Tracking Producing vs Consuming: Form Draft 01

Tracking Producing vs Consuming: Form Draft 01

Earlier I wrote about making June into a month of producing, with a corresponding commitment to track where the time is going. Instead of tracking time by task, though, I just want to know if I’m CONSUMING (that is, just taking in stuff) or PRODUCING (actually making or synthesizing something new).

Draft 1

Producing versus Consuming Tracking Form This form is based on the Emergent Task Timer (ETT), a form that I sometimes use to track time on a task-by-task basis. However, there are some key differences.

  • The ETT tracks multiple tasks over the course of a day. This form tracks whether time goes into consuming, producing, gathering, or maintaining over the course of a week.
  • At the end of the day, there’s a space to draw a mood face. If it’s a good day, then draw a happy face! If it sucked, then draw a frownie. Maybe a “meh” face as a straight line, if it’s been that kind of day.

I drew this from scratch over a couple hours at Starbucks, but already I seem some issues that I’ll want to address later. Most notably is the lack of space for recording context, and the need to actually record a 24-hour track to also catch sleeping schedule.

However, you can download this draft if you’re so-inclined:

5 Comments

  1. nkmcalli 10 years ago

    I LOVE IT!

  2. Benny 10 years ago

    Really like the concept; Do see the challenges you describe. Why did you choose the word Produce, instead of Create—suits (you) better. At least, that is what I think of when you present your work/findings: creations.

  3. Author
    Dave Seah 10 years ago

    Benny: Good question. I tend to avoid the word “create” because I associate it with free expression and a certain attitude, whereas “produce” has more of a connotation of “doing something on purpose, when you intend to do it, by a certain time”. I probably could lower my expectations of myself just by using the word “create” instead; using “produce” might be putting too much pressure on this :-)

  4. Benny 10 years ago

    ‘Free expression,’ sounds good to me ;-) — On the other hand I understand your point with ‘produce’. Nice to know, how you interpret these words. Each word has its (dis)advantages (also with ‘build’ and ‘develop’).