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Adjusting to Time Shifting...

by Dan C. Rinnert
10 replies
I'm not as productive as I used to be. For a while, I've wondered whether it's because I've gotten older or maybe I've lost motivation or maybe I've become lazy. I get less stuff done at night and that carries into the daytime hours and seems to form a vicious cycle.

Then, something occurred to me. About two years ago, there was a shift in my schedule that's largely outside of my control.

And, I don't think I've quite adjusted to it yet. Because the time period when I used to be most productive is the time period I am now going to bed. So, there are times when I'll just sit rather aimlessly at the computer, more or less haphazardly doing things, then I'll start to kick things into gear and it's time to go to bed.

So, I don't get as much done as I used to and I think that carries over into the next day.

In other words, I'm on a new schedule, but my brain is still on the old schedule and my optimal productivity time is now when I'm asleep (or trying to sleep).

Any suggestions to getting adjusted to a new schedule? You'd think after two years, I'd have compensated and adjusted, but seemingly not...
#adjusting #shifting #time
  • Profile picture of the author atwellpub
    Remember that movie about a racecar driver who was the best until he found a woman, then he became awful, maybe its that?

    What happens with me is I have a fantastic night, and I lay in bed thinking how I can wait to get up in the morning to go back to work, and then when I wake up... I've lost that fantastic motivated feeling.

    My suggestion, take more breaks. When the energy just isnt there for me sometimes I mentally quit and go lay down, and just think about things, whatever comes... eventually I feel "oh well I guess I better get back to work" and then I have a nice session.

    If I am mentally freyed, then I will get less done forcing myself to work then if I wait and come back later while a wholeistic attitude and approach work.
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    • Profile picture of the author Odahh
      When you say largely outside your control. You have a few options . Either accept that you are no longer able to work when you most effective. Or you can work to take control of it so you can work when most effective . That the two options you have.
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  • Profile picture of the author kenny5
    It's gonna be hard but just keep on keepin on. Stick to the schedule you need to be on and after a while your brain will start to switch over and it will feel normal again.
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  • Profile picture of the author don21stc
    My 'best' moments, such as they are, are unpredictable but I frequently wake up early and start work at 4 a.m.. Unfortunately, although I'm wide awake and sharp, I tend to use this time to do routine things like accounts and stuff.
    This thread has made me ask myself why I don't use this time for something creative and leave the routine stuff for when I'm out of ideas?
    I don't remember who said 'Genius is 99% sweat' but he was probably right so as Kenny said in his post, just keep on keeping on cos I don't believe that increasing age means you can't think properly.
    But it could be that your time frames are out of sync with your mind. I remember reading an article about insomniacs which claimed that the reason why they couldn't sleep was because they thought they had to go to bed at 11 p.m. and get up at 7 a.m when their minds were actually 'tuned' to needing sleep at, say, 6 p.m to 2 a.m.
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    • Profile picture of the author atwellpub
      Originally Posted by don21stc View Post

      But it could be that your time frames are out of sync with your mind. I remember reading an article about insomniacs which claimed that the reason why they couldn't sleep was because they thought they had to go to bed at 11 p.m. and get up at 7 a.m when their minds were actually 'tuned' to needing sleep at, say, 6 p.m to 2 a.m.
      I tend to take the body spirit conceptive approach. When insomnia was a threat it was because my brain's autonomy was too well developed in it's unnatural practices (computer work, high mental low physical activity), and when faced powering down, the spirit wills the sleep, but the brain autonomy goes on strong. The dissonance in powers(will vrs situation) causes anxiety and the process, if a frequent experience, can be patterned into neurosis.

      So the best thing to do is go to bed early desipite your normal scheduuling, and give yourself an hour-two of non-activity-engaged thought.

      This will realign your will with your brain, because choosing to stay awake you align the two powers, and disolve neurosis.

      When the neurosis is smoothed out then then not getting to "spun" out with your work (IE quiting early enough to give yourself time to chill for an hour + before you go to bed.) becomes a conscience sensitive practice.

      The ability to engage in mental stillness is also a flexing strength that will give the wielder more control over mental domination.
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  • Profile picture of the author AwesomePossum
    Well, why'd u ur schedule change?
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  • Profile picture of the author Aronya
    Sounds like your schedule shifted to an earlier start time. Why not try taking a nap after the main part of your word day is done? That might allow you to stay up later than you currently are, and that would let you work during your more productive biorhythm period.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tonio Smith
    I believe you will agree
    with me when I say, You
    can adjust to whatever it
    is you truly desire to adjust
    to.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sean Phillips
      One thing that I've found super helpful for solving the exact problem you're talking about is "micronapping". It's a really cool little productivity technique that has helped me a lot with my energy level and my ability to work productively (especially during certain times of day when I tend to naturally feel sluggish).

      Here's the article where I originally heard about this technique:

      Micronap your way to success | Change your thoughts

      Hope you find it as helpful as I did!

      Sean
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      • Profile picture of the author Jack J
        Mmm... it sounds a bit like a variety of hiccoughs!

        Bear with me on this.

        Hiccoughs are an esophageal contraction of the diaphragm that repeats several times per minute. Unfortunately, we also have lungs that expand and contract to take in and expel air. Sometime the two functions are out of sync, and so hiccoughs result. There's lots of interesting ideas behind hiccoughs, but, they won't be cured until the esophagous, diaphragm and lungs work in harmony again. Sometimes just forgetting (or distracting yourself from) the problem does the trick. Sometimes it takes a stronger manipulation of the breathing process, such as increasing the CO2 intake using a paper bag, changing the breath timing using funny tricks with glasses of water or sudden shocks. Alternately, my favourite is to go outside and take in big breaths of fresh air.

        The pattern here is to make the decision and take the action - albeit maybe uncomfortable in the short term - which fetches the conflicting actions into harmony again.

        So, now we have your sleep time which is out of sync with your productive time.

        First consideration: when do you want to sleep and when do you want to work? Trust me you have enough time in the day to do both. Go figure, and know why.

        Second: When you're sleeping - sleep. Make all preparations beforehand to be ready for that, the milky drink, the bathroom routine, the quiet time, heck even go for the lavender oil if you like!

        Third: When you're working - work. Make all preparations beforehand to be ready for that, the clear list of your required outcomes, the elimination of distractions - ALL distractions. Then concentrate on your work. Work with discipline and resolve on each task at a time, build in short refreshment breaks if needs be. Most of all, know that there is an end point to each work period.

        Now, do you see the pattern?

        The pattern here is to make the decision and take the action - albeit maybe uncomfortable in the short term - which fetches the conflicting actions into harmony again.
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