I think the general thread I will follow until I’m done reading Effortless is going to be centered around time management and procrastination. One of the main takeaways I had from the reading today is about the concept McKeown introduces around microbursts. He describes it as, “A ten-minute surge of focused activity that can have an immediate effect on our essential project.”
The Power Hour Concept
This immediately reminded me of the “Power Hour” that Gretchen Rubin introduces in her book The Happiness Project (a book I read several years ago). For the Power Hour (which can be adjusted to shorter amounts of time based on your schedule), you block off the time on your calendar once a week to tackle the minor tasks you tend to procrastinate on completing, which, if left undone, will ultimately cause you stress and hinder your productivity. Think of scheduling appointments, fixing small household items, paying bills, organizing a space, etc. Combine that with Rubin’s “One-Minute Rule” where you tackle a task immediately if it takes one minute or less, and you will quickly be on your way to a happier, less stressful, less cluttered life.
The Power of Focused Time
Both concepts get you to spend focused time on an activity. I like the microburst as a way to really just get started on something that has been put off because just starting builds up the momentum to keep you going.
Ponder This
- What tasks could you tackle with a ten-minute microburst to kickstart your productivity?
- How can you implement a Power Hour in your weekly routine to manage minor tasks effectively?
- What benefits have you experienced or do you anticipate from applying these techniques?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Books
- Effortless - Greg McKeown
- The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
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