"Forget time management—manage your attention"

Keep it simple, because simple is sustainable, and sustainable is what gets you out of that cubicle.

Forbes recently ran an article with the headline "Forget time management—manage your attention." And honestly? They're onto something.  

So, let's do something different. We're going to spend the next 10 minutes getting real about your relationship with time. Don't worry; I'm not going to make you track every minute of your day or colour-code a planner. We're keeping it simple, because simple is sustainable, and sustainable is what gets you out of that cubicle. 

The "What the Hell Am I Doing With My Day" Audit 

Take a moment to think about your typical day. Not the Instagram-perfect version where you wake up at 5 AM and crush 2000 words before your first coffee. I mean your actual day, in all its messy glory. 

Ask yourself: 

1. What tasks are eating up most of your time? 

2. Which tasks do you avoid, only to panic-complete them at the last minute? 

3. How can you realistically manage your time to prioritize writing without burning out? 

I've listed some questions to get those neurons firing. Fill it out if you want, or don't. The point is to start thinking critically about how you spend your time. 

• What does your typical day look like?

• How do you spend your time at work and home?

• Are there any specific tasks that consistently take up much of your time?

• What are the main challenges you face?

• How often do you find yourself getting distracted?

• Are you open to making changes to your current habits and behaviours?

• What motivates you to make changes in your time management habits?

The Myth of the Perfect Schedule 

Here's a fun question: Is there such a thing as an ideal schedule? 

The answer is about as clear as your career path right now—it depends. It depends on whether your current schedule: 

• Actually includes time blocks for the writing projects you care about (you know, the ones that might actually get you out of your cubicle) 

• Gives you a sense of peace, even when you're drowning in to-dos 

• Makes you want to throw your laptop out the window 

Values: Not Just for Corporate Mission Statements 

Elizabeth Grace Saunders, a regular contributor to HBR, suggests a three-step process for creating a values-driven schedule: 

1. Get clear on what's important 

2. Define why it's important 

3. Fuse your priorities with your schedule 

It sounds simple, right?  

Kate Northrup writes in her book "Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management": 

"But if most of us take an honest look at our schedules, what we spend our time on doesn't reflect the things that we say matter to us." 

Ouch. That hits a little too close to home, doesn't it? 

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So, here's your homework: 

Answer these two simple questions:  

1. What do you need to do more of? Less of? 

2. What do you need to start doing? Stop doing? 

Remember, this isn't about crafting the perfect schedule. It's about creating a schedule that reflects your values and gets you closer to that Substack dream, one imperfect day at a time. 

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This is the fifth post out of 24 essays I plan to write as part of the Sparkle on Substack Essay Club to keep myself accountable and post regularly.

If life often gets in the way of your regular writing and you are a fellow Substacker (which many of you are), I'd recommend you join Claire Venus and Sparkle on Substack Essay Club.