If you dislike having a structured work schedule but find it difficult to maximize productivity without one, it may be time to change the way you think about time management. Consider your unique creative rhythm: How do you work best on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis to help create order and flexibility? Most people have a natural rhythm in which they can accomplish about one major professional project per month. Projects, meetings, and commitments can vary week to week, but it’s helpful to have a general sense of the weekly cadence that’s right for you. For daily cadence, there’s no single formula. The trick is to be honest with yourself about when you do your best focused work, when you prefer to have meetings, and when you’ll make space for the processing and planning that keeps everything moving. Experiment with your own monthly, weekly, and daily rhythms to find the cadence that’s right for you.
Adapted from "How to Get into a Rhythm at Work If You Can't Stick to a Schedule," by Elizabeth Grace Saunders
