how do you organize your working day?

N

I am somehow not able to have an every day routine! Sometimes I have a plan but after a day I ignore it. Then I go to library but after a week I skip it. Then I am in the internet instead of working (like now :-( )
I would like a lot to hear about your daily routine and how you manage to stick to it!

Avatar for sneaks

no routine here! I just try and get on with stuff as much as possible without too much dithering. Although at the moment I seem to get distracted and only do a few hours a day. Other half doesn't help either as he is doing PhD but has decided not to work over summer and watches cricket all day grr.

I do know that I cannot work anywhere but at home as get fidgity.

J

I know that I can't work anywhere but home too. I hate feeling 'trapped' or obliged to stay in a place like the library... I like to work on my own too. Because I have my freedom here I do sit at my desk alllll day! My routine is to be at my desk from 9.30 - 6 every weekday apart from if out exercising/getting library books. Productivity is sporadic though. *Sigh*

A

My daily routine generally involves browsing the internet, bathing, eating, until about 2-o-clock when I panic and do two hours good work, alas.

N

Yes, I just feel unconfortable in library, but there is less distraction than at home. For sure one can work without a routine, but I work preatty chaotic, sometimes I work from morning till late night, then I am watching crime storys for days. I am lust looking for a calmer work-style

N

@away: to often for ne it is EXACTLY the same... and I am traing so much to change it

Avatar for sneaks

I did read on the accountability partners thread about using an egg timer. So I downloaded a little timer gadget for my windows sidebar which 'tings' after an hour (or however long you set it) It really does show how unproductive I can be in an hour and I think, since downloading it I have become a little better at getting on with things, rather than just staring at my desk, then getting ANOTHER cup of tea.

N

I also heard that the first step to fight laziness is to be aware of it
The few times I go to library I see people completely focused on their work, for hours and hours. I really envy those people. I love my work, no question. But I also love my wasting time strategies like tidying up my flat, planning my lunch, looking at catalogues (IKEA is my favorite those days) or staring into the air. And my nails... they look best in times of high desk-activity :-D
Maybe I will have another try with a strict timetable!

Avatar for sneaks

I too see 'those people' in the library and I am often envious. However, I have also experienced people like this at my work and actually find that they do the same amount of work in a day that I do in an hour and the quality is no different. Same with people who look like they are frantically typing away at something - turns out its msn messenger lol.

J

oh yes, I think that everyone on this planet is more conscientious and productive than me. But then my boyfriend reminds me that I work at home on my own so I notice how unproductive I am. If I was 'at work' how many hours a week would I be working hard; how many half-heartedly; and how many would I be chatting, making tea, going out and getting snacks, commuting, emailing bla bla. And so, quite wonderfully for my esteem, he usually concludes that I probably work more and harder because I am a) on my own and b) seeking to counteract these feelings of guilt...

I think its an interesting thought.

A

You'll love this. Make this your desktop paper!

http://interfacelift.com/wallpaper/downloads/01223_alittlemotivation_1280x1024.jpg

J

hehe!

S

The secret 2 organizing ur working day is DEADLINE. Prepare a deadline for any task such as Thesis Chapter u r working on, articleu r trying to complete 4 publishing, etc. Upon deciding d deadlines, do inform ur supervisor. Thus, in that way, it might push ur 2 do organise and complete ur work. Something 4 ur tghts, Imagine, if u keep on going with the stuffs u r doing, u might end up have 2 extend ur research work. Perhaps tiny bits of fear on extra ££ u hv 2 fork out, etc hopefully can help u 2 get organise.Happy researching, Cheers.

T

Yep, now I've set up chapter deadlines I'm flying through them - for me, deadlines made me stop facebooking and emailing and checking on here and actually do some work so I don't incur the wrath of my supervisors!

R

Deadlines work for me too, especially as my final submission creeps nearer (a tiny bit of anxiety prods me into action). I prefer working at home as well, and find I can more or less avoid procrastinating on the internet if there's a detective thing on the TV around lunchtime. I find that arranging my working day around a good, short lunchtime mystery makes me more productive for some strange reason... preferably Ironside, though anything will do at the moment!

PS thanks Janey for pointing me towards this forum via her blog :-)

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