just scatters my brain and the work type "MIT" will have to pay the tab and I can't have that.
tltr;
-list
-physical exercise
-change gear
-meal
-media consumption and spiritual exercise
-sleep
- I close the list by doing power training, stretching my body from sitting around all day etc
- I change clothings according to evening program. (taking shower can be part of this etc etc)
After this divider, the meal or not even the meal, sometimes I skip eating.
Like others have mentioned now is the time for some religious practices and also reading. I want to emphasize the latter more, because "media consumption" is the big topic for that part of the day.
I found I live better when I get my input of news, information, entertainment and learnings in the evening and then can fall asleep over that stuff. The next morning I feel refreshed but also stimulated slightly. Whereas if I would check email and media in the morning it just scatters my brain and the work type "MIT" will have to pay the tab and I can't have that.
tltr;
-list
-physical exercise
-change gear
-meal
-media consumption and spiritual exercise
-sleep
September 12, 2014 at 14:56 |
Christopher
Christopher
So I'm looking for suggestions to motivate this habit.
I'd also like to know how y'all close out your days. Do you have an evening routine? Do you take a break from your system or list at a certain hour?
Please comment.