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 making my employees use this system I have to use it too .  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 .  (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 .  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)

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:

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.

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, on Wednesday Aug. 24 at 1pm (EST) and Wednesday Aug. 31 at 1pm EST.   The goal is to have an educational experience that will be both supportive and challenging, by means of a combination of presentations, discussions, sharing, and feedback.

Cost is $47 including the ebook.  Register from here.

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 gentle exercise on alternate days (walking in the park works well);

I am drinking about a gallon of fresh-squeezed vegetable juice every 3 days (carrot, cucumber, watermelon, celeri, and kale), also fresh orange juice, with lots of steamed vegetable meals and high-quality protein (fresh-caught fish and australian organic beef).  I also have an addiction to Amy & Brian’s coconut milk (17 ounce cans naturally sweet), it’s my reward for doing the yoga ;).   Last, I have cut the coffee but am allowing black tea (within reason) for now.

Here is my planned sleep schedule – also in line with my objective of increasing productivity and overall well-being as a priority over minimizing sleep time:

• 10pm-1am:  3 hours – Core sleep
• 1-5am: 4 hours – Work shift 1
• 5-8am: Bikram, transport and shower.  Juice meals
• 8-10am: 2 hrs – Nap 1
• 10-2pm: 4 hours – Work shift 2
• 2-2:30pm: 1/2 hour Lunch (prepared evening before)
• 2:30-4:30pm: 2 hrs – Nap 2
• 4:30-9pm: Free time: cook, relax
• 9pm Prepare for bed (reading, relaxation)

Total sleep is 7 hours, and the goal is two hyper-focused work-periods of 4 hours each in tandem with a high-level of physical and emotional self-care.  This is a difficult task for me.   On weekends work shifts are abandoned (later we’ll do study time, it’s the summer here now) and sleep is at will.

Last but not least some very exciting news – I am teaming up with Daniel Ternes of Sleep Hack Dojo to start a polyphasic sleep coaching group.  See the next post.

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 is that polyphasic sleep is an extremely valuable tool for increasing productivity, happiness and overall quality of life — not to mention being the greatest consciousness experiment that anyone could have designed.  Moreover, unlike most other writers on this topic, I have found a way to do it that doesn’t require weeks of misery,  see About this site.

If you enjoy I hope you will connect, subscribe or comment.

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 wish, and it’s too early to share.  But never fear, I will share everything later, including my crazy experiments with polyphasic sleep, the ups and downs of being an internet information marketer, and the joys and challenges of marriage and family life.  Suffice to say that as spring has returned to Philadelphia, a kind of fog has lifted from me, and I have realized how unhappy I have been lately, and that realization has been very freeing, as it gives the opportunity for real creative action to emerge (as opposed to compulsive reaction).  And so I am once again on a great creative roll. 

Continue reading this post at Marc’s Life and Travels blog…

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.  For that purpose, it seems to be working well as I have had an amazing week.  I have two major projects going right now in addition to my regular teaching schedule, as told on my personal blog, any of which could be a full-time job, plus a fourth project, that is managing me, which could also be a full-time ;).  So, I can’t complain about productivity.  I am a bit concerned about the condition of my soul as told in previous article, but just trying to be more conscious right now and seeing what happens.  Also going to 12-step meetings, I am becoming really fond of an international Workaholics Anonymous meeting that happens via voice-chat. 

I found this article this morning on raw foods and green juicing and the benefits of Systematic undereating that also inspired me.  I am very drawn to this kind of extreme experiment, I suspect most polyphasic sleepers are.  To note that Steve Pavlina is a raw foodist, and possibly the reason for his success with Uberman.  I think I have enough going right now to not try and add Uberman to the mix, but I am fascinated by it, and at some point I know I am going to want to try it.  Next year, as soon as I finish my big project, I want to try some diet experiments.  Maybe even sooner, we’ll see.

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 polyphasic plan or idea now since March, almost 6 months – that is very unlike me!  Although I have not been polyphasic every day – in fact it’s been the exception rather than the rule – it’s been a consistent and stubborn notion of mine for that entire time.  How sweet  that it is finally coming to fruition.

And what is just as important is the lessons learned.  It has confirmed my original hypothesis, which is that to be successful with polyphasic sleep you need to be willing to examine (and question) the totality of your life. This includes the overall quality of your life, your current level of success, your diet and health and self-care regimen, your current performance management system and whether it’s working or not, etc., etc.

And I return also to my original assertion: that polyphasic sleep remains one of the greatest consciousness experiment (developmental experiences) that anyone can do alone.  It doesn’t require you travel to India, attend any expensive seminar or purchase any programs, or even leave your house.  All you need is a bed and an office (and maybe a garage and a kitchen, that you can tidy-up when you are too hung-over from lack of sleep to do anything else ;).  Life doesn’t get much simpler than that.

However if your life is in crisis, it’s unlikely to work.  It’s a very rare individual who can successfully adapt to polyphasic in the midst of a major depression – Puredoxyk is one, but this is very rare.  Back in February, when my marriage was in shambles, my business struggling, ,my health challenged, and my coffee addiction out-of-control, there was no way I could have succeeded.  But the idea was planted – and it’s been a very persistent idea, us polyphasers are a strange blend of stubbornness and obsession, which is probably not a bad thing ;).

And also as I had mentioned in an earlier post, polyphasic sleep is likely to activate any latent addictions or addictive tendencies that you might have.  I am not talking about heavy-duty chemical addictions, or even of the ordinary (garden-variety) addictions that most of us deal with around things like sex, relationships or co-dependency, workaholism, money etc – I am talking about the fundamental “addiction” of the human condition, which is the attempt to control or manipulate our environment to meet our needs and avoid pain.  This of course is natural and healthy to a degree – many great works were accomplished out of that motive – but there is a cost to it as well.  See this powerful article by Waking Down in Mutuality teacher Ted Strauss.  A life well-lived is not just about performance, overcoming obstacles and being productive members of society.  It’s also about our soul, our spiritual condition, our relationship to our creator.

The culmination of this epic inquiry has been the creation of my main site and passion business Lifestyle Design School, which is a performance management system for internet marketers and other work-at-home professionals.  Check it out.

I know people are reading this (from my stats), so if you like what you are hearing, please comment, retweet, subscribe (top right), or write to me at marc.

Blessings on your journey,

Marc

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 that regard (she adapted well despite a major depression and sleep difficulties going on at the time).  This confirms my belief that a good night’s sleep requires peace of mind. 

Things are starting to look up, for several reasons.  My marriage has straightened out.  My internet business, WordPress Academy, is successful, and I have several other very interesting business opportunities.  I am gradually relaxing into the realization / certainty that it’s not possible for a smart and determined person to NOT make money in my sector, which is internet marketing, social media and product development.  I am actually creating a whole team to support these businesses, of people who are working for equity for the most part, and this is super-fun.  I am also engaging deeply with a transformational organization and a business network called Flawless Living, which is meeting my needs for personal transformation and affiliation, my core mission. 

So it’s not surprising that with all these exciting events, the quality of my sleep is improving.

I am not doing Everyman in any kind of rigorous way, and this seems to be working for me.  I am generally “intending” to get up around 3am and work for 3 hours, and I work a second shift of 3-4 hours from 10am to 1 or 2, followed by my main nap – but if I am too tired or not feeling well, I sleep in.  I do try and get to the gym every day, but that also I don’t force myself.  I have discovered that if I work the evening before (for instance I teach some evenings), I won’t get up for the first shift.  This occurred as something of an “Aha” experience – I don’t WANT TO work at night and be polyphasic, as I don’t really want to work more than 6-7 hours in a day – and the fact that this hadn’t been obvious to me from the beginning confirmed my workaholism, my lack of judgment and perspectives on issues of time-management. 

6 or 7 hours of work per day may not seem like a lot of work, but it is for me (especially highly focused creative work, which it is), and it leaves me all afternoon and evening free, which was my goal from the beginning.  To say I am delighted is an understatement.  I did have to give up coffee entirely, but I can tolerate (need?) one cup of tea in the early morning when I start my first shift.  I make a delicious Chai: black tea boiled in water, crushed green cardamon (buy it at any Indian grocery), milk and honey.  It gets me very high, and generally works.

I am going to update the rest of the content for this blog shortly as well.  This is actually my most popular blog, getting close to 700 unique monthly visits from organic search alone, and I am still pondering whether I can put this traffic to any use.  I am envisioning myself developing a series of web businesses, in partnership with others in many different areas, so this is a very interesting exploration for me. 

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 amount of personal email and writing (the thing that is most fun for me)
• 6-8am: Exercise and breakfast
• 8-9am: Sleep, or meditate/relaxation exercises
• 9am-1pm: Work: billable hours and general admin
• 1pm: Eat
• 1:30-3:30pm (or whatever): sleep until I am rested
• 4pm onwards – rest of my day as per my pleasure – but hopefully to include some music practice and reading for pleasure
• 9pm – in bed, winding down (spiritual reading and/or listening to music)
• 10pm-2am: sleep

This adds up to 7-8 hours of sleep or relaxation.  I am currently sleeping a lot more than this, so this would be a major breakthrough, in addition to the 8 hours of focused work and intellectual effort. 

I want to add, that it’s kind of new to me to publish a daily intimate journal for anyone on the web to see — hopefully not too many of my friends and business associates ;-).  I write a lot on my personal blog, and very revealing stuff, but only on about a monthly or bimonthly frequency.  This is different, more “raw” and in-the-moment, we’ll see if it works…