This page describes how I approach my professional life. If we’re colleagues, I hope this information is helpful, and I welcome comments or suggestions!
One of life’s great challenges is discovering how we, as individuals, work best. By “best”, I mean “in a way that maximizes productivity without disrupting other dimensions of our lives.”
Simply put, how can we prioritize our careers without becoming workaholics?
I’ve been thinking, reading, and writing about this question for more than a decade, and for me, a key practice is maintaining a clear line between “working” and “not working”. When I’m working, in other words, I strive for laser focus. No 30-minute YouTube rabbit holes. And when I’m eating dinner with my family, I’m with my family. No glancing at work email on my smartphone while my kindergartner tells me about her day.
We’re all different, but personally, I’ve found that drawing a clear line between work and the rest of life allows me to be highly productive without risking burnout or feeling like my job has become my whole life. By being truly “off the clock” when I’m not working, I can give my full attention to my family, my friends, and various personal projects. This recharges my emotional and physical reserves, allowing me to return to work refreshed.
To that end, I’ve arrived at the working habits below. They may evolve in the future as I enter new seasons of life, but this is how I’m working now.
Working Hours
Monday through Friday, I generally work the following hours:
- 5:30 AM-7:00 AM: daily and weekly planning, cognitively demanding work, PhD coursework. Location: home office.
- 8:30 AM-5:30 PM: cognitively demanding work in the mornings, an optional lunch break, and meetings batched in the afternoons as much as possible. Location: campus office.
Except for special events, exceptionally busy weeks, and true emergencies, I don’t work after 5:30 PM or on the weekends. This includes checking email.
How I Use Email
Instead of keeping my email client open during the workday, I process email in three daily batches:
- Beginning of the workday
- Around lunchtime
- End of the workday
If you don’t hear back from me immediately, you should soon. It is my goal to respond to all emails within one business day. My email address is my last name [at] truman.edu. If it’s an emergency, please call (660) 785-4105 during business hours.
Making an Appointment
If you’d like to set up a time to talk, please use my Calendly page. If none of the posted times fit your schedule, feel free to email me at my last name [at] truman.edu and we’ll find a workable time.