14
Simple Tool – Massive Increase in Productivity
No comments · Posted by admin in General, Productivity
Several years ago I was listening to a speech by the late Gene Schwartz, a great copywriter. He had spoken to people at the Philips Publishing Company in 1993. During his talk Gene mentioned a time management technique that caught my attention.
A Simple and Powerful Time Management Technique
This technique was so simple. I thought there was no way it could have great results. He said to go out and get a standard kitchen timer, you know, the kind one uses to time meals cooking in an oven.
Set the timer for 33 minutes and 33 seconds. Put the project you have to work on in front of you. Start the timer. Work on your project without interruption for 33 minutes and 33 seconds.
The project you are working on gets all of your attention for all of that time. Don’t allow any interruptions. Hang a sign on you door saying “Do Not Disturb.” If the telephone rings, let it go into voice mail. Don’t check email. Don’t take any breaks during that time.
The reason Gene said to set the timer for 33 minutes and 33 seconds was that he found for himself that was the maximum amount of time he could work on a project before he started to tire.
At the end of 33 minutes and 33 seconds, he would get up and take a break for 5 to 10 minutes. That gave him time to recharge his batteries. After that break he could
Repeat The Process
I bought a timer some time ago and tried it. I liked what I was able to accomplish. However, I didn’t stick to this routine regularly until recently.
What has happened for me? The system is great. I get far more accomplished now than I ever did before. The reason is that I am focusing all of my attention on what I am doing for a very short period of time.
I Have Made Several Changes
I don’t limit myself to 33 minutes and 33 seconds.
If I am writing, I will limit the time I spend at any given time to about 45 minutes. That seems to be the maximum time I can really concentrate on what I am doing.
On other projects, I extend the time to an hour. If I am reading, I will set the timer for an hour. If I am doing research, I do the same. I have found this works for me.
I also schedule 15 minute breaks normally twice a day to check emails and do other things. This is in addition to the 5 to 10 minute breaks I take when the timer goes off.
My Productivity Has Skyrocketed
I find that I am able to get far more accomplished now than I could before. Doing this has also increased the amount of free time I have to do other projects.
You may be saying to yourself – this is too simple. How can this technique increase productivity so dramatically? It boils down to the focused concentration you are giving to each project.
Just get a timer and try it.
Let me know what happens.
Bob Paroski
Related Posts:
No tags
