Fatherhood changed how I use my time

Having a son has made me obsessive about the return I get from my time. This isn't about cramming more work into the day. I'm trying to stop spending my attention on work that doesn't need it.

I was burnt out last week. Yesterday, I took my wife and son out while several agents worked through tasks I'd prepared earlier. I checked in from my phone when I needed to. I didn't spend the day at my desk.

I got to be with my family without putting all the work on hold.

How I divide the day

My current schedule has 5 phases:

• morning: 4 hours reviewing overnight work, developing with agents in the loop, improving the harness and planning longer tasks
• afternoon: agents work while I'm with my family, running errands or looking after the house
• late afternoon: I check the work, correct the direction and prepare the next tasks
• evening: agents continue while I spend time with my family or we go out
• late evening: after my family goes to sleep, I do another 4 hours of development, harness work and planning for the overnight run

This isn't 5 equal work blocks. The morning, late afternoon and late evening need my attention. During the afternoon and evening, the agents work without me sitting there to watch them.

The work has to be ready before I leave

Agents don't make unclear work clear. If the goal is vague or the checks are weak, they'll either stop or head in the wrong direction.

That means I spend more of my desk time preparing work properly. I define the outcome, set boundaries and add checks to the harness. I review the evidence when the agent finishes and correct mistakes before they spread.

This still needs judgement. I'm not handing over decisions or accepting whatever comes back. I'm separating the work that needs me from the work that can run on its own.

The routine has to serve my family

The benefit isn't just that more work gets done. I can be away from my desk without bringing everything to a halt.

I can use focused time for development, review and decisions. Agents can use the gaps for tasks that take time but don't need constant input. Once they have enough context and a clear way to check their work, watching them adds nothing.

I'm still working out whether this schedule is sustainable. Two 4-hour sessions and a late-afternoon check-in won't fit every day. Last week's burnout is a reason to be careful, not another problem to optimise.

I'm not sure what the exact schedule will look like in a few months. The separation is the part I want to keep. I'll spend my attention on work that needs my judgement and let the rest run without me.