by the 3rd or 4th one you'll sleep thru most of it w/out a care. OR.......... consume an excessive amount of alcohol.
On a serious note. once your comfort level gets going, you'll have an idea when to start X item to be done by X time. After the years usig the smoker, i'm at the point depending on sixe of meat being smoked. I'll smoke for 4-5 hrs, then finish off in the instantpot