Forget Time Management - 3 Ideas for Better Organizing Your Time in 2023

Happy 2023!

There are only two people whose faces currently grace paper currency in the U.S. - Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin.

In fact, Franklin's face appears on the coveted $100 bill.

Both Hamilton and Franklin were renowned for their ingenious contributions in shaping the foundation upon which many American government institutions and policies are based. One contribution you may not be aware of is Franklin's time management prowess.

As we start a new year, it seems fitting to share his system for organizing your actions throughout the day so that you complete each day with a sense of accomplishment and pride instead of feeling overwhelmed and perpetually behind.

We All Have the Same 24 Hours to Work With

The above image comes from Franklin's autobiography. It shows a 24-hour breakdown for organizing activities. The first three hours are devoted to planning work based on reflections of the previous day.

The next four hours are devoted to core work, followed by a two-hour period many of us would consider as a lunch break. Note, it's two hours, not 15 or 30 minutes as traditionally in many work environments.

The afternoon is dedicated to another four hours of work for a total 8-hour workday. Notice that the evening is intended for recreation - winding down, doing something else that is mentally stimulating but not as rigorous or taxing as your core work, and reflecting upon the day's events.

Tailor to Your Own Needs

As a recovering workaholic, I've always found Frankin's time management system intriguing and have made attempts in the past to follow it. I admittedly struggled and it wasn't until I had a conversation with my friend, Dr. Soliman - a medical doctor and life coach, that I realized my hourly breakdown required slight modification. He suggested that I organize my workdays around my energy.

In other words, when are you most energetic throughout the day?

Once I thought about it, I realized that my time management chart really looks more like this:

Did you notice my afternoon siesta? Yes, if possible, I try to take a nap during the day. It usually lasts about 30 minutes and goes a long way in helping me recharge and rejuvenate. I also spend the early morning hours doing what I call "strategic work." This is work that requires more thinking than doing and from an energy management perspective, I've learned that I do my best thinking early in the morning.

"Tactical work" is the work that requires action - things like attending meetings and events, consulting with clients, and responding to emails and phone calls.

Yes, I only average about five hours of sleep a day, but this is what currently works for me. It's not perfect but I wanted to share this with you so that you can also think about the best way to organize your time around your peak energy levels so that you can maximize performance and productivity.

Don't Forget the Pomodoro Technique

One more thing worth mentioning is that even within the blocks of time I dedicate to strategic and tactical work, I am not working straight through. Instead, I challenge myself to work in 20 to 30-minute increments. I got this idea from Silke Glaab who first introduced me to the Pomodoro Technique.

"Lost Time is Never Found Again"

In business, time is one of our most precious resources. As you start the first week in 2023, how will you best organize your time? Hopefully, you've been inspired by some of the techniques shared in this article on ways to improve your time organization.

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About the Author

Alicia Butler Pierre is the Founder & CEO of Equilibria, Inc. – an operations management firm specializing in business infrastructure for fast-growing small businesses. She’s the author of the two-time Amazon bestseller Behind the Fa?ade: How to Structure Company Operations for Success and host of the top 2% Business Infrastructure podcast. Alicia’s also an adjunct instructor of Lean Principles at Purdue University. A chemical engineer turned entrepreneur, she’s advised, designed, and optimized processes for companies including Shell Oil, Coca-Cola, and The Home Depot.