Dec 14 2022
Routines and optimal timing
The past 4 weeks, I have been experimenting with different routines. Specifically, trying to find the optimal times for waking up, working out, doing important work, eating, and doing less important work.
I’m still not sure what works best, but here are some of the things I’ve learned:
- Waking up early (before 8am for me) is ambiguous but waking up late (after 9am) is definitely bad. By the time I start doing actual things, it feels like half the day has gone by which is kind of depressing.
- I don’t need to eat breakfast, and maybe lunch as well. Haven’t been a consistent breakfast eater for over 5 years now. I’m not hungry when I wake up and function fine without food. I usually get hungry around 11-12, but I’ve found that eating a small lunch is good for energy levels. Except sometimes I get really hungry—not sure how this works.
- Gym in the morning feels good, but I’m not sure if it’s optimal. Working out in the morning is a good way to feel like I’ve accomplished something early on. However, I think my most effective hours are before noon so working out then seems like a waste of this time. I’ve tried working out a night in the past but found it very tiring. Might have to give it another go.
- It’s hard to get anything done after 9pm.
- A coffee ritual is unecessary, but fun.
I’m most interested in optimizing the right tasks for the right times. How can I structure my day so my best hours are spent on the most important things? What needs to get done before to prepare me? What can I do to maintain my level of energy? When is the best time to do less important things?