Feeling Busy

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“I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several
days attack me at once.”

– Ashleigh Brilliant

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Almost all of us tend to feel busy, overworked and overwhelmed.

In one study, the psychologist Robert Boice asked a group of professors whether this was the busiest year of their lives. Fifty five percent said, “Yes.”

Do you feel as though this is the busiest year of your life? If so, according to Boice, you probably felt the same way last year and are likely to feel this way next year as well!

Robert Boice also conducted research asking faculty members to estimate how much they worked. The academics estimated that they worked an average of almost 60 hours per week and spent almost 30 hours on research and writing.

Next, these same faculty members were asked to keep records of their time spent working – not just on campus but truly engaged in work. In contrast to estimates, the records of actual work time averaged 29 hours per week, just 1.5 hours on research and only 30 minutes of weekly writing.

Have you ever kept track of the amount of time you spend working, or more specifically on writing?

Many of my coaching clients and students have found it useful to keep track of where they spend their time. They’ve also noticed that when they record their writing periods they are motivated to spend more time writing. The act of monitoring their time increased their efforts.

Boice’s research also shows that the amount of worry and pressure we feel is not necessarily correlated with how many hours we are working.

Furthermore, being busy does not mean that we must automatically feel overwhelmed.

Do you remember feeling busy as an undergraduate? Do you now look back and sigh over the vast number of free hours you actually had?

Do those of you with children remember the time before parenthood when you felt swamped and overwhelmed? Do you now look back and sigh over the free hours and flexibility you actually had?

In general, the number and range of responsibilities increases as we progress in our career. And at each stage, we may feel stretched and stressed. The goal is to learn to manage our tasks so that we are productive and yet still have time for family, friends and relaxation.

Creating a balanced, emotionally stable life includes the realization that we can’t do it all.

We can’t do it all, but we can do enough. If we don’t expect to get every item on our “to do” list crossed off, we’ll feel less disappointed when we only make partial process.

It is important to begin by setting priorities. First things first, should be our motto.

The most effective and productive academics I know work each day on their most important projects. They carve out time for daily research and writing. They avoid perfectionism and don’t spend unnecessary time tweaking low-priority tasks. They make time for their own work amidst the clamor and demands of students, colleagues and collaborators.

What will you do this week to manage your time?
Will you keep track of your scholarly efforts?
Will you prioritize your “to do” list?
Will you carve out time for writing?

Comments

[ianqui]

the records of actual work time averaged 29 hours per week

Oh, don't tell David Horowitz that.

[Jude]

It is definitely a trend and I appreciate you all for sharing. Forging onward. Peace,J

[Linda]

It takes another person to show me how to cut off from being busy on unimportant work and I had one. That helped me a lot.

Now when I drive to work, I'll tell myself several times that as soon as I get to office, I'll work on that particular writing. I'll tell myself again once there. It worked very well this week! Can't promise another week...It's a constant battle...

[skookumchick]

Can you share the Boice reference for the study of time estimations? Thanks!

[Nina]

This is helpful. I kept a log on how much I write from January to August 2007 and found it immensely helpful and reassuring. However, I have since lost all motivation to write and publish so writing each day (as I did) doesn't necessarily increase motivation. It seems like a great struggle and I am pondering leaving academe with its publishing pressures.

I would also be interested to know what one does about low-priority tasks? I understand, I think, the difference between priority and urgency (something unimportant can nevertheless be urgent) but how does one manage those contradictory demands? What to do when something needs to be done NOW but is not at the top of one's priority list?

You're providing a great service! I am very impressed with all you do.

[academic coach]

The Boice research was from 1989. I've got to look up the reference more specifically...
Maybe folks estimate better this century.

Nina,
This week I've tried to address a bit of what you're asking about.