Time management

Recorded Time, Accumulated Effort: A Four-Year PhD Journey RECAP 😁

-The Power of Accumulated Time-
Days may seem insignificant alone, but when stacked, they become a force. When effort is recorded on paper, its weight is undeniable.
Throughout my PhD, I documented everything—daily plans, experiments, reflections—until my notes grew as thick as a coffee cup. My mornings began between 4:00 and 5:00 AM, fueled by McDonald’s coffee or Monster Energy drink. These early hours, my peak focus time, were dedicated to research, experiments, and paper reading. I repeated this for years. Time accumulated, and so did results.

-The Power of Prioritization and Simplicity-
Time and energy are limited. If spread too thin, they lose impact. To be effective, I had two choices: reduce tasks or extend available time. The key was clear priorities.
For the past two years, I balanced research, writing, experiments, and data analysis—while also caring for my wife and newborn. To stay productive, I removed distractions, cut unnecessary tasks, and focused only on essentials. By meticulously planning and tracking progress, I distinguished high-value work from time-draining tasks, optimizing my efficiency.

-Designing My Days Through Habits and Systems-
I structured my days like a system, managing time with a single binder. When habits become routine, the brain and body align. The brain, like a well-tuned factory, works best on a schedule.
Each morning, I followed the same cycle—research, experiments, writing. The key to transformation is consistency. I made a daily promise to dedicate time to my most important work and protected that commitment. Minimizing distractions and maintaining deep focus allowed my research to flourish.

-Control Time, Control Life-
Early mornings are powerful. Studies show that workers are interrupted every 11 minutes and spend a third of their day regaining focus. But in the morning, distractions are minimal.
These quiet hours became the foundation of my PhD work. The difference between success and stagnation often comes down to habits—habits no one can take away from you. Controlling my time meant taking control of my life.

-Looking Back After Four Years-
The journey was never easy, but daily discipline—recording, planning, executing—compounded into something meaningful.
Moving forward, I will keep shaping my future, expanding my research, and striving for greater goals. Time never betrays those who invest in it. I will keep building, one moment at a time. 👍

I have started to use this planner (called 3P binder) from 2014 after reading many books during my military services. For your information, 3P Binder is a patented time-management and self-leadership planner system developed in Korea, featuring the following characteristics: A system that integrates various aspects of personal management—including goal setting, time management, reading, work, study, health, and knowledge management—into a single binder.