Time Tracking - really.
When you're in a state of flux or transition, there's a sense of discomfort that can also land with it. Although I've had a great year living in these 6-12 week blocks, what I was anticipating the start of September to look like isn't quite there yet.
I'd also realised that two of my 6-12 week blocks didn't yield what they needed to - the reason, dilution of focus within the focus I'd set. It was time to really look at where I was spending my time.
So for the month of September, I've created a granular time tracker and already a few days in, I've got good data to work with - and some interesting surprises.
No-one is busy. We all have the same 24 hours in a day to work with. Energy levels of course come into play but as a raw starter for ten, if you're reading this, then we've got both got 24 hours each.
My non-negotiable is sleep - and I am fortunate enough to be one of the ones that does average 8 hours most nights. And what I realised even on day one, was that I naturally woke up at a certain time and naturally listened to my body that it was time to get up and get started...getting ready for what is to come.
Areas that have had a lot of time recently like social is now cut right back. I totally appreciate and am grateful for the 2026 I've had thus far and with the change in season, my focus areas will get the most amount of hours allocated to them. Areas such as health and fitness, I've largely maintained from when they were the 6 week focus blocks.
What the data is showing so far:
I've found my flow again with Portfolio People output. Activity is high and has been consistent, and therefore interest, leads and referrals are coming in.
Some categories may need to be broken down further on a future iteration or explanations defined - for example, family and home may mean the same thing to some but for me and time, one would mean quality time with people and the other meaning 'work at home' - you may be spending time in that category but is that how you want to spend it.
You don't have to account for all 24 hours to begin with. Day one I only tracked 19 hours - the other 5 then went where it went. A couple went to telly which is not a regular thing for me, but those 5-10 mins in between tracking are golden and when the magic happens.
I'm excited for the momentum and reflections that are already coming with this exercise. And despite the changing mood and discomfort, I'm still full of gratitude for where I'm at, not least the freshly ground coffee in the morning.
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