Principle: You’ll kill more with speed and rest
One of many problems with work culture is the “always on” mentality.
Instead of getting 100% me for 6 hours, you’re getting 65% me for 10.
Not sure if that math maths, but the latter is definitely worse: lower quality for longer does not yield better results.
It would seem our brains are built for sprint-rest-sprint-rest action. Apart from some bushmen in Africa, most hunters used speed to catch prey, feasted for days, then headed back out.
And they got time with family on Christmas Eve, too.
Tactics
With the right motivation, a person can “sprint” for days at a time.
When I was starting my first ecom biz, I was on (truly on) 10 hours a day for more than a month. Starting something gave me energy.
But rest was a non-negotiable afterward.
Try this:
Commit to a 3-day sprint with a singular goal in mind. Only 6 hours in the day allowed for work.
Within those three days, commit to micro-sprints of no more than 30 minutes and 5 minutes of stretching, pushups, and walking outside between.
Track how much you get done, and compare it with a normal 3-day stretch of 8 hours.
You’ll be shocked.
Habits
I use a 4-hr timer when I work. The timer ONLY ticks if I’m working.
Not on linkedin. Not texting someone back. Not peeing. Productive, task-specific work only. It’s very strict.
I find that 4 hours comes and goes easily, and most days I get about 6:15 of real, high production.
Try it.
God speed,
Mike
Today’s inspiration: How to Launch a Million-Dollar Business This Weekend