Nov. 30 Day Challenge - Mastering the First Hour

[MariaG]

I'm at a place in my life where I need to make a transition. That means that for a while, I will have to get quite a bit more productive. For the month of November, I'm going to concentrate on using the first hour of my workday to be extremely productive.*

What does extremely productive mean? Here a few things I'm committing to doing during my first hour:

1. No email/RSS reader/news or anything else that is considered internet browsing. If I have to use the internet for something, I'm going to set a time limit for myself using Get Back to Work as my homepage and trying to beat the limit.
2. Plan my tasks for the first hour. Most of the time I'll probably be working on 1 task for the first hour. However, if I have to accomplish many small tasks, I'll create a list ahead of time using Sandy. That way, I can have the list sent to me by SMS. No email checking. Alternatively, I may just write a list on paper.
3. Set a timer. I use a timer on my Google Desktop when at work. I have an egg timer for use at home.

I also realize that I'm going to have to do a lot more mental and physical preparation *before* my first work hour starts. For one thing, I'm going to have to actually get up when the alarm goes off! Also, I've learned that I need to get a small amount of exercise, do 5-10 minutes of meditation to focus myself, and get my green smoothie (and yes, my coffee) prepped for brain fuel. So really, I at least need to master the first 2 hours of my day! BTW, weekends are not exempt right now, as I'll need to get at *least* one solid hour of work done on Saturdays and Sundays to get closer to my goals.

I appreciate any encouragement or advice this great community can offer me. I'm not the most disciplined person in the world - I'm more of an ideas person! - so this could be a tough one for me.

Here's to progress,
Maria

*For those who are interested, I got this idea from Eben Pagan, who explains it in this video.

[MariaG]

I decided to start my challenge this morning even though it's only October 31. Why wait?

I came into my office (which I usually share, but have to myself Friday mornings), put on some meditation music, set my timer, and got to work. I have to create a syllabus for a weekend workshop that I'm teaching and it requires a lot of concentration. I didn't get through all 60 minutes uninterrupted, but I did pretty well and made a lot of progress on the work.

However, I did get up to refill my coffee and I quit about 2 minutes before the timer went off. Overall, I would give myself about a 7 out of 10 for this first effort.

I have to say though, that I suffered quite a lot of motivational let down after this early victory. I haven't gotten much done the rest of the day. So, I'm going to have to work on that issue. Any suggestions for how to keep motivated after getting a good chunk of work done early?

[Matt Willard]

Hmmm. That's a question I'm wondering about myself. For me, as long as I don't jump online when I'm done, I can keep cookin' as long as I break every now and then. Perhaps it would be easier if you made an effort to stay active during the day-active in the sense of taking care of things, that is. Then again, don't get caught up in the unimportant stuff.

[nick pagan]

Congratulations on using Eben's productivity techniques. I often use the 60/60/30 method (was that in the video - I didn't check?) as a way to box my time effectively.

If you are running out of steam then that is probably occurring because you have some problem solving to do. We are creatures who want instant gratification and when we have an impulse to do something we want to take action immediately. However, if there is further problem solving involved before we can actually take action then we feel blocked, frustrated and even disappointed. This is when procrastination strikes.

After you initially run out of steam, make the next session a problem-solving session. This means that you accept that you can't launch yourself into action and instead will work out what you have to do to accomplish the next task. It might require creative thinking, but often it just requires more preparation and organization.

I have my own device for doing this called a 'How To Do' list and you can get a simplified version of it here:
The “How to Do” List

I've recently finished writing a whole book mostly dedicated to this problem. Write to me and I'll give you more details on that.

Best regards,
Nick

[MariaG]

My 30 day trial officially began on Saturday, and I had a total failure. I did no work toward my goals on Saturday. Instead, I slept later than I had planned and had to rush to a social appointment.

Not good. I really need to make this a priority, so will have to do a better job of getting to bed at a reasonable time and getting up when I plan.

On Sunday I wasn't feeling very well, so I chose not to do work that required a lot of brain power. Instead I got through several items on my todo list. I was pretty happy with that. The projects I finished aren't the *most* critical for my goals, but they help. "Honoring your energy" is one of the principles of Getting Things Done and I feel like a did that.

This morning I admit that I flubbed the first hour. The main problem is that I had to get online to complete a task, but got sucked into email and feed reading. However, I reset my timer and got a very solid 60 minutes, followed by a short break and another good 30 minutes in before lunch. That means I got 1.5 hours of productive work done this morning.

So far I think I've been more productive than I would have been without this challenge, but I have a long way to go to train my productivity muscles. I'm definitely still grappling with post success let down. If I can get 3-4 good hours of work in each day by the end of this month I'll be very satisfied.

[MariaG]

@Matt - yes, you may be right about getting online. I've been using online time as a "reward" for being productive, but I need to set more strict time limits on it.

@Nick = 60/60/30 is the system. I wasn't familiar with ultradian rhythms before I saw that video, but it makes so much sense to me, as my energy cycles at that exact pattern.

Honestly, it isn't problem solving that keeps me from staying productive. I'd almost say that once I get that first task done on my list I want to pat myself on the back and be happy with the rest of the day. Unfortunately, I have to do more than that right now! I need to find ways to keep my energy and concentration high for at least another hour or two every day.

[nick pagan]

I'm curious. What specifically prevents you from keeping energy and concentration high? Alternatively, what are the symptoms that you regularly experience that seem to thwart you from having energy and concentration?

[MariaG]

So here's a brief recap of my 1st week with this challenge:
Saturday: FAIL - No work
Sunday: 5 out of 10 - did some work, but low level stuff
Monday: Success. 7 out of 10. Did good work, but didn't last full 1 hour.
Tuesday: FAIL - distracted by election.
Wednesday: Success, but teach class for first 2 hours of day, so I didn't feel that I built up this habit.
Thursday & Friday: FAIL - tried, but did half-assed work.
Saturday & Sunday: FAIL - slept poorly, had bad energy, didn't get work done.

Sooo.....

Time to start again. Today is Monday & I've done my 1st hour of good, productive work. I'm also doing a group call this afternoon to tackle some work, so that's good as it will force me to have a productive afternoon. So far, so good.

[Matt Willard]

That focus seems like a difficult one to develop. I just hope you're not getting down about it-I'm having problems with maintaining focus myself, so it's a skill I know I need to develop. Just keep your chin up, eh?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by MariaG

I appreciate any encouragement or advice this great community can offer me.

Hey, Maria, here's what's missing from what you've said so far about your trial that would make a difference for me: inspiration.

So far, you've used words like need, force, tackle, work, let down, long way to go, slept poorly, bad energy, failure. I haven't heard you using words so far that have light and vitality, words that breathe life into your life!

In my experience, it's much easier to go towards what you want than away from what you don't. Maybe you'd like to try focusing more on your heart's desire -- that is, what will you really have when you see this signpost of mastering your first hour? What quality or condition will be present in your life that will be a triumph over the past? What is it your heart really wants, that will make it grow two sizes two large in your chest when it's there?

When you have distinguished that quality, what comes up for you?

[Matt Willard]

Angela's got a point. Finding work you love is a huge factor toward creating motivation and focus.

[MariaG]

@Angela - I agree with you. Right now I'm transitioning from outside employment to my own work - but have to do both for a few months. Part of the problem is that I am no longer inspired by my day job but I'm choosing to continue in it until I get a certain amount of emergency fund money saved up.

When I begin my day with work on my own projects, it's definitely easier to maintain focus.

[MariaG]

This week has been good so far. I'm pulling together a presentation for a conference next week and I've made good progress on it. I've also dedicated some time to my own work during that first hour, which is helpful.

This morning I was able to go the entire hour without distraction and even continued working for another 15 minutes to complete the task that was in process, so I'm happy with that.

I think that remaining dedicated to my goals, reviewing them daily, and understanding how each piece of my work fits into my overall vision is helping me. I've started to take 5 minutes before beginning work to sort through all of that. It's a great motivator.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by MariaG

@Angela - I agree with you. Right now I'm transitioning from outside employment to my own work - but have to do both for a few months. Part of the problem is that I am no longer inspired by my day job but I'm choosing to continue in it until I get a certain amount of emergency fund money saved up.

When I begin my day with work on my own projects, it's definitely easier to maintain focus.

Hi there -- I think you, and maybe Matt, misunderstood what I was saying; I'm sorry that I wasn't more clear.

I'm not talking about the specific work you're doing; it doesn't matter whether it's your own projects or your outside employment. Either way, you have the choice of what you want to generate within what you're doing. Either way, you can be going towards something, or you could be going away from something -- you can be generating, or you can be resisting.

When I ask you to look at what you could be generating in your work, whether it's outside employment or your own projects, I'm talking about an inspiring way of being that would have you leaping out of bed because you can't wait to get started expressing that way of being -- you are bursting with inspired action.

For me, it's being Bold Inspiration, and being a Joy Activist. Living my life in the context of being Bold Inspiration and being a Joy Activist has me making my choices differently, and has all my work occurring for me as a lot of fun rather than endless tireless obligation. It also has me measuring "success" in a very different way!

What I was asking you was not what you would be DOING, but what you could be BEING that would light you up, inspire you, having you be in love with your life? What could you be being, regardless of what you're doing, that would really make your life worth living?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by MariaG

I think that remaining dedicated to my goals, reviewing them daily, and understanding how each piece of my work fits into my overall vision is helping me. I've started to take 5 minutes before beginning work to sort through all of that. It's a great motivator.

Ahh, I smell a way of being that seems to be pretty inspiring for you: what are you being when you are understanding how each piece of work fits into your overall vision, and greatly motivates you?

[Matt Willard]

@Angela: Yep, I definitely misunderstood you beforehand. But really, what you're saying sounds very interesting, and it's something I think I want to learn more about. You sound just plain excited with everything-I want some of that. XD

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Matt Willard

@Angela: Yep, I definitely misunderstood you beforehand. But really, what you're saying sounds very interesting, and it's something I think I want to learn more about. You sound just plain excited with everything-I want some of that. XD

I want you to have it, too!

[MariaG]

Originally Posted by Angela

Hi there -- I think you, and maybe Matt, misunderstood what I was saying; I'm sorry that I wasn't more clear.

I'm not talking about the specific work you're doing; it doesn't matter whether it's your own projects or your outside employment. Either way, you have the choice of what you want to generate within what you're doing. Either way, you can be going towards something, or you could be going away from something -- you can be generating, or you can be resisting.

When I ask you to look at what you could be generating in your work, whether it's outside employment or your own projects, I'm talking about an inspiring way of being that would have you leaping out of bed because you can't wait to get started expressing that way of being -- you are bursting with inspired action.

For me, it's being Bold Inspiration, and being a Joy Activist. Living my life in the context of being Bold Inspiration and being a Joy Activist has me making my choices differently, and has all my work occurring for me as a lot of fun rather than endless tireless obligation. It also has me measuring "success" in a very different way!

What I was asking you was not what you would be DOING, but what you could be BEING that would light you up, inspire you, having you be in love with your life? What could you be being, regardless of what you're doing, that would really make your life worth living?

Hmm. Interesting perspective. I haven't really thought about my work in those terms. I do have a personal mission statement, but I think I need to update it, as I haven't touched it in over five years. Maybe I need to think about a mission that will resonate with me.

[MariaG]

The last few days of this challenge have shown me how much my personal energy cycles are tied in with my productivity. It is late autumn in the Upper Midwest and I have a rip-roaring case of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I've made a lot of progress in dealing with this condition, but it has been very cloudy and grey for about six days now. I'm realizing how much this is hampering my progress.

Because my energy has been low, I've been trying to direct my energies to more physical tasks. Yesterday I raked leaves for about 2 hours, and that really needed to get done, so it was a good use of time. I've also tried to break up my work into smaller chunks using techniques like the (10x2)*5 hack.

Basically, I'm trying to accept that I'm going to have low energy on these grey days. While I can mitigate this through the use of my full-spectrum lamp and proper diet and exercise, I can't escape the effects entirely. Maybe this is nature's way to telling me to slow down for a minute or two?

[Matt Willard]

I've been interested in looking into energy management as a key to motivation, because I've read that we all have natural peaks and valleys in our energy, and understanding them can help your productivity. Seems you're finding out about it first hand.

[dannielo]

Maybe it's because the first hour is work. Try starting the day with a routine that makes your body strong first (exercise, meditation, eating etc) and only after that go to work.

[MariaG]

@dannielo - I haven't talked about this much, but I do a bit of that - not a full hour, though. Part of the issue is that I have a 1.5 hour commute (each way) which has been even longer this week because of bad weather, so that really eats into my morning. I DON'T want to start rising at 5am, so I'm adapting as best I can. Fortunately I've only been going into the office 2-3 days per week, but it's enough to mess up my routine.

I do a small amount of exercise - usually some Wii Fit or some simple calisthenics for 10 minutes - eat a good breakfast, and do 5-10 minutes of meditation and focusing on my goals. Then I begin working.

[MariaG]

@Matt - yes, I am definitely learning about energy management. I tend to drink a lot of coffee to make up for the low energy that grey days bring me. I'm starting to notice that the extra caffeine is disturbing my sleep patterns. I need to figure out a solution for this.

I'm also noticing that "that time of month" is more energy consuming than I ever realized. Probably not an issue for you! But it has been affecting my energy and focus.

The last couple of days I've been at a conference, so my schedule is all messed up. I'll need to reset this routine on Monday and keep moving forward.

[Matt Willard]

I just finished reading "The Power of Full Engagement". While it mostly confirmed things I wanted to improve with myself, perhaps you should take a look through it to see if there's anything you can get out of it.