5 Stages of Productivity
Yes, indeed, I tried to make a play on the 5 stages of grief. Nonetheless…
As all of you, I have 7 days in a week and before we move any further, I’d like to convincingly insist that my schedule is not better or worse than others’ schedules. It’s just … different? Also, I’m not superstitious or religious (quite the opposite, actually, as I’ve sponsored some atheistic organisations over the course of the past 20 years). However…
My week consists of 5 distinct categories of days
Down Days x1
OK, I’ll face my demons first. This is one day of the week when everything goes wrong. I’m not planning this day and I don’t know when it’s going to happen next week (the last occurence was Dec 5, i.e. 2 days ago), but I do know it has to happen every week. There’s no firm schedule - you just wake up in the morning and check your email - that’s all it takes. You instantly know that shit is going to hit the fan. You can’t avoid it but you can point the fan somewhere safe. My take it that if I’m in doubt about some proposals I’ve sent - I follow up on them on the day. If I lose - I learn about it immediately, if not - it’s not going to be on the down day.
Life sucks on these days but I’m smart to recognize them and do less work and go to sleep early.
Challenge Days x2
It’s one of those days when I do something, get proud of it and have to fix it to make it work after all. Say, I get a new appliance - only to learn that my home can’t accommodate this particular version of it, thus a change (not cancellation!!!) is needed. Or if someone sends me money but forgets to put the right SWIFT code - and I find out and help the person fix this.
I work productively on these days but am well aware that things are not going to be right on the first go. Just accepting it and not having high expectations.
Victory Days x2
All things (including the old and stale ones) get in order, everything looks and behaves as if a Stanford MBA magician has ordered things to be perfect all of a sudden. Life just happens. Money just hits the right accounts. Contracts just get signed.
I don’t know how and why this happens. As long as I have 2 days like this per week - I’m super happy. No need for more, honestly.
Sabbath Day x1
I am not religious but I don’t work on Saturdays. Instead, there are lots of things to do around the house, with the kids, reading and having fun. But not doing any paid work, sorry.
Synchronization Day x1
I make plans for the next week and check if any of the past plans need revision. Takes about 15 minutes and usually falls on Sunday.