9 - Manage Time and Life

Summary

Productive scholars establish a routine, a rhythm, that boosts productivity. Most preserve morning hours to tackle their most intellectually demanding tasks and push more routine tasks like meetings and teaching to the afternoon. Most work 40-50 hours per week, though some work more, with about half that time focused on research activities. Productive scholars set goals, prioritize tasks, and orchestrate to-do list plans for reaching them. They are efficient. They fill large time blocks and small time pockets with scholarly work. They take breaks to keep fresh but don’t procrastinate. Productive scholars have learned to say “no” to invitations that interrupt priorities and other time-killing tasks and distractions. Most productive scholars seek and attain a healthy work-life balance that includes time for family, mental rejuvenation, and physical activity, and they lead stable lives marked by routine. Some, however, find it difficult to disengage from work. Female scholars, perhaps because of societal norms, are particularly challenged in attaining a work-life balance.