1) There is a solution to the “hustle porn” debate.
Don’t focus on hours. Pay attention to level of intensity and focus during the hours you do work.
Here’s how:
Don’t focus on hours. Pay attention to level of intensity and focus during the hours you do work.
Here’s how:
2) Most of us aren’t very disciplined about how we spend our time. We honestly think we work hard. We’re just wrong.
CrossFit is a good analogy. They don’t work out for hours on end. But the hour they do is intense, focused and measured.
CrossFit is a good analogy. They don’t work out for hours on end. But the hour they do is intense, focused and measured.
3) Intensity and focus are also like working out in that it takes time to build up. You’re most likely pretty weak right now. Some strategies that can help:
4) Resolve to. Like most behavior change it starts with intention.
5) Prepare to be uncomfortable at first. You’re most likely addicted to your phone and checking email and wasting time. Resisting the urge will be hard. Have a plan in advance for what you’ll do when you feel resistance.
6) Literally measure yourself. Set an alarm at noon and 5 and log your level of focus from 1-10. Alternatively try to track the % of time spent in focused work. Get a baseline, set goals to increase.
7) Give yourself grace. You’re going to screw up. All the time. It’s okay. Behavior change takes time.
8) When things come up that would normally be distractions, make a note somewhere (paper, todo list app, whatever) and return to what you’re doing. Process those open items later in a batch (GTD habits 1 and 2).
9) Often you feel resistance because you don’t know what the next step is. Get in the habit of identifying the specific concrete step. So “plan holiday party” becomes go on hot list and find 5 options for venue - cap at 15 minutes.”
10) Find mentors who know what focused work looks like. Former athletes often know. Musicians often know. Take them to breakfast and pick their brain. Consider enlisting them as coaches or accountability buddies.
11) Build in renewal cadences. You can’t go forever. In the beginning try for 20 minutes, then take a break - can use Pomodoro-type apps to track it. Eventually work up. I like 90/15 cadences.
12) Also consider how you recharge at night. Game of Thrones is fun, but probably leaves you more stressed than when you started. Read. Meditate. Pray. Have sex. Take a bath. Stretch.
13) Try to sleep at the same time each night and shoot for 8 hours. The research is conclusive - sleep dramatically impacts performance and intensity at work (ask @nickseguin for advise here).
14) Order tasks by importance. The tyranny of the urgent constantly thwarts folks looking to build their execution muscles. Resolve to get 1 or 2 important things done each day. Treat everything else as gravy.
15) Everyone has triggers that lead to unproductive habits. Find yours and make a plan for disrupting them. Install site blockers, put a sticky with a reminder above your monitor, whatever works.
16) The corollary - create a triggering routine to start your focus sessions. Trains your brain it’s time to work. Pick a playlist. Light a candle. Make some special tea you only drink then.
17) Focus isn’t about grinding yourself into powder. I think it should feel like a workout though, in a positive sense.
You should walk away feeling like you got a BUNCH of important stuff done with the time you had. You should go home and have the beer knowing you earned it.
You should walk away feeling like you got a BUNCH of important stuff done with the time you had. You should go home and have the beer knowing you earned it.
