After I arrive at work, I set aside time before 8 am for personal activities such as breakfast, morning study, and spending time with family. From 8 am to 10 am, I have quiet time to study and prepare for the day without checking emails until the last 30 minutes. From 10 am to 4 pm, I open my calendar for others to book meetings with me. However, I block 12 pm to 1 pm for lunch, one hour for afternoon study, and 30 minutes from 4 pm to 4:30 pm for daily afternoon review. Then, I double-check my emails for 30 minutes before stopping work at 5 pm. I take a break from 5 pm to 6 pm, commute back home, and have dinner with family from 6 pm to 8 pm. After that, I dedicate an hour until 9 pm to exercise and spend time with my husband or friends. I relax and entertain myself from 9 pm to 10 pm, which sometimes involves extra exercise. From 10 pm to 11 pm, I prepare for sleep by cleaning and winding down, and I aim to sleep by 10:30 pm. However, if I'm not ready, I meditate and relax until I'm ready to sleep.
We previously discussed various approaches to morning routines. I enjoy Benjamin Franklin's routine, which involves asking myself what I want to achieve and what's most important in my life. I also reflect on what I did the previous day and how it aligns with my long-term goals. Asking these questions at the start of my workday is crucial.
When structuring our day, it's essential to give ourselves personal time and quiet time, prevent others from filling our calendars, and prioritize what's essential to us. That includes building our knowledge to become subject experts, achieving our life goals, and helping those we care about. These three things should be put on our calendar first, and CANNOT be moved. They are the foundation of our structured day.