I’ve been thinking a lot recently about my “ideal day” in terms of the ebb and flow of work. I’m at a new contract location which has required me to change my rhythms, and the initial lack of “flow” was definitely noticeable.
My ideal workday would go something like this:
| 6:00 AM – 6:30 AM | Check e-mail, put out fires, RSS |
| 6:30 – 7:00 | Get ready for work |
| 7:30 – 9:30 | First burst of programming |
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Coffee / diversion away from keyboard |
| 10:00 – 12:00 | Second burst of programming |
| 12:00 – 2:00 | Lunch, relax, errands |
| 2:00 – 4:30 | Third burst of programming |
| 4:30 – 8:00 | Home, personal and family time |
| 8:00 – 9:30 | Catch up on e-mail, light R&D, bugfix |
Total work time: 8.5 hours
Total programming time: 6.5 hours
The longest heads-down session in this scenario is 2.5 hours, which is about as long as I can concentrate in one sitting. I find the frequent changes pleasant and refreshing.
How about you? What’s your ideal work day?

