Vanderkam states that “Tranquility is the state of being serene and peaceful, of being free from agitation.” This is not to say that tranquil people will not have busy, hectic lives with no unexpected events which need immediate attention. On the contrary, everyone’s life can be a circus: trying to juggle family, work, school, professional development, hobbies, sports, home upkeep, and a myriad of other things.
In the spring of 2021, Laura Vanderkam conducted the “Tranquility by Tuesday” project. This was a 10-week study of 150 people’s use of time and the effects of how practical changes in participants’ lives impacted their behavior and attitudes. Participants discovered how to make sure there was time for the things that really mattered to them, while juggling all the rest of their commitments.
The study incorporated nine “rules,” one for each successive week. Some of the rules include: give yourself a bedtime; plan on Fridays; one big adventure, one little adventure; and create a back-up slot. Getting enough sleep to be able to function was the very first rule. (Solutions were given for those with newborns and small children.) Scheduling in a back-up slot gives you a time cushion for the unexpected tasks or pushed-up due dates that will occur. Planning “adventures” makes sure there are events that you want to do on your schedule, whether it is time for yourself or for your whole family. Participants’ feedback explains how each rule was implemented and the influence in time-perception and overall happiness in people’s lives.
This book invites you to look at time in a different way. We all have the same amount of time each day, so why not find ways to make it meaningful specifically for you! Insightful and thought-provoking, this book offers comforting ways to take control of a chaos-filled schedule, and add more happiness to your life.
- Kathy, Cataloging Librarian
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