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Ask HN: How do you schedule your life?

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11–20 of 37 posts

Re: Ask HN: How do you schedule your life?

#11
post #2

I don't have any strict schedule really, but I've made one weird thing recently, which seems to be making a difference. Not really long term yet, but over this weekend I seemed to actually do more useful things, than usually. I've listed all the things I tend to do while procrastinating, instead of doing things that matter. Then I've layered them on top of each other, like "I should do X", but "instead I think about…

> but I've made one weird thing recently,

Doctors hate him!

Re: Ask HN: How do you schedule your life?

#13
It depends on the time of year.

I'm still in university in a math degree. I hope to continue on to the PhD program. During the school year my schedule is mostly tight and math-focused. I work between classes and on off-days. Occasionally I take a break to write or make art. I keep a little list of due dates and deadlines, but apart from that the schedule is not very strict. I don't like to get caught up in the mindset that "school is your life", and like to be a little flexible and give myself space to recuperate or work on my hobbies.

I look ahead five years. In five years I'll hopefully have my PhD, and in the next two years I'll find some undergrad research. In the next year I'll start TA'ing for classes I enjoy. Beyond that, I have dreams. I keep a close eye on my dreams-- that is, I wait for them to change, if they change, and then update my "path" to point more in that direction. But only a little bit! I point in the general direction of my dreams while keeping myself open to new possibilities. And I keep a few back-up plans, or general sustaining plans I can follow if stuff gets a little slow or doesn't work out. For example, tutoring in my country starts at $25/hour. If for some reason I'm not up to continuing my education after the bachelor's right away, I'll go into tutoring full time, then save up enough money to get back to school or really anything else. I might get a bachelor's in computer science in that case, or I might go traveling.

In the summer I do "computery" stuff-- coding challenges, coding games. I'll write more and solidify my understanding of certain math concepts that interested me during the school year.

Don't look too far ahead and don't find yourself in a position where you aren't dreaming-- yet still, don't let your dreams consume you. Always make sure you're taking one step forward. Plan your next steps or meander, but press on.

Re: Ask HN: How do you schedule your life?

#14
> Ask HN: How do you schedule your life?

Logically, we use iCloud, since all of us have iPhones/iOS. We subscribe to calendars and it helps everyone know what's going on. Each person in our family has a calendar, there's also a catch-all calendar to which can be "assigned" to anyone. When something's changed or added, all of us find out.

If something's not on the calendar, you can't legally get mad about forgetting about it in our house. Just the rule.

This is easy to implement right now as all three kids are under 6, so it's just my wife and I administrating it. But should be easy for everyone else over time.

I've considered implementing an always-on calendar setup in the kitchen with an old iPad. A previous job used this for meeting room scheduling and it worked really well.

Re: Ask HN: How do you schedule your life?

#16
I wouldn't worry too much much about sticking to the schedule. Just be sure you skip it for a good reason (e.g you realize you have run out of milk, so you postpone your haircut to go shopping).

Also, and all credit to this is to Jordan Peterson, make sure you schedule something you can actually _do_, e.g make sure to schedule no more than you are willing to do, and make sure there is space for fun things in the schedule.

Re: Ask HN: How do you schedule your life?

#17
post #2

I don't have any strict schedule really, but I've made one weird thing recently, which seems to be making a difference. Not really long term yet, but over this weekend I seemed to actually do more useful things, than usually. I've listed all the things I tend to do while procrastinating, instead of doing things that matter. Then I've layered them on top of each other, like "I should do X", but "instead I think about…

AKA: yak shaving.

Re: Ask HN: How do you schedule your life?

#18
post #3

Getting things done and time blocking are good methods. The worst ist setting all up so you can start over with this methods. It's a lot of work but in the end, it's an awesome feeling. In the beginning, after setting it up, you really need to stay focused on this methods and stick to them. After a while, you get used to it and it becomes much easier. If you want to learn more about it, I can recommend this articles…

GTD has too much upkeep even when setup properly. It gives the illusion of progress because it indirectly focused on efficiency not effectiveness.

As a project manager with multiple projects where my work was to have others do the work it was a good methodology.

As a DevOps guy that is heavily in the dev side I find it destructive.

Re: Ask HN: How do you schedule your life?

#20
I just live a life that doesn't require scheduling much at all. Though, I understand it's not for everyone.

I work, I eat, I do hobbies, I sleep. Repeat ad nauseam.

When I do have to schedule/remember or outline things, a simple to-do list and/or Calendar app is adequate (or phone reminders, which work quite well for me)

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