Can time management be deconstructed using first principles?

Certainly, and by examining time management through first principles, you'll find that many of our conventional practices are actually unsustainable.

Let's first strip away the superficial layers of all "time management methods," such as the Pomodoro Technique, GTD (Getting Things Done), various apps, and so on. These are merely "techniques" (术). Let's seek the underlying "Tao" (道), which are the self-evident, irreducible "axioms."

Breaking it down, I believe there are several first principles regarding time management:

1. Time is constant, but energy fluctuates. This is the most crucial point. Everyone has an unchangeable 24 hours each day, not a minute more, not a minute less. You cannot "manage" time because it's beyond your control; it simply flows. However, your energy, attention, and cognitive abilities fluctuate like waves throughout the day. For example, you might be most creative in the morning, suitable for repetitive tasks in the afternoon, and just want to relax in the evening.

Therefore, based on this principle, the core of time management is not managing time, but managing your energy. You should schedule the most important tasks, those requiring deep thought and creativity, during your peak energy "golden hours." Instead of filling your schedule like Tetris, only to tackle difficult tasks during energy slumps, which leads to diminishing returns.

2. Your goal is not to "finish everything," but to "achieve the most important results." We often fall into the trap of seeking the satisfaction of "clearing our to-do list." But this only makes us "seem busy." First principles prompt you to ask a more fundamental question: "What is the ultimate purpose of doing this?" "Is there a more direct, more efficient way to achieve this outcome?"

From this principle, you will discover:

Many tasks are simply not worth doing. You should learn to actively abandon, cut down, and refuse. Instead of asking "When should I do this?", first ask "Do I really need to do this?"
80% of results often come from 20% of key tasks. Your primary task is to identify what that 20% is, and then invest your best resources (e.g., peak energy hours) into completing them. The remaining 80% of trivial matters should either be delegated, handled during fragmented energy periods, or simply not done at all.

3. You are not managing a list of tasks, but yourself. All time management methods ultimately depend on "you" as the executor. Your emotions, habits, desires, and weaknesses all influence the final outcome. Even the most perfect plan is just a piece of paper if you simply don't feel like doing it at the moment.

From this principle, you need to:

Build motivation, rather than relying solely on willpower. Willpower is a finite resource that quickly depletes. You need to find the intrinsic joy or significant meaning in doing something, letting "wanting to do it" drive you, rather than being forced by "should do it."
Design "fool-proof" processes. Acknowledge that you will be lazy, procrastinate, and get distracted. Therefore, design your environment to help yourself. For example, if you want to focus on work, put your phone in another room; if you want to stick to exercising, place your running shoes by the door where they are most visible. Don't overestimate your self-control.

In summary:

Thinking about time management through first principles, it's no longer just about how to use tools or schedule your day. It transforms into a deeper process of self-awareness and strategic choice:

Shifting from "managing time" to "managing energy."
Shifting from "completing tasks" to "achieving results."
Shifting from "fighting human nature" to "aligning with and guiding human nature."

You no longer ask, "How can I do more?", but instead begin to ask, "What is truly worth my time?" This is the fundamental difference.