HAVE YOU SEEN MY TIME?
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE VISUALIZATION OF FOCUSED AND UNFOCUSED TIME USE
‘TIME GOES, YOU SAY? AH NO! ALAS, TIME STAYS, WE GO.’ (HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON)
As a society, we are engaged in a constant pursuit to be more productive. For the most part, this is a good thing. We want to work smarter. We crave efficiency. ‘Time seems scarce. To make the most of it, we expand the boundaries of usable time; pushing our work and play into hours traditionally reserved for sleep.’ (Smithsonian, 2006) People often say they feel like there ‘aren’t enough hours in a day’, this project is not only about managing time, but is also concerned with shifting the common perception of the lack of time. Time is a constant we cannot change, no one person has any longer than 24 hours in their day. The mapping and visualization of time can help people better understand their work habits and focus on the ways in which they utilize their time. This enables them to visualize emerging patterns and to make the most with the time they do have.
1.0 1.0 THE THE PROJECT PROJECT
‘TIME SEEMS SCARCE. TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT, WE EXPAND THE BOUNDARIES OF USABLE TIME; PUSHING OUR WORK AND PLAY INTO HOURS TRADITIONALLY RESERVED FOR SLEEP.’
Time is our most precious commodity, and
habits of a design student who spends long
and committed. Inputting information in
productivity tools help us spend it more
hours at the computer. This conceptual
weeks before may seem like great time
wisely. This project intends to become a
system is designed to be used by anyone
management, but if your systems are not
tool of visualization. Visualization is the
wanting to visualize their time use, and to
an integral part of your daily routine, tasks
first step to knowing an object. (Ast, 2006)
help understand what influences working
will get forgotten and planning time will
habits and processes. The good, the bad &
be wasted. It is demonstrated that most
To be a successful student, it is important
the ugly. This report will also discuss and
students spend around 10 minutes a day
to learn to manage your time and effort.
define distractions, multitasking, working
planning their time, mostly in the form of
Finding the right balance between studies,
and communication time.
to do lists or digital planning devices like
work and socialising is always a challenge
Google Calendar or iCal.
for students, especially those who are not
On the flip side of this sheet you will
used to living independently and managing
find a copy of the planned schedule and
However, 59% of students surveyed still
their own time and resources. This case
agenda for the case study day. A schedule
consider their time management practice
study is a working day in the life of a
can be defined as a plan for carrying out
as poor or average. A whopping 90% of
typical design student. Analysis of Internet
a process or procedure, giving lists of
those surveyed believed a more engaging
history, cell phone data, instant messaging
intended events and times.
time management system would improve
records, screen shots, email records and
their working habits. This conceptual time
diary keeping were utilised to create a
Schedules, calendars, and to do lists help
system for the visualization of time use.
organize people to make sure nothing is
In this report you will find analysis of the
forgotten and that everything gets done on
information obtained during this case
time. However, schedules and agendas are
study and information about the working
only effective if you are consistent, specific
visualization system intends to do just that.
SCHEDULED DAY
FOCUSED TIME
2.0
During the course of this study, 448 minutes were spent on focused tasks. Focused tasks are defined as activity that was on the planned agenda or schedule for the time period. This time total is made up of 107 minutes of focused communication including instant messaging, social media and email messaging. This time also includes 341 minutes of focused work time which consists of work on current projects, relevant research and working critique.
UNFOCUSED TIME During the course of this study, 207 minutes were spent on unfocused tasks. Unfocused work time is defined as activity that is not related to the planned tasks for the time period. This time total is made up of 160 minutes of unfocused communication including instant messaging, social media and email programs. This time also includes 147 minutes of unfocused work time which consists of work on personal projects, all irrelevant research and procrastination.
MISCELLANEOUS FOCUSED COMMUNICATION FOCUSED WORKING UNFOCUSED COMMUNICATION UNFOCUSED WORKING PHYSICAL DISTRACTION DIGITAL DISTRACTION
MISCELLANEOUS This time includes planned and unplanned health, exercise, entertainment, social, transport, food and drink. This time is important in achieving a well balanced daily time plan and should make take up a small section of your day in the morning, at lunch time and in the evening. This time is mainly unrelated to working time and could be classified as ‘free time’, if this time begins to take up large chunks of focused time, you could have a problem.
DISTRACTIONS
MULTITASKING
During the course of this study, there were
During the course of this study, 152
23 recorded distractions. A distraction is
minutes were spent multitasking.
defined as an interruption to an activity that
Multitasking is defined as the
prevents someone from giving full attention
simultaneous execution of more than
to something.
one program or task by a single person.
Distractions can include (but are not limited
People are more likely to have multiple
to) text messages, emails that are not part
documents open at once than to focus
of focused communication, coffee spills,
on one single task. Multitasking is shown
television, people speaking, open programs
on the visualization as two smaller
that divert your attention (for example
strips running side by side. Focused
Skype or Tweetdeck), telephone calls and
communication and focused work time
disruptions by pets.
were most often multitasked in this study.
00:00 01:00
3.0 3.0 OVERVIEW 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 05
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
50
45
55
00
05
HAVE YOU SEEN MY TIME?
15
10
40
DIGITAL DISTRACTION
PHYSICAL DISTRACTION
UNFOCUSED WORKING
UNFOCUSED COMMUNICATION
FOCUSED WORKING
35
FOCUSED COMMUNICATION 23:00 00:00
30 EACH FULL RING REPRESENTS 1 HOUR
EACH SEGMENT REPRESENTS 5 MINUTES
25
MISCELLANEOUS
20
4.0 11:11 ADOBE INDESIGN + UNFOCUSED WEB SURFING
11:00 ADOBE INDESIGN + FOCUSED CRITIQUE
448 MINUTES SPENT DOING FOCUSED TASKS ‘56% MULTITASK WHILE DOING HOME WORK ON AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT DEVICES’ (KAISER GENERATION M2 STUDY 2010)
‘THANKS TO THE INTERNET, STUDENTS SAY, FACTS ARE AT THEIR FINGERTIPS. IF THEY GET STUCK, HELP IS ONLY AN INSTANT MESSAGE AWAY.’ (ARATANI, 2007)
11:38 FOCUSED EMAILING + INSTANT MESSAGING
11:46 FOCUSED RESEARCH + FOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
4.0 FOCUSED TIME
During the course of this working day case study, 448 minutes were spent on focused tasks. Focused tasks are defined as activity that was on the planned agenda or schedule for the time period. This time total is made up of 107 minutes of focused communication including instant messaging, social media and email. This time also includes 341 minutes of focused work time which consists of work on current projects, and relevant research.
50
45
55
00
05
FOCUSED
15
10
40
DIGITAL DISTRACTION
PHYSICAL DISTRACTION
UNFOCUSED WORKING
UNFOCUSED COMMUNICATION
FOCUSED WORKING
35
FOCUSED COMMUNICATION 23:00 00:00
30 EACH FULL RING REPRESENTS 1 HOUR
EACH SEGMENT REPRESENTS 5 MINUTES
25
MISCELLANEOUS
20
5.0
13:12 FACEBOOK
207 MINUTES SPENT DOING UNFOCUSED TASKS
‘SOME STUDENTS NEED THE TIME PRESSURE TO PRODUCE THEIR BEST WORK.’
‘OUR THOUGHTS CREATE OUR REALITY WHERE WE PUT OUR FOCUS IS THE DIRECTION WE TEND TO GO.’ (PETER MCWILLIAMS)
17:36 13:23 UNFOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING WHILE USING ADOBE INDESIGN
UNFOCUSED WEB BROWSING & PROCRASTINATION
13:44 UNFOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
5.0 UNFOCUSED TIME During the course of this working day case study, 207 minutes were spent on unfocused tasks. Unfocused work time is defined by activity that is not related to the planned tasks for the time period. This time total is made up of 160 minutes of unfocused communication including instant messaging, social media and email. This time also includes 147 minutes of unfocused work time which consists of work on personal projects, mindless research and procrastination.
50
45
55
00
05
UNFOCUSED
15
10
40
DIGITAL DISTRACTION
PHYSICAL DISTRACTION
UNFOCUSED WORKING
UNFOCUSED COMMUNICATION
FOCUSED WORKING
35
FOCUSED COMMUNICATION 23:00 00:00
30 EACH FULL RING REPRESENTS 1 HOUR
EACH SEGMENT REPRESENTS 5 MINUTES
25
MISCELLANEOUS
20
6.0 14:11 ADOBE INDESIGN + FOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
14:00
14:41
ADOBE INDESIGN + FOCUSED/UNFOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING [2 CONVERSATIONS]
UNFOCUSED RESEARCH/EMAILING + FOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
14:13
152 MINUTES SPENT MULTI TASKING
‘SHIFT ATTENTION RAPIDLY FROM ONE TASK TO ANOTHER.’ (OBLINGER, 2005)
UNFOCUSED RESEARCH + FOCUSED/UNFOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING [2 CONVERSATIONS]
‘TO BE TRULY CREATIVE, THERE HAS TO BE MENTAL SPACE FOR THE MIND TO WANDER.’
14:37 FACEBOOK + FOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
14:41 ADOBE INDESIGN + FOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
14:52 FOCUSED EMAIL + WORKING IN INDESIGN
14:21 ADOBE INDESIGN + FOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
6.0 MULTITASKING Recognising the ability of students to use
multitaskers, defined by the use of several
younger people do have one advantage
multiple technologies at once presents a
types of media i.e. Television, cell phone
though, they are able to work even when
new paradigm. Students currently studying
and computer use all at once. By 2005 this
surrounded by distractions, whereas older
at university can be referred to as the ‘M’
number had risen to 26% and continues
adults have problems blocking out outside
generation, or the multitasking generation.
to rise yearly. ‘Students that have been
interference and activity.
raised with computers as part of their daily ‘Often students may appear to be off
lives deal with information differently than
Young people are most likely to be using
task if viewed from the expectations of
previous generations. They’ve developed
other media when they are working.
a traditional teaching model’ (Prensky,
really hypertext minds, they leap around.’
Students are often found ‘using multiple
2001). It is demonstrated that when
(Prensky, 2001). ‘
programs at once, logging in to an instant
students are sitting at the computer
messaging program, listening to music,
‘studying’ they’re also doing something
The students who do it say multitasking
browsing Web pages while working on an
else 65% of the time. In 1999, 16%
makes them feel more productive and
assignment’ (Pew Internet and American
of teenagers said they were media
less stressed,’ (Aratani, 2007). These
Life Project).
50
45
55
00
05
MULTITASKING
15
10
40
DIGITAL DISTRACTION
PHYSICAL DISTRACTION
UNFOCUSED WORKING
UNFOCUSED COMMUNICATION
FOCUSED WORKING
35
FOCUSED COMMUNICATION 23:00 00:00
30 EACH FULL RING REPRESENTS 1 HOUR
EACH SEGMENT REPRESENTS 5 MINUTES
25
MISCELLANEOUS
20
7.0
10:17 COFFEE SPILL
24 DISTRACTIONS BOTH PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL NOUN
A THING THAT PREVENTS SOMEONE FROM GIVING FULL ATTENTION TO SOMETHING ELSE. (NEW OXFORD AMERICAN DICTIONARY)
‘HEAVY MEDIA MULTITASKERS ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO INTERFERENCE FROM IRRELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULI.’ (ARATANI, 2007)
10:29 EMAIL 10:30 EMAIL 10:31 TEXT 10:32 EMAIL
10:50 EMAIL
PHYSICAL DISTRACTIONS
DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS
For example; people, phone calls, hunger,
For example; instant messaging, email,
persistent pets & coffee spills.
Tweetdeck, Skype & other social media.
7.0 DISTRACTION In an era of mobile devices, instant
on (and on). Without realizing it, most of us
connectivity, and automated mailing lists
have entered the new era of what is called
and notifications, it is all too easy for
“reactionary workflow.” Rather than being
people to contact us. As a consequence,
proactive with our energy, we are acting
we live our lives just trying to keep
in response to what is incoming. Having
our heads above water. Our ability
relinquished control over our focus, it has
to prioritise and control our focus is
become harder and harder to embark on
crippled by an unyielding flow of incoming
our work with undivided attention.
communication: email, texts, tweets, facebook messages, phone calls, and so
50
45
55
00
05
DISTRACTIONS
15
10
40
DIGITAL DISTRACTION
PHYSICAL DISTRACTION
UNFOCUSED WORKING
UNFOCUSED COMMUNICATION
FOCUSED WORKING
35
FOCUSED COMMUNICATION 23:00 00:00
30 EACH FULL RING REPRESENTS 1 HOUR
EACH SEGMENT REPRESENTS 5 MINUTES
25
MISCELLANEOUS
20
8.0 341
MINUTES TOTAL OF FOCUSED WORKING
147
488 MINUTES TOTAL OF WORKING
MINUTES TOTAL OF UNFOCUSED WORKING
107
MINUTES TOTAL OF FOCUSED COMMUNICATION
160
267 MINUTES TOTAL OF COMMUNICATION
MINUTES TOTAL OF UNFOCUSED COMMUNICATION
9.0 08:17 FOCUSED CRITIQUE
08:22 FOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
08:00
08:12
08:18
UNFOCUSED WEB SURFING
MISCELLANEOUS FOCUSED COMMUNICATION FOCUSED WORKING UNFOCUSED COMMUNICATION UNFOCUSED WORKING PHYSICAL DISTRACTION DIGITAL DISTRACTION
08:32 EMAIL DISTRACTION
08:36
08:48
FOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING & FOCUSED RESEARCH
FOCUSED RESEARCH
10.0
17:00 FOCUSED WORKING IN ADOBE INDESIGN
17:00
17:16
UNFOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
EMAIL MESSAGE
MISCELLANEOUS FOCUSED COMMUNICATION FOCUSED WORKING UNFOCUSED COMMUNICATION UNFOCUSED WORKING PHYSICAL DISTRACTION DIGITAL DISTRACTION
17:45 GETTING READY FOR THE GYM
17:48 TEXT MESSAGE
17: 27 EMAIL + UNFOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
17:36 UNFOCUSED EMAIL
17:30
17:40
UNFOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
UNFOCUSED EMAIL + UNFOCUSED INSTANT MESSAGING
‘TO ME, IT’S NOTHING BUT CHAOS. BUT THESE KIDS? IT SEEMS TO WORK FOR THEM. IT’S HARD FOR ME TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM WHEN THIS IS GOING ON.’ (CASADY, 2007)