Envisioning Desired Time Log Entries Drives Intentional Choices
TL;DR
- Proactively envisioning desired time log entries before tracking empowers individuals to make conscious choices that align with their goals, increasing the likelihood of achieving desired activities.
- Framing time management around what one wants to see in their log, rather than solely focusing on reducing unwanted activities, shifts focus to intentional planning and positive reinforcement.
- Knowing desired future time log entries can motivate creative problem-solving, such as exploring grocery delivery or involving friends in errands, to accommodate valuable activities.
- Accountability from time tracking, combined with a focus on desired outcomes, encourages making choices that align with personal values and pride, rather than just avoiding negative behaviors.
- Engaging one's "remembering self" by asking what one wants to have accomplished or experienced this week, even without formal tracking, guides present decisions toward future satisfaction.
Deep Dive
This episode advocates for a proactive approach to time management, positing that envisioning desired outcomes on a time log before the week begins is a powerful tool for influencing present choices. By focusing on what one wants to see reflected in their time, individuals can strategically plan and make real-time decisions that align with their goals, thereby increasing satisfaction with how time is spent.
The core implication of this reframing is a shift from passive observation of time expenditure to active cultivation of desired experiences. When individuals pre-define what they wish to see on their time log--whether it's connecting with a partner, investing in colleague relationships, or trying new activities--they create a clear target. This target then serves as a guide for making conscious choices during the week, such as scheduling a walk with a spouse or accepting a happy hour invitation. The act of imagining the completed log empowers individuals to overcome inertia or distractions by providing a concrete, desirable future state to strive for. Furthermore, this forward-looking perspective can foster creativity; for example, a desire to see a social activity logged might prompt innovative solutions like grocery shopping with a friend to combine errands with connection. Even without formal time tracking, asking "What do I want to have done this week?" can leverage the "remembering self" to steer current decisions toward more fulfilling outcomes. This approach transforms time management from a mere accounting exercise into a strategic practice for achieving personal and professional fulfillment.
Action Items
- Create weekly time log vision: Define 3-5 desired activities to focus on for the upcoming week.
- Draft proactive plan: Identify 2-3 specific actions to increase desired time log entries (e.g., schedule walks, propose lunches).
- Measure desired time allocation: Calculate the percentage of time spent on identified desired activities for the past week.
- Evaluate time log choices: Review daily decisions against the weekly vision to identify 1-2 opportunities for better alignment.
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View Episode Notes →Key Quotes
"When you know how you hope to have spent your time, you are more likely to actually do the things you want to have done."
Laura explains that having a clear vision for how one wishes to allocate their time serves as a powerful motivator. This proactive approach increases the probability of engaging in desired activities.
"One of the biggest benefits is accountability. When you know you're going to write down how you spend your time, you may be more likely to make choices with your time that you are proud of."
Laura highlights that the act of recording time usage fosters accountability. This awareness encourages individuals to make conscious decisions that align with their values and lead to actions they can feel good about.
"I think that before you even start tracking, you can ask what you would like to see on your time log at the end of the week. By asking what you would like to see, you can make plans and choices that increase the amount of time spent on those things."
Laura suggests a preparatory step for time tracking: envisioning the desired outcome. She argues that this forward-looking perspective enables individuals to actively plan and make choices that facilitate the realization of those time commitments.
"But just as important, we should ask what we want to spend more time doing. We should ask what we want to see reflected in our time. Because that empowers us to plan these things in, or to make choices that increase these activities in the moment."
Laura emphasizes the importance of focusing on desired activities, not just reducing unwanted ones. She states that identifying what one wants to accomplish empowers them to intentionally schedule these activities or make immediate choices that support them.
"When you involve your remembering self in making decisions about how to spend your time, you are more likely to spend your time in ways your remembering self will be happy with."
Laura proposes that considering one's future self when making present decisions about time allocation leads to more fulfilling experiences. She suggests that this perspective helps ensure that current choices align with long-term satisfaction.
Resources
External Resources
Tools & Software
- Monarch - All-in-one personal finance tool for budgeting, accounts, investments, and net worth tracking.
People
- Laura Vandercam - Host of the Before Breakfast podcast, offering advice on time logging and financial management.
Organizations & Institutions
- iHeartRadio - Production company for the Before Breakfast podcast.
Websites & Online Resources
- Lauravandercam.com - Website to sign up for the time tracking challenge and receive a time log and motivational emails.
- watch.nfl.com - Website for the NFL playoff schedule.
Other Resources
- Time Log - A tool used to track how time is spent, discussed as a method for improving time management and accountability.
- Time Tracking Challenge - An annual event hosted by Laura Vandercam where participants track their time for a week.