I started the below post on March 31st. I never published it (I got involved, got distracted). While I am no longer feeling quite so paranoid, I think I still want to remember these feelings. I think I also want others to know that they are not alone in these feelings. They are real. They are valid. You are not crazy.
I think I am paranoid.
No, it’s not about COVID-19. I feel like I have been working non-stop since 9am (with a 1-hour lunch taken in 30-minute chunks). That means I should have logged 6 hours at this point. I added up the time it took to complete each task (I have to keep a record for who-knows-whom), and I got 4.9 hours.
I’m going to get flagged. I’m going to get furloughed.
That’s the paranoid part.
When at work, there’s always down-time. There are the hallway conversations, the afternoon constitutionals around campus (outdoors when weather permits), the popping into your neighbor’s office to ask a question or just to say hi. No one really works a true 7 hours.
But if my logs don’t indicate that I have worked 7 hours (I would prefer they reflect more time), I start to panic and wonder where those minutes went. Did I add wrong? Did I forget to carry the 1? Did I forget I’m working in base 60 rather than base 10?
Writing about it helps. I have 15 minutes before a meeting, and I figure I’m permitted that time to take a break from the work (am I though?) and write about this insanity (it’s not insane if they are really counting).
I ended up creating a new daily activity log template. One that automatically updates the date and tallies up the hours. I submitted it for approval, and got some good comments, but the cabinet wants to test it further. Instead, the cabinet released a previously-approved daily activity log template: They deleted a column. The column needed deleting, but, like, really?
That was bitchy, but I’m leaving it. I’m in a space where my social filter is failing. I want to remember that.
If you still need this: I use Toggl for time-keeping. It works really well for me, no struggle with adding time etc, and I can group tasks in projects (e.g. teaching, manuscript, service, …). I’m not reporting to anybody but it’s good to know where my time goes (or where the blank spots are!).
FYI: 16 pomodori at 25′ each is a powerfully productive day, and that still gives you only 6hrs40mins active time. And if you go 25’on, 5′ break, 30′ break morning and afternoon after 4 sessions, and 60′ lunch that keeps you busy from 8am to 6pm (ask me how I know) so I think you’re not underreporting!