My Time Management for Someone Who Hates Being Tied Down #MyRelaxedTimeManagement [Yupi-san Contest]

Today, I am participating in Yuki Ishikawa (Yupi)-san's publication commemorative contest, "My Relaxed Time Management"!

It's nothing to be proud of, but I don't really like having my daily schedule packed tight because it makes me feel like I'm being chased.

As a result, this is what happens.

Yeah, it's the "Infinite Self-Loathing" chapter.
However, I've never been good at "hardcore time-saving techniques," so I'd like to introduce a few relaxed time management methods that even I was able to do.

1. Using different tools for schedule checks

The first thing that felt right for me was using different planners and schedule management tools for different purposes.
Of course, using different tools basically increases the effort involved, so you don't need to think about "doing it perfectly".

At the same time, I'm a bit of a worrier, and I sometimes get concerned about whether "everything is properly included" or if things are "written in detail." When I consolidated my schedule into one tool, I couldn't instantly get the level of detail I needed depending on the situation, which was the background for adopting this method.

1-1 Put non-negotiable appointments and important events on the calendar

I use sticky notes to mark key events and appointments for the day.
I do this so I can roughly understand the category by color, and also to avoid having three or four sticky notes on a single day.

Since I only look at the general schedule, I keep the content to just the time and the event, or maybe a short note (like when the online meeting tool is different from usual).

Also, since schedules change and there are recurring monthly appointments, sticky notes that can be easily repositioned are very useful.

1-2 Keep medium- to long-term goals at hand

First, I decide on 10 or 20 things I want to do in a notebook or on paper and write them all out.
Then, I extract the things that I tend to put off if I don't write them down onto this memo pad.

By the way, going to art museums is already scheduled while looking at my annual calendar, so I don't include it in this memo.
This is a memo to make sure I don't forget things like "Oh right, I wanted to do that" or "I haven't had this kind of experience lately."

1-3 Daily "things I want to do" list and balance check

On top of that, I write down the key tasks for today.
Writing everything down makes it easy to feel discouraged by how much there is, so halfway through, I changed the name from "ToDo List" to "Things I Want to Do List."

・It would feel refreshing if I could do this
・It would make me feel more at ease
・It would give me a sense of accomplishment
—I will write about things like that.

Although I write these every day, they also serve the purpose of organizing my thoughts, so I sometimes reuse the "☆Stock" section as is.

In the end, cornering myself with the thought that "I have to do this..." only makes things harder, soif it's easy for me to do, that's fine—that is the conclusion I reached regarding these types of management topics.

And one more thing.
Since just writing things down can make daily reflection feel weak, I created a habit of reflecting periodically.

However, with daily habits (habit trackers),it becomes painful if you look for the parts you haven't done. I have been doing this for over three years now, but as you can see if you look,there are plenty of days without checkmarks.

While the aspect of visualizing what you've "done" by recording it is important, when you haven't done something, it serves as a neutral benchmark to think, "I haven't been doing this much lately,maybe I should get to it soon."

Also, although it's cut off from the table, I have included reflection-related content itself in the table, such as "Open my 3-year diary" and "Organize thoughts using the Zero-Second Thinking method," so it is effective for "not leaving things neglected forever" rather than "doing things every day."not leaving things neglected forever."

Don't feel down about being a "three-day quitter."You can start again at any time, and that is enough to keep it going.

I also intentionally include the 3-year diary, which is already a habit, so that there is never a day in these daily habits without at least one circle.
I think just doing things like that makes the way you perceive it much easier.

2. Motivation Boost: Practical Application

However, even so,there are times when you have to proceed with things you don't feel like doingright? I have always used the term "artistic temperament" as an excuse to avoid things I don't want to do as much as possible, so I completely understand.

At times like that, I will introduce a fewmethods I use to boost my motivation and start working.

2-1 Schedule something to look forward to

In my case, this is what works the best.
I'm going to the museum today, so I'll finish everything by such-and-such time.
Lunch, karaoke, or time to talk with friends are also good.

Of course, it's hard if everything costs money, so reading a book in that park, sketching, or taking photos of things I like.
Finishing by such-and-such time and focusing on games or dramas during this time.
I think those are good too.

That said, I think there are parts that are difficult if you have small children, have a lot of physical work to do, or don't know when you might get a call.

However, the point isto move forward even a little with things you don't feel like doing, so it's okay if the schedule you made doesn't go perfectly. It's also okay if you don't finish what you decided to do.At least I was able to get my hands on it, I was able to move it forward.

When I could think that way, I felt much more at ease.

2-2 Timer utilization technique to avoid getting discouraged

Speaking of timers, it's the Pomodoro Technique, right?
Recently, there are also YouTube BGM videos where 25 minutes + 5 minutes of break are set within the video.

Of course, I use the Pomodoro technique myself, but I've started to arrange it a little.

That is to make it a "count-up."
Of course, since the count just keeps increasing, there is no concept of time being up.

The Pomodoro technique is extremely effective when you are pressed for time or when you are knocking out small tasks one after another, but for tasks like brainstorming ideas or developing concepts, your performance might improve if you set the breaks yourself.

In such cases, while matching my own timing, I try to arrange it by using a count-up or turning off the buzzer so that I don't end up thinking, "I can't believe how much time has passed!" and also by setting a slightly longer time.

Just like before, the ideal situation is "the task is progressing before I know it," so I hope you will try out these "arranged recipes" according to your mood and situation at the time.

2-3 Doing things in small portions (Quick chores)

The last thing I'd like to introduce is something that is hard to recommend, or rather, not the standard way, so I would be happy if you could use it as a reference, thinking, "There's also this kind of method."

I work remotely a lot, and even when I work outside the home, I'm basically doing desk work or facing a PC.
Because of that, I've had serious pain in my lower back and hip joints, so I've made it a point to stand up frequently.

At that time, I put away one piece of folded laundry. Or, I wash a few dishes, or put back just a little bit of the dishes my partner washed in the morning into the cupboard.
I wipe clean only a part of the places that bother me.

Since I can't leave things alone forever, this doesn't really work for things like hanging laundry, and in the first place, you might point out, "Is it really okay to wash dishes little by little?" but I've let go of the idea that I have to do this perfectly.

Even if it's little by little, it's better than not making any progress at all.
Anyway, don't try too hard to save things up and do them all at once.
I think the way I mentioned using weekends at the beginning also doesn't work well because you are trying to "save it up and do it all at once."

Having said that, according to this logic, I should be able to avoid doing a big year-end cleaning, but that's not the case at all, so I'll treat that as a separate matter and hope to continue without being too caught up in "I must do this", and keep things relaxed, flexible, and easy.

Yupi-san, thank you for the wonderful project!
Everyone's time management techniques are also incredibly helpful!!

#MyRelaxedTimeManagement