Insights from a calendar study: One experiment's revelations about personal lifestyle
In a world where time is a precious resource, Vitaly Shitko, a professional ICF coach and 20-year business leader, embarked on an experiment to gain a clear, detailed insight into how his time is actually spent.
Vitaly, who often found himself overwhelmed with tasks, realized that his day was filled with activities he hadn't consciously chosen. He distinguished tasks that moved him forward from those that didn't lead to real growth. This revelation led to a shift in his mindset, as he started saying "I chose to do this instead of that," as opposed to "I don't have time."
To regain control of his schedule, Vitaly began tracking every minute of his time for a month. He broke his work block into 90-minute intervals with 10 minutes of body care in between. This meticulous tracking helped him identify unproductive habits, distractions, and where time was allocated inefficiently.
One of the key benefits of minute-by-minute tracking is that it reveals behavioral patterns and inefficiencies. For instance, Vitaly found that he was spending a significant amount of time on unproductive correspondence and moments where he was physically present but not mentally engaged.
By logging tasks carefully, Vitaly was able to rank them by importance and allocate sufficient blocks for both work and personal priorities. This improvement in focus helped him prevent decision paralysis and balance his tasks effectively.
Scheduling personal activities visibly on his calendar ensured they received dedicated time, reducing anxiety about neglected personal priorities. Vitaly also made sure to have one task-free window in his calendar every day, which served as a buffer.
In addition, Vitaly spends the first 20 minutes of his mornings in silence, gathering his thoughts. He does breathing exercises and a short workout after waking up 40 minutes earlier. In the evening, he spends one hour without a screen, either reading, having a conversation with loved ones, or in silence.
Vitaly emphasizes that restoring balance isn't about revolution, but about small, repeated actions. To start taking control of one's schedule, he suggests adding at least three important markers to the next week's calendar. When examining a week's worth of calendar activities, people should consider the percentage of time spent on urgent tasks, mandatory meetings, unproductive correspondence, waiting, and routine tasks done out of habit.
Taking responsibility for one's time can lead to a sense of freedom and a shift from going with the flow to making conscious choices. Vitaly feels that his "simple" schedule brings back the taste of life. By tracking every minute on a calendar, individuals can objectively analyze, plan, and prioritize activities to align daily actions with personal goals and values.
However, many people may realize they are living someone else's schedule. Vitaly notes that many tasks do not necessarily lead to many results. To break free from this cycle, it's crucial to question the necessity of every task and prioritize those that align with one's personal goals and values.
In conclusion, Vitaly's experiment serves as a reminder that we all have the power to decide how to schedule our time, despite circumstances, family, colleagues, and commitments. By tracking our time meticulously, we can gain a clear understanding of how we spend our time, make conscious choices, and live a more intentional life.
- Vitaly's experiment, driven by a desire for personal growth and self-development, revealed that he spent a significant amount of time on activities that didn't lead to real growth, indicating a shift in his lifestyle.
- Through minute-by-minute tracking and intentional scheduling, Vitaly aimed to balance his work and personal priorities, all while aligning his daily actions with his education-and-self-development goals.
