Time-tracking solved, and other random thoughts about polyphasic sleep

by Marc on November 22, 2011

In my previous post I talked about how I solved my sleep-tracking and work-time tracking problem using an amazing Android App that is running as a 24-hour timer.  The problem this week got more complex as I am running a new project management system at work called ActiveCollab (amazing software btw) that comes with its own Windows desktop timer, and since I am imagemaking my employees use this system I have to use it too Winking smile.  However I am finding it very easy to play with both – I track my personal time through Android and work time through ActiveCollab quite easily by checking out from the Android app and checking in to ActiveCollab at the beginning of my day.  The ActiveCollab timer looks like on the right, and I very easily switch active tasks during the day by activating a particular timer, while the total cumulates at the bottom of the app.  Sweet.

I am back on a (unofficial) polyphasic regime today, not so much by choice but by circumstances… I woke up early (2am) and chose to work a few hours before my 5am Bikram Yoga.  Strange to say but I have been kind of obsessed with polyphasic sleep for almost 3 years now, despite the fact that I have never successfully been on it for more than a week.  I dream of the day that I can try Uberman, but right now (and for the foreseeable future) my work obligations are too demanding to put myself at risk in that way.  I am fascinated by the altered-state inducing character of it, in addition of course to the… ummm… “Uberman” idea Winking smile.  (who would not get a kick out of taking control of their biological rhythm, if such a thing were possible?).  So the Uberman needs to wait, but I am in an ideal position right now to do another Everyman attempt (my modified form that is, that I believe could create a very rapid and painless adaptation). 

So I may be putting this rather compelling idea to the test in the next few weeks.  As always, I am my worst enemy, in terms of semi-addicted (caffeine) and other compulsive behaviour (workaholism).  However I haven’t given up yet Winking smile.  Particularly as the next 6 weeks I am in an intense product development cycle at work (research and writing) that is the most fun thing I could be doing with my time (as per my other theory that happiness and well-being are the best predictor of polyphasic success)

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A superior sleep-tracking and time-tracking app

by Marc on November 14, 2011

Tracking time, and especially sleep time, is a fundamental tool for anyone doing polyphasic of course – and indeed for anyone wanting to track and  manage their productivity  (which is my fundamental motive).  I had previously been doing this on a calculated spreadsheet  but this required a lot of attention and was not very accurate.  As a result I wasn’t tracking much, it was just too much work.

Yesterday I found an amazing free Android app called Time Recording – Timesheet App,  by DynamicG.  It’s designed for managing billable hours in a contract situation but also works perfectly as a 24-hour activity timer.  Here is a screenshot:

image

What you do is create your task categories (I use something similar to what I did on the spreadsheet, but prefix with two-numeral category number in order for it to sort correctly, e.g. “01 Sleep”), then just “Check In” and let the timer run continuously (it times even with the phone is off).  Then when I start a new task I just select “Switch task” which causes it to complete the previous time entry and start a new one.  At the end of the week I export the report to my mail, then to Excel.  Other than a few adjustments for the two overnight shifts, I get my weekly time report for all categories.

Beautiful.  And free.

Apparently this is a very popular requirement (time-tracking for employees or contractors), and there are a lot of programs that do that.  Most of the desktop programs require a monthly fee (see Timr, Xpert Timer and Easy Time Tracking ), but obviously desktop program won’t help you track sleep.  There is another good paid Android app (one-time fee) called Time Tracker.  However the free app works great for me. Smile

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Polyphasic sleep coaching program starts Wednesday Sept. 7; Partnership with Sleep Hack Dojo

August 1, 2011

I am very pleased to announce the beginning of enrollment in a new polyphasic sleep coaching group led by Daniel Paul of Sleep Hack Dojo and myself. Registration details for the course The course starts Wednesday Sept. 7 at 1pm EST (New York time) and goes for 10 weeks. There will two free intro calls, [...]

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Everyman-2 attempt: Preparation (Day –7)

August 1, 2011

In keeping with my idea that one should not start a polyphasic sleep attempt either exhausted, depressed, or manic, I am cutting my work schedule to 4 hours a day and taking very good care of myself nutritionally and emotionally this week.  I am doing Bikram Yoga at 5:30am every two days with a more [...]

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New to Polyphasic and Everyman sleep?

July 1, 2011

This is a site about the psychology and motivational aspects of polyphasic sleep, particulary the Everyman sleep schedule that I have adopted (on and off) for close to two years. If this is all new to you start with What is polyphasic sleep and then check out Polyphasic sleep links and resources. My overall thesis [...]

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Why I can’t tell it all (and how Brendon Burchard changed my life)

March 19, 2011

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments about my last post, How I rebooted my life with Google and Android.  I had promised a major check-in this month, and indeed there are big changes afoot in all areas (business, personal and relational), but as often happens things are taking longer to manifest than I would [...]

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Continuing success on modified Everyman

October 19, 2010

Having continued success on my modified Everyman Sleep for the last few weeks now (9pm-2am + scattered naps) but not attempting anything rigorous.  As I explain in the intro to this site my goal is not to squeeze every waking minute out of the day but to feel great and be as productive as possible.  [...]

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Polyphasic sleep, consciousness development, and addiction – Part 2

September 28, 2010

I am back on my modified Everyman schedule for the last few days, and I am particularly euphoric today because it’s 8am and I more-or-less finished my work for the day.  I am feeling fabulous and getting a lot done.  What a life ;). It’s difficult to believe that I have been following the same [...]

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Back on the modified Everyman since 3 days

August 11, 2010

Fabulous news – I have been back on my modified Everyman program since August 8.  I haven’t been able to keep it up since March, due to fairly severe work- and relational-stress.  Polyphasic simply does not work well, as a rule, in difficult personal situations.  I think PureDoxyk’s adaptation to Uberman is extremely unusual in [...]

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Starting modified Everyman this Monday 3/15

March 11, 2010

I am still recovering from a workaholic binge early this week (which was very instructive), but I am intending to start a modified Everyman schedule from Monday 3/15.  My schedule to look like: 2-6am: Work: mostly pure research and study (the thing that is the most difficult for me to fit in), plus a limited [...]

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