In this second part in the Learning to Thrive series, Clare Mulvany, founder of Thrive School, explores her own relationship with time, and how by tracking what boosts her energy she is redefining her relationship to what quality time actually means and how it influences thriving. If you missed part 1 of this series – Defining the measure of your success – check it out here.
Our circadian rhythms chime at our own pace. What is morning for one may not feel like morning for another. What’s late to some may seem early to others. And yet, in the world of work, ‘time management’ is a thing and 9-5 productivity taken as a standard. But, I wonder, is it time to re-define that standard?
Over the last year I have been experimenting with my relationship to time and energy. I moved from Dublin to West Cork in April 2016 and since then have been trialing out a more efficient work day, committing to four hours of concentrated, productive work time a day. Whether those hours are in the morning or evening it really doesn’t matter- what matters to me is the quality of my output. As mentioned, it is all an experiment but shifting attention to the consistent quality of my relationship with my work has meant that I am reducing the time I waste on meaningless scrolling while having more beach time too.
By focusing on quality and energy, I am finding that I get as much done in four hours as I did when I used to spend all day at a computer. I take regular breaks and go on lots of walks. There are days when I choose to spend more than four hours working or days when my workload is more intense and requires more time, but in the main, using the ‘four hour’ gauge acts as good barometer through which to measure my productivity. If I am just staring at a blank screen or hopping from one website to the next, I remind myself turn it all off, get up from the table and go for a walk.
Like everything, learning to focus is a practice, one which requires constant refinement. As someone who is easily distracted, I’ve needed to put some ground rules in place to help me stay on track. So as I learn this practice, below are a few things I have found helpful along the way. I am aware that because I am self-employed my time may be more flexible than others but whatever your current schedule I hope at least some of these will be applicable.
Protect and harness your peak hours
Peak hours are when your natural rhythm is heightened and you feel most alert. My peak hours are early afternoon and late evening. Knowing this, I don’t schedule meetings or calls before 10am. I’ll frequently be working late into the night too. On those nights I give myself permission to get up a little later the following day. On occasion when I feel I am in ‘the zone’, time does not seem to matter, so I try to just roll with it. If energy is flowing, ideas are flowing and creativity is on the go, I work to harness this momentum by reducing other distractions like turning off my phone and internet.
*What are your peak hours and how can you limit your own distractions?
Have the right conversations
Carving four hours of concentrated time can require some upfront conversations. I don’t have a designated office space so I need to communicate with those around me to tell them when I don’t want to be interrupted, why, and when they can have me back!
*What conversations do you need to have, and with whom, to create focused time for yourself?
Moving every twenty to thirty minutes
More and more I find it increasingly difficult to sit for long periods of time. I have taken to standing when writing emails, and every 30 mins or so, I try to either do some quick chair yoga stretches, or I get up to shake my legs.
*What can you do to remind yourself to move on a regular basis?
Creating blank space
My daily walks are essential blank spaces. They are my idea generating/ incubation spaces. My walking time is time to think, process, plan, digest, innovate and be curious. It is often when I am walking that a solution to a problem will arise or an idea will pop. I usually have a journal with me to jot down any ideas along the way or sometimes I record a voice memo into my phone. Other times I choose to take a particular client on an imaginal walk with me – thinking through some of their issues or challenges, and then seeing what resources, ideas, or solutions arise when I think about them. So as I get exercise, my dog gets exercise and my clients get exercise too!
*What does blank space mean to you? How can you carve even just a few minutes of it in your daily schedule?
Chunking time
Chunking meetings by scheduling them in blocks and around other meetings or appointments has been a really simple but effective practice. When I need to go into the town or city I try to chunk as many meeting together as possible. This has become even more important now that I am living in the countryside and don’t want to be spending all my time driving from one meeting to another.
*What elements of your work can you chunk together?
Blocking regular weekly activities
Monday is always the day I do banking and send invoices. Wednesday has a two hour study block and Tuesdays and Thursdays are my preference day for booking in private client calls. Each day has a weight and intention to it, which helps to keep me focused on the tasks at hand and keep a steady pace.
*How might you ‘weight’ your own week? What intention can you give to each day?
One touch method
It is a simple premise: if you touch it, finish it. This little tool is about linking single tasks as units and, as much as possible, following individual tasks to an end. Picked up a dirty cup? Wash it, dry it, and put it away there and then. Just done your laundry? Fold it and put it away. Finishing a simple task to the end frees brain space and mental energy.
*Think through a few tasks which you could apply this ‘one touch’ method to. Give it a go for a week and see what you notice…
Tuning into what fuels you
Naturally there are days where the slump hits (it happens to us all). So, rather than battling it, try asking, ‘What will nourish me now? What will fuel me?’ Depending on the day, weather or season, this can vary greatly for me. Sometimes it is a conversation with a close friend, sometimes it is a walk by the sea, sometimes it is heading to a coffee shop with my journal or sometimes it is taking a nap. The slump happens but catching it in time and trying to stop the nagging sense of guilt is the trick.
*Make a re-fueling list. What are the small simple things that you can incorporate into your daily schedule which nourish and sustain you?
In the next part of the series, we will share a simple practice for building and sustaining personal habits for thriving.
Clare Mulvany is the founder of Thrive School, supporting people to catalyse their own personal and professional dreams and visions though entrepreneurial learning programmes, courses, workshops and private coaching. She is hosting a one day workshop on the topic of value on February 18th, and a new four month Dublin programme is starting on 11 March. More programmes in Cork, Galway and other nationwide locations to follow. Find out more: claremulvany.ie
Support Our Campaign
We rely on the generosity of the public to fund our work and so far together we have achieved great things! Please do continue to support us so we can provide future generations in Ireland with the resources to recognise and talk about their emotions, and equip them to navigate the ever-changing world around them as they grow
