As far back as I remember, I have been obsessed with the idea of productivity.
Each fresher time management trick or hack is the answer to putting my life in order.
However, alas, I have found out not every tricks brings the serenity that it guarantees.
In truth, some very popular techniques that are likely to increase my anxiety and aggravation.
If you have ever attempted any of these techniques only to feel worse when life did not comply, you are not the only one.
Now allow me to present six common time management techniques that caused me stress.
And how I have taken to managing my time while remaining calm.
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1. The ABC Method
I attempted utilizing the ABC method since 4 months before.
In start it appeared to be an effective approach for organizing my chaotic schedule.
The concept is rather straightforward: Categorize the task as
- A (the one that requires immediate attention)
- B (the one that is important but can wait)
- C (the one that is not of great concern presently)
But this is where the issue arises — practically everything on my to-do list seemed pressing.
I would look at my list, for I was always moving things around different sections, even rethinking whether I was making the right approach in the first place.
Everything was hierarchized to the extent. It foreclosed any chances of effective action.
And internal pressure to cover any unexpected crisis made me feel like I was not succeeding anyway.
What I Do Now:
Tasks are organized, not by letters. But actually in terms of the energy actions required to complete them.
I pose a question:
Should I be attentive and concentrate for this specific task or can I do it even when I am worn out?
This allows for more fluidity in my day.
And most important, I do not get caught up in order of importance overthinking.
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2. Timeboxing
Initially, timeboxing appeared to be the ideal thing.
I reserved time for anything and everything — my task, workout sessions and even for my meals and even rest.
I admired the demeanor of my day. But the problem is this. Life has no regard for my plans.
One unforeseen phone call or even just a meeting running beyond its scheduled time, and just like that, my entire strategy was thrown off course.
I would waste more effort trying to adjust my plans than actually getting anything done.
It felt like I was always trying to grasp at something that was an impossible version of my day.
What I Do Now:
Time still gets blocked off.
Although I make sure to have contingency measures in place in case something goes wrong.
I don’t use hard endpoints, just soft envelopes — like “morning: writing” or “afternoon: admin tasks.”
This way, I get to organize myself without feeling overwhelmed.
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3. Parkinson’s Law:
The Parkinson’s Law suggests
“work expands to fill the time available.”
Therefore, I thought that if I imposed tight deadlines for everything.
I would finish more in a shorter span of time. And, for some time, this worked.
But, I soon got tired of working on things in a hurry.
I always found myself in a rush to finish tasks.
This stripped all the fun from my work.
Even those tasks that I used to accomplish with ease started becoming a time bound exercise.
What I do Now:
I still enforce deadlines, but only where it is appropriate.
Whenever it comes to creative works or deep works, I grant myself the extra time.
I do care more on the quality of the piece than on the speed of finishing the whole thing.
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4. Habit Stacking
The technique is to link up new habits to old ones.
Jus for instance:
- drinking water immediately after brushing teeth
- stretching after every meeting
But, it was not long before I started finding my routines too rigid.
One lapse in the routine.
The whole structure began to feel as if it was crumbling down.
Rather than cherishing the small victories. It was the opposite.
I felt bad about missing something out.
What I Do Now:
I do not try to shoehorn habits into an unbending order of things any longer.
As of now, I will introduce a single habit and allow it to stay for some time before any other addition is made.
There are days when I do not perform a certain habit — and that is fine.
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5. The 80/20 Rule
Sitting down to plan a week’s worth of work in advance seemed futile.
I recalled the 80/20 rule.
It posits that 80 percent of the results come from 20 percent of the effort.
The tendency to spend time only on tasks that yielded the highest percent returns.
The only problem is this — nothing ever goes as it’s expected. Especially when limited to the 20%.
Even so, I felt ashamed each time there was an instance of time being used on minor yet reasonable tasks.
Answering emails and cleaning the working area were a couple.
That is because it was more of a useless activity.
Which was not the case.
What I Do Now:
I have come to the understanding that not all activities have to produce extreme results.
Some activities — like desk organization or response to emails — may not turn the world upside down.
But they are still necessary for one’s well-being.
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6. Future-Self Planning
The concept of designing a life that would lead me to becoming the person I want to become appealed to me a lot.
I would picture my ‘future self’ and try to act in those lines.
But, contrary to what one might think, I was very much inspired.
Instead, I felt very much stifled.
The problem was that I would always create mountains out of molehills.
I anticipated an instant nip-tuck just like that.
And when things didn’t go as coordinated, I would chastise myself for a lack of willpower.
What I Do Now:
I’ve learnt to be more forgiving to my present self.
Rather than seeking utopia, I target little changes that are achievable.
I reassure myself that development is not a race.
It is acceptable to proceed step by step.
Productivity Without the Pressure
I’ve discovered that being productive doesn’t mean I have to adhere to every time management trend.
It means understanding my limits.
And being okay with the fact that I may not do everything as envisaged.
At this point, I am not planning my entire day.
I focus on doing important activities whenever I can.
Some days are great. Some days are not so great — and that is life.
The purpose of time management is to ensure one feels in control. Not more stressed.
If any of these strategies feel limiting, discard them.
It is your time.
Manage it as you wish, without the pressure to explain yourself to anyone.
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I hope you enjoyed reading. This blog post comes from what I’ve learned, what I think, and what I believe. Sign up for my Medium newsletter.
Here is my substack in case in want to read more of my works.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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