Note #2: Work in blocks
Have a lot of projects, working hard and still have the feeling that nothing gets done? Try working with blocks.
1. Create a block for each task. Those had been proved to work the best:
• Meetings = 15-30 minutes
• Creative work = 2-4 hours
• Pauses between = 15 minutes
• Problem-solving = 1 hour
• Deload = 30 minutes
2. Split those blocks into two parts of the day – morning and afternoon. One creative job per each.
3. Don’t interrupt your creative and problem-solving blocks, turn off your notifications, don’t accept any calls
4. Be strict. End meetings after 30 mins without mercy. Work on a project for 3 hours, focus deeply, then have a 15 min break, doing absolutely nothing. Give yourself 1 hour to solve a problem.
5. Set a daily plan using the blocks, like this one:
• 8 AM: 3 h of creative work with a clear output
• 11 AM: 15 min pause, walk, stare out the window
• 11.15 AM: 30 min meeting
• 11.45 AM: Deload
• 12.15: 3 h of creative work
• 15.15: 15 min pause
• 15.30: 1 h problem solving
• 16.30: Deload, or finish project outputs. Wrap it up.
6. Be realistic. Two projects per day are enough to make a difference. Slow down to speed up. If I can choose from finishing the week with 4 projects done, or 8 somewhere in the middle, I’ll go for the first option every time.