GON Reader Question
"I try to estimate how long each activity will take in order not to squeeze too much into the schedule for each day. The problem is that many of the things which are unpleasant or complicated take much longer than I estimated. How do I learn to make more realistic estimations?"
-- Judi
Maria Responds:
Judi, you are definitely not alone in this. Many people try to plan their day with good intentions, only to find that the tasks they expected to take twenty minutes somehow stretch into forty-five. It can feel frustrating, especially when your goal is simply to create a manageable schedule and avoid feeling
rushed.
One reason this happens is that we often estimate tasks based on the best-case scenario. We imagine everything going smoothly: the computer loads quickly, the paperwork is easy to find, the phone doesn’t ring, and nothing interrupts us.
But in real life, small delays happen all the time. A missing document, a quick question from a family member, or even the need to pause and think something through can easily add extra time.
Another factor is that unpleasant or complicated tasks tend to take longer because our brains resist them a little. When we’re doing something we enjoy, time seems to move quickly. When we’re working on something tedious, confusing, or emotionally draining, we slow down, double-check things, or take short mental breaks without even realizing it.
A simple way to start improving your estimates is to begin tracking a few tasks. For a week or two, casually note how long certain activities actually take. You don’t need to track everything...just a handful of common tasks like paying bills, responding to email, cleaning a room, or running errands. Many people are surprised to discover that the real time is quite different from what they imagined.
Once you have a better sense of reality, build a small "buffer" into your schedule. If something usually takes thirty minutes, allow forty-five. If a project might take an hour, give it ninety minutes. This extra cushion keeps your day from feeling rushed and leaves space for the unexpected.
You can also separate complicated tasks into smaller steps when estimating time. Instead of writing "organize the closet," you might list: sort shoes, hang clothing, review accessories, and clear the floor. Each small piece is easier to estimate and much less overwhelming to complete.
And finally, give yourself permission to adjust. Good scheduling is not about getting everything perfect the first time. It’s about learning what works for you and gradually refining your approach.
Over time, you’ll develop a better feel for how long things truly take. And when your schedule becomes a little
more realistic, your days will feel calmer and far less crowded.
On another note...
Whether I’m traveling, driving, walking, doing things around the house, or relaxing with a chapter before bed, audiobooks fit naturally into parts of my day when reading a physical book isn’t practical. Sometimes it’s simply a nice way to give my eyes a break and enjoy a story in a different way. If you’ve been curious about audiobooks, this might be the perfect time to give Audible a try.
