[Tracking Every Minute]-Day 26 – Boxing Day Routine
This post is the twenty sixth post in the #trackingeveryminute challenge. You can follow along here.
Today is a Thursday after two vacation days, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In the UK its boxing day, but here in the US its just Thursday. With no big holiday plans, I want to get some work in today. But I also want to keep in mind that the kids are off, so I should take advantage and hang out with them.
8:00 – 9:30. Wake up and read. No drop off duty this morning. Favorite way to start the day is with some coffee and a book.
9:30 – 10:30. After two full days off I had more catching up to do than usual. Bunch of emails and follow ups during this time.
10:30 – 12:30. First deep work block of the day. Similar to Monday’s, after vacation days it’s really important to focus on getting into deep work. It is really easy for me to just mindlessly do tasks, instead of focusing on the important work.
12:30 – 2:00. Kids are home, so had lunch with everyone.
2:00 – 4:00. Second deep work block of the day. I don’t want to get greedy while the kids are home, but getting a second deep work block in while everyone is home seems like I might be pushing work a bit too much.
4:00 – 6:00. Hang at home. After the second work block of the day I felt it was important to hang with the kids.
6:00 – 9:30. Went to dinner and a movie with the family.
9:30 – 11:00. Hung out with the kids at home after the movie.
Mental Boxing Day
When working from home and the kids are home and its the day after Christmas, it’s hard to focus on working. What’s difficult is that “I know” what’s important, my family, but at the same time, I know that I have to work. What is the right balance?
There is no right answer. It’s not like I can say, 2 hours of family time and I am good for the day. On my death bed, I will not remember the work I did today. I will wish that I spent more time with my children. How do you strike that balance every day? Again, I have no idea.
When you are thinking deeply about how you spend your time, these are the types of questions that pop up. It’s probably more important that I have these questions than that I have answers. If the kids are at school or are doing their own things, the question answers itself. When they are home, it gets really difficult.
I feel like I struck a good balance today. I am sure there will be days when I feel the balance is off.
Main Takeaways
- Questions are more important that answers.
- Perfect balance is impossible