How I Made a 26-Hour Day(andrewdumont.me)
andrewdumont.me
How I Made a 26-Hour Day
http://andrewdumont.me/how-i-made-a-26-hour-day
16 comments
"I thought this was going to be about an actual 26 hour day, which is entirely possible (and a very interesting subject).."
Do you mean sleeping 'x' amount of time every '26-x' hours? That is a very interesting notion. It creates an illusion of having more hours in a day. Of course, this comes at cost. If you were to sleep at 12.00am one day, you will have to sleep at 2am the next, and 4am the day after that and so on.
Do you mean sleeping 'x' amount of time every '26-x' hours? That is a very interesting notion. It creates an illusion of having more hours in a day. Of course, this comes at cost. If you were to sleep at 12.00am one day, you will have to sleep at 2am the next, and 4am the day after that and so on.
Yep, exactly that. The idea is to sleep the same amount of time as you normally would (8 hrs, for example) but stay awake longer.
With a 28 hour day you'd come full circle in a week (I think), but with 6 days in your week instead of 7, and 120 hrs awake vs 112 hrs.
Edit: oops, just noticed jgeralnik beat me to it, with illustrations and all!
With a 28 hour day you'd come full circle in a week (I think), but with 6 days in your week instead of 7, and 120 hrs awake vs 112 hrs.
Edit: oops, just noticed jgeralnik beat me to it, with illustrations and all!
Relevant xkcd: http://xkcd.com/320/
I also get sceptical when I read lifestyle-changing formula posts such as this because there's usually never any indication of time/duration.
How long as he been maintaining this new schedule for? If he only started this a week ago, what's to say that this won't change the next week with an ever more optimised formula?
How long as he been maintaining this new schedule for? If he only started this a week ago, what's to say that this won't change the next week with an ever more optimised formula?
I've been maintaining this schedule for the past year and consistently tweaked it before then to find the schedule that resulted in the greatest productivity -- this was it.
Ah, in that case consider me impressed. Though I have a question: how do you manage the lack of (death to your?) social life when you need to get to bed at 9?
> it can take up to 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on task after an interruption.
At first I thought that that is a ridiculously precise time, but it turns out to be a mis-quote. The source [1] claims that that is the average time to get back on task.
[1] http://www.fastcompany.com/944128/worker-interrupted-cost-ta...
At first I thought that that is a ridiculously precise time, but it turns out to be a mis-quote. The source [1] claims that that is the average time to get back on task.
[1] http://www.fastcompany.com/944128/worker-interrupted-cost-ta...
Nice catch, updated!
As a new dad, I can attest that you can survive (and be productive) on a lot less sleep then you think. The trick is that you have to be a lot more active in the day, so you are actually tired at night and can fall asleep fast. And, you have to avoid stuff like alcohol as it really messes up your sleep cycle.
I find that small amounts of alcohol (like a glass of red wine) actually help me sleep well. Anything more than that however causes me to wake up continuously throughout the night and have a headache in the morning.
There's also a trick I learned a couple of years ago that helps you fall asleep when you're lying in bed drunk with your eyes closed and, as the saying goes, "the world keeps turning." That trick is to put one foot on the floor. That will stabilize your sense of balance and you'll be able to fall asleep very quickly. (Also works if you're queasy with things like food poisoning.)
There's also a trick I learned a couple of years ago that helps you fall asleep when you're lying in bed drunk with your eyes closed and, as the saying goes, "the world keeps turning." That trick is to put one foot on the floor. That will stabilize your sense of balance and you'll be able to fall asleep very quickly. (Also works if you're queasy with things like food poisoning.)
if you're going to work out, I would really suggest going first thing in the morning. It has such a dramatically different effect on your day versus working out at night. I'm not a morning person either but I'll never work out at night again.
I usually work out at night but have always heard that working out in the morning is better.. thinking about making the switch. I'm not a morning person either.
What are the benefits? More energy/zest during the day?
What are the benefits? More energy/zest during the day?
Not a morning person myself, but switched to working out in the AM (especially beneficial here in Seattle where it's dark on both sides of the workday for 6 months of the year). The rush from working out will carry you powerfully into the rest of your day and for the most part get you off on a stronger start.
From a health perspective too, it's a lot easier to "refuel" your body throughout the day after a morning workout as opposed to at night.
From a health perspective too, it's a lot easier to "refuel" your body throughout the day after a morning workout as opposed to at night.
I swear by morning workouts. It's just so much more efficient than evenings. When you're tightly scheduled in the morning you're forced to workout efficiently. A good workout isn't necessarily a long one -- high intensity is what matters.
Like Sharkweek said (awesome), the energy it gives you to start your day is amazing. It carries me to lunch with plenty of adrenaline flowing.
I also had difficulty falling asleep when I worked out in the evenings.
Like Sharkweek said (awesome), the energy it gives you to start your day is amazing. It carries me to lunch with plenty of adrenaline flowing.
I also had difficulty falling asleep when I worked out in the evenings.
Note that the post says "context switching is the issue". That's probably true.
I and probably many others too, developed some natural defense against it. I just keep thinking about my task while half-listening to whatever comes up and unless its really that important, just keep it in a corner of my head (or if its a phone conversation, just give basic preplanned replies which take no thinking and make the opposite party happy. I just can't help it, it's automatic).
That's probably because i'm passionate about my tasks and rather introverted, tho. But I though it's interesting to think about it that way too.
I and probably many others too, developed some natural defense against it. I just keep thinking about my task while half-listening to whatever comes up and unless its really that important, just keep it in a corner of my head (or if its a phone conversation, just give basic preplanned replies which take no thinking and make the opposite party happy. I just can't help it, it's automatic).
That's probably because i'm passionate about my tasks and rather introverted, tho. But I though it's interesting to think about it that way too.
A few things are important in my opinion regarding productivity:
1) Minimal lying in bed. If you're in your bed, you should be sleeping. If you can't fall asleep find out why and fix it.
2) Don't get distracted. Of course, easier said than done but you can definitely minimize any possibilites.
3) Experimentation with sleep. Try sleeping a little bit less and less until you find the minimal amount required for you to be refreshed.
4) Continuously reflect and ask yourself if there's a better or more efficient way of doing something.
1) Minimal lying in bed. If you're in your bed, you should be sleeping. If you can't fall asleep find out why and fix it.
2) Don't get distracted. Of course, easier said than done but you can definitely minimize any possibilites.
3) Experimentation with sleep. Try sleeping a little bit less and less until you find the minimal amount required for you to be refreshed.
4) Continuously reflect and ask yourself if there's a better or more efficient way of doing something.
As others have pointed out, this post is not about a 26 hour day, but rather a more efficient 24 hour day.
A find that I get productivity boost by actually leaving the 24 hour day, and sleeping when I get tired (which works out to be about 25.5 hour days). This does lead to jet-lag like effects when I need to work around schedules, but avoids alot of time idling awake in bed.
The wild misuse of "26-Hour Day" here would make me question doing business with this person. So many startup folk who have made a good first impression on me have blogs full of clangers like this, which should have been a clue as to problems of comprehension and honesty I would experience with them down the line.
Like I said in the 3rd paragraph of the post. "Of course, I'm not speaking literally."
I titled this post in this way because it really does make you feel like the day is extended by two more hours. Not literally, I'm taking about psychologically, which is often just as valuable.
I titled this post in this way because it really does make you feel like the day is extended by two more hours. Not literally, I'm taking about psychologically, which is often just as valuable.
You did, and I think this submission found me in a mean mood. For people who have read about polyphasic sleep etc. the phrase "26-Hour Day" has an intuitive meaning which led to disappointment on clicking to the article.
I stand by my point about entrepreneurs' blogs providing clues to their character, but I retract the judgement on your use of "26-Hour Day". You could have been clearer in the title rather than waiting until the third paragraph, but then there is a reason you seller types are what you are: you're good at hooking people in; after all, you got me to read the article.
I stand by my point about entrepreneurs' blogs providing clues to their character, but I retract the judgement on your use of "26-Hour Day". You could have been clearer in the title rather than waiting until the third paragraph, but then there is a reason you seller types are what you are: you're good at hooking people in; after all, you got me to read the article.
Damn... I was expecting something along the lines of timecube2013 or something revolutionary. Something that most scientists wouldn't understand. Something only Andrew Dumont would understand. :/
I can't talk about my time machine, sadly. :)
Not always an option but many employers support them.. If you can get a high quality 20 minute nap in the middle of the day, you could cut some time from your overnight sleep.
How about 28 hour day?
http://www.limedaring.com/hacking-your-week-the-28-hour-day/
http://www.limedaring.com/hacking-your-week-the-28-hour-day/
If you use a 2 week schedule, you can make it a 26 hour day. Arranging a nice schedule is harder, but it is possible.
I experimented a lot with sleep when I was younger. 26 hour days, 28 hour days, uberman. Now that I'm middle aged, I have no problems with sleep. I attribute this to several changes I made:
1) stopping my caffeine habit
2) no screen time before bed. reading fiction on a phone is OK, but no more than that.
3) getting old made waking up early a lot easier
4) My uberman experimentation gave me the ability of an infantry man to fall asleep quickly whenever and wherever I want
I experimented a lot with sleep when I was younger. 26 hour days, 28 hour days, uberman. Now that I'm middle aged, I have no problems with sleep. I attribute this to several changes I made:
1) stopping my caffeine habit
2) no screen time before bed. reading fiction on a phone is OK, but no more than that.
3) getting old made waking up early a lot easier
4) My uberman experimentation gave me the ability of an infantry man to fall asleep quickly whenever and wherever I want
I thought you would cite http://xkcd.com/320/, but alright.
> 8:30 - HOLY HELL, FREE BLOCK
He has only 1 hour a day of "free time"? Surely that can't be in anyway normal.
He has only 1 hour a day of "free time"? Surely that can't be in anyway normal.
Don't you eat anything before going to the gym?
I've tried going with and without food before the gym, but settled on without. I feel more alert and less sluggish when I don't eat before working out.
If you're strength training, you may run into issues though.
If you're strength training, you may run into issues though.
doing exercise on 5:15am does harm to health, doesn't it?
If you're completely out of shape I guess I wouldn't recommend setting your alarm at 5:15 AM to commence vigorous jumping jacks.
But the generalisation that therefore 5:15 am workouts are detrimental to health is ludicrous.
But the generalisation that therefore 5:15 am workouts are detrimental to health is ludicrous.
I haven't heard anything that suggests that. In fact, most medical professionals suggest a morning workout for increased energy and better sleep patterns.
I'm guessing any circadian rhythms would adjust with your new waking up/exercise schedule making it no different to your body to exercise that early.
I've hacked this productivity schedule bit quite a lot, for me the biggest time sink has always been commute time. While I'm working from home, that is when I'm most productive.
Needless to say the author's advice is correct. Waking up early helps. And sometimes helps a lot. If you absolutely want to work like a machine. Then there is a schedule that has worked for me.
If you notice an another thing there is no such a term like meetings in the whole schedule.
Some more tweaks/extensions to this exercise. Every Saturday I sit down to review how the past week went. I also put down clearly defined measurable goals which I want to achieve by next Saturday. These tasks are generally aligned to help me achieve monthly and yearly goals.
The 5 years goals, and decade goals are something of a different thing. Generally mine are financial goals. And are easy to keep a track of.
Now given I absolutely must have to travel many times in the week to office. And inevitable meetings creep in, this schedule doable only once or twice a week.
Needless to say the author's advice is correct. Waking up early helps. And sometimes helps a lot. If you absolutely want to work like a machine. Then there is a schedule that has worked for me.
3 AM - Wake up, tend to hygiene. Excercise etc
4 AM - Start Work.
9 AM - Break fast/Newspaper/News
10 AM - Continue Work.
2 PM - Lunch
3 PM - Continue Work.
8 PM - Dinner.
8:45 PM - Review current days work, plan for tomorrow.
9 PM - Sleep.
If you notice an another thing there is no such a term like meetings in the whole schedule.
Some more tweaks/extensions to this exercise. Every Saturday I sit down to review how the past week went. I also put down clearly defined measurable goals which I want to achieve by next Saturday. These tasks are generally aligned to help me achieve monthly and yearly goals.
The 5 years goals, and decade goals are something of a different thing. Generally mine are financial goals. And are easy to keep a track of.
Now given I absolutely must have to travel many times in the week to office. And inevitable meetings creep in, this schedule doable only once or twice a week.
Using the word hacked to describe this irks me. A hack implies some visceral and ingrained knowledge that shouldn't be discernable from magic to the uninitiated.
This is a timetable. It's shiny and all, but it's not as though I'm staring blankly at it trying to work out how you achieved such perfection.
This is a timetable. It's shiny and all, but it's not as though I'm staring blankly at it trying to work out how you achieved such perfection.
No, it is a hack.
'Time table' you see is a finished product of months of various schedule attempts, taking feedback, course correcting and that cycle.
Just because the it comes packed, it doesn't mean some one did in one monolithic strike.
'Time table' you see is a finished product of months of various schedule attempts, taking feedback, course correcting and that cycle.
Just because the it comes packed, it doesn't mean some one did in one monolithic strike.
My point isn't that I could smash this out in an afternoon (Noone could, obviously. Doing something like this takes tons of trial and error).
My point was just that, it's almost entirely trial and error. This isn't the culmination of a drastic change in our understanding of sleep cycles and time allocation, it's just something that works for this guy.
I just think it's blown out of proportion, all things considered.
My point was just that, it's almost entirely trial and error. This isn't the culmination of a drastic change in our understanding of sleep cycles and time allocation, it's just something that works for this guy.
I just think it's blown out of proportion, all things considered.
I'm broadly with you on this and upvoted both your comments, but I don't feel quite strongly enough to call him out. I find more and more that "hack" is used figuratively not only in the way you describe but also in the "hacking down a tree" or "hack writer" sense. Before everyone rushes in and says "this is Hacker News, we all know which version we mean", I'd like to point out how often the phrase "hacked together" is used to describe work in our field done in a somewhat scrappy or unpolished fashion that nevertheless gets the job done. If I'm to give him the benefit of the doubt, I think "I've hacked this productivity schedule quite a lot" is just about alright, but boldly describing it as "a hack" is a little too far.
A 3am wake up time is crazy impressive, puts my 5am wake up to shame. Really like the recommendation of the review in the evenings.
I too have found that when I don't review and clearly lay out what I'd like to accomplish that day (or week), I tend to work just to work -- another post in and of itself. :)
I too have found that when I don't review and clearly lay out what I'd like to accomplish that day (or week), I tend to work just to work -- another post in and of itself. :)
What about rest and recreation ?
Machines don't need either :)
I'm guessing that's not his schedule 7 days a week. I think that's just the ideal productivity schedule.
I'm guessing that's not his schedule 7 days a week. I think that's just the ideal productivity schedule.
Well I did say, I do it just once or twice a week.
Though I would like to make it a trend(Note to Self: That's impossible)
Though I would like to make it a trend(Note to Self: That's impossible)
Or you could wake up at the same time and not answer emails in the morning to achieve the same effect (since it's context switching that you're trying to avoid).
Also, I fail to see how this makes it a 26-Hour Day.
Also, I fail to see how this makes it a 26-Hour Day.
tldr; I realized I am more productive when not interrupted during tasks that require thinking (specifically, ignoring phone calls and emails while working).
I thought this was going to be about an actual 26 hour day, which is entirely possible (and a very interesting subject).. but don't even think about maintaining a 26 hour schedule in 24 hours of time.