#Resource --- tags: - Learning You're right that Newport doesn't explicitly prescribe rigid minimums and maximums as a single definitive rule, but the guidance is clear enough when you pull it together. Here's what he actually says, and then how it applies to your specific 6:30–10pm window: --- **Newport's actual numbers:** The minimum block size is 30 minutes — anything shorter isn't worth treating as a block, and small tasks should be batched into a single "task block" rather than given their own slot. The upper limit for deep work per day is around four hours — beyond that, focused attention genuinely diminishes. This isn't a block length cap, it's a daily total. For building the habit, he suggests starting with nothing over 90 minutes and gradually extending your focus stamina — treating it like a muscle rather than assuming you can do 3-hour blocks immediately. One to two hours set aside for a specific type of work is considered a solid, complete block — enough to get thoroughly into something and finish it. --- **The evening problem you're describing:** This is actually something Newport addresses fairly directly. He recommends ending your workday with a shutdown ritual, with 5:30pm cited as his own hard stop — the logic being that evening time is better used for genuine rest that rebuilds capacity for the next day's deep work, not for squeezing in fragmented effort. Evening is specifically framed as the time for downtime that will serve your deep work sessions the following day. The tension you're feeling — arriving home at 6:30pm and trying to spread yourself across multiple things before bed — is almost a textbook description of what he'd caution against. You have roughly 3.5 hours, minus dinner and wind-down. That's not enough for multiple meaningful blocks, and trying to fit them in creates the fragmented, anxious feeling you mentioned. --- **Applied to your 6:30–10pm:** Given your window and what Newport actually argues, the honest prescription would be: **One block only. 90 minutes maximum. Everything else is rest or shallow admin.** In practice that might look like: arrive home → decompress and eat → one focused 90-minute block on whatever matters most that evening (art, a project, reading with intent) → proper wind-down before 10pm. The shutdown ritual matters here too — reviewing your systems and closing all loops at the end of the day signals to your brain that work is finished, which is what allows you to actually rest rather than carrying a low hum of unresolved tasks into sleep. Your instinct — "maybe I should just focus on one or two things" — is essentially correct, and Newport would probably say one thing is better than two on a tired weekday evening. The fragmentation you feel likely isn't from doing too little, it's from repeatedly setting up for several things and not fully landing any of them. Yes, quite a lot actually — and it cuts in an interesting direction. The saying is usually about manner, quality, and presence over quantity or content. Applied here, it reframes everything we've been discussing: Newport's whole system is essentially a productivity *framework*, and frameworks can be followed to the letter while completely missing the spirit. You could time-block perfectly, batch your tasks, do your 90-minute session — and still feel hollow or fragmented if you're not genuinely *in* what you're doing when you do it. There's a thread running through your day that I think is actually more relevant than block lengths. You mentioned this morning feeling mentally busy but discombobulated, not clear on goals, feeling fragmented. That's not really a scheduling problem — it's a quality-of-attention problem. Newport touches on it but doesn't dwell on it: he calls it "attention residue," the way your mind keeps leaking back to other things even when you've nominally moved on. The *way* you do a thing — whether you're truly present in it or half-elsewhere — determines whether the hour felt meaningful or not. This connects directly to your art practice as well. An hour of drawing where you're genuinely absorbed is worth more than three hours of restless mark-making while thinking about everything else. Which you almost certainly already know from experience. There's also something in the saying that pushes back gently against the whole optimisation instinct. Newport is brilliant but he's essentially an optimiser — he wants every minute to have a job. That framing can quietly introduce a kind of anxious efficiency that's the opposite of the absorbed, unhurried state where good creative work actually happens. His *Slow Productivity* book is partly a correction to his earlier work on exactly this point — recognising that obsessing over *how much* you do can degrade *how well* you do it. So yes — the saying has real meaning here. The minimum and maximum block lengths matter far less than whether you arrive at that block settled, clear, and genuinely committed to the one thing in front of you. Which circles back to what you said yourself: the tiredness might be less about volume and more about the cognitive cost of never quite landing anywhere fully. [How to block Screentime](https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/ipad/ipad12c0a656/ipados) > [!Useful] > ![[The Periodic Table of Productivity small.png]] [[The Periodic Table of Productivity small.png]] # Strategic Sequencing. This encapsulates the deliberate organisation of tasks based on their individual requirements and your optimal working conditions. https://www.todoist.com/productivity-methods/getting-things-done # Burnout Vs Engagement ### Value - Defining goal #### Self-Direction - independent thought and action, expressed in choosing, creating and exploring #### Stimulation - excitement, novelty, and challenge in life pleasure or sensuous gratification for oneself #### Hedonism - personal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards #### Achievement - control or dominance over people and resources #### Power - control or dominance over people and resources #### Security - safety, harmony, and stability of society, of relationships, and of self #### Conformity - restraint of actions, inclinations, and impulses likely to upset or harm others and violate social expectations or norms #### Tradition - respect, commitment, and acceptance of the customs and ideas that one's culture or religion provides #### Benevolence - preserving and enhancing the welfare of those with whom one is in frequent personal contact (the 'in-group') #### Universalism - understanding, appreciation, tolerance, and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature ![[10 values.webp]] (Score out of 10) The MBI-GS addresses three scales: •  Exhaustion measures feelings of being overextended and exhausted by one’s work. Add constraints on the amount of reasonable work you take on each day. ‘**Parkinson's law** is the observation that public administration, bureaucracy and officialdom expands, regardless of the amount of work to be done.’ [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law) How does this fit in with the with [[Jack Daley]] and his view that what is measurable is attainable? •  Cynicism measures an indifference or a distant attitude towards your work. •  Professional Efficacy measures satisfaction with past and present accomplishments, and it explicitly assesses an individual’s expectations of continued effectiveness at work. 1.  Community  2.  Workload 3.  Insufficient reward 4.  Lack of control  5.  Fairness  6.  Values  - [x] Create a daily Notion database for these 5 categories - In [[Pagan]] times I imagine they had more time then in our long hours, technological age? - It is interesting to view [[Time]] in a scientific way - if we graph and analyse the time in a day, we might find how unbalanced our lives are. # How to bend time Time is a constraint  Chunking - linking - sequencing  1) Verbs often indicate how long something will take.  2) Certain verbs follow and contain others  We don’t work on ideas. We work on projects, more specifically we work on chunks of projects linked together in the right sequence. # Impact Vs. Effort matrix (Apple notes note titled Productivity.) Managing your workload There are three concepts that frequently come into play when I think about managing my workload: **==time management, prioritisation and productivity==.** - Time management refers to how you plan and organise your activities around a certain timeframe. Good time management can help you work more efficiently and effectively, getting more done in less time. - Prioritisation is a relative activity which involves determining which activity takes precedence over others based on criteria such as importance, urgency and impact. - Lastly, [the Cambridge Dictionary defines productivity](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/productivity) as “the ability to do as much work as possible in a particular period”. Although measuring outputs can be helpful (i.e measuring the amount of things done), a more useful way of measuring productivity is the amount of useful and/or valuable things done in a consistent and sustainable pace. Understanding how you approach each of these concepts can help you determine the strengths and weaknesses of your current ways of working. With this self-awareness, you can focus on small improvements that set you on a track to work more efficiently and effectively. Impact vs. Effort Matrix There are many principles, tools and techniques that I have tried out or recommend to the teams I work with. You may of heard of some: - Visualising your work - Limiting work in progress - Pomodoro technique - Eisenhower matrix - Trello ![[Impact vs. Effort Matrix.webp]] For now, I am going to take you step-by-step through the Impact vs Effort Matrix I use to manage my workload. The Impact vs. Effort Matrix is a useful tool for decision-making that can be used individually and in groups. It takes into consideration the amount of effort required to carry out something compared to its potential impact. 1. Write down all your tasks Write each task on a post-it. You may have different types of tasks such as one-off tasks, routine activities (like business-as-usual), projects, and problems-to-solve: make sure you write everything down, even the smallest of tasks. 2. Identify 2-minute tasks If a task won’t take longer than two minutes to complete, set them aside in a separate pile. 3. Identify tasks with an immovable deadline If a task has a completion date, add the date to the post-it. 4. Refine each task This will help you with comparing and prioritising your work. Gather as much information you have on each task. Make sure you are clear on the “why”, “what” and “who”. If you have any idea of the “how”, include that too — even if it’s just the first step. You may want to use a [user story](https://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/agile/user-stories) format to shape the task description: “As a person/user/audience, I want a goal, so that some reason”. Or, if you want to break the task down into smaller components, use the [INVEST](https://agileforall.com/new-to-agile-invest-in-good-user-stories/) acronym. 5. Prioritise your work based on impact and effort Before you begin, make sure you are clear about what impact and effort means to you so that you can objectively compare pieces of work. For example, when thinking about effort, you might consider different factors such as time, complexity and uncertainty. On a clear table, draw one vertical line for “impact” and one horizontal line for “effort”. Start off with a task that you are clear about what it involves. Place the post-it on the impact vs. effort matrix. Then, pick up another post-it and place it on the matrix; think about how it compares to the task you put down first. Then, repeat until you’ve gone through all tasks. Tip: if your post-its end up in one quadrant, move the axes so that they are better distributed across the matrix. 6. Start with the quick wins Start with the quick wins: tasks that are in the lop left quadrant. These should be done first as they have a high impact but take less effort. The tasks in the top right quadrant are your larger projects — they will need more planning and possibly breaking down into smaller tasks. Ask yourself if there are any opportunities to reach the same impact with less effort. Maybe you can use a test and learn approach to determine the best way forward? The tasks in the bottom left quadrant are your “fill in” tasks. Determine whether you can delegate this, or if there’s anything you can do to improve its impact. The tasks in the bottom right quadrant are “thankless tasks”. Ask yourself if these really need to be done — avoid them as they aren’t impactful and require too much effort. Or, [eliminate ruthlessly](https://jamesclear.com/buffett-focus)! 7. Visualise your work 1Rj8KtKAG3hdsTvLYs4oWgg.png.webp Create a prioritised list of your tasks based on the above step. Use a simple and use a simple “to do”, “doing” and “done” board to move through your tasks. Avoid multi-tasking — focusing on one task will help you move things to “done”. 8. Time-box your small tasks With fresh eyes, take another look at your 2-minute tasks pile. If there is anything that you think isn’t worthwhile, don’t do it. Then, book 10-minute slots in your calendar for the rest. Repeat until you have got through all the small tasks. 9. Time-boxing the quick wins Go back to your prioritised list and put some time in your calendar to work on the quick wins. Give yourself some slack — if you think you’ll need more time to plan a task or follow up on it, make sure you’ve put in time for that too! Once you’ve got through the quick wins, you can then go in to more detailed planning for your “major projects” quadrant. Revisit your list regularly to make sure your are focusing on what matters. 10. Repeat! Repeat this process regularly and adapt this technique to better suit your ways of working. You may find it helpful to incorporate other methods like the Pomodoro Technique to help progressing your tasks. A quick Google search on productivity hacks will get you inspired. --- The saying "necessity is the mother of invention" highlights the idea that human beings are driven to create solutions when faced with challenges or problems. It suggests that constraints can inspire creativity and innovation, as we are forced to think outside the box to find solutions. Similarly, the paradox of being more productive when you have stricter time constraints is another example of how limitations can drive productivity and creativity. When we have less time to complete a task, we are forced to focus our efforts and prioritize our work. This can lead to more efficient use of our time and resources, as we become more disciplined and intentional in our work. From a philosophical standpoint, these ideas suggest that limitations and challenges are not necessarily negative experiences, but rather opportunities for growth and development. Instead of avoiding constraints or trying to eliminate them, we can embrace them as catalysts for innovation and progress. In essence, this philosophy proposes that by embracing limitations and challenges, we can tap into our innate creativity and problem-solving abilities, and achieve greater productivity and success in our lives. The 3 layers buried in the one kernel: 1. Diagnoses - ask questions 2. Policy 3. Action plan  >if you just captured what you already know that would get you so much more systemised. > Layla at Process Driven. I feel like there is a theme with my Sage (and probably all Christmas holidays) - I need to have an annual energy release before I can really relax into a holiday routine, otherwise I’m all tense and preoccupied with my latent energies, that have maybe built up with expectations and denial over the routine weeks and months. I think it's the way forwards to not micro manage time blocks, just have 2 or 3 large ones, maybe use subtasks more - or maybe not. Anyhow, made some good slow productivity with my Fresco brushes and used Midjourney to create a reference image.It's good I think to have the motivation to not be too content with watching TV. Even if I'm just doing art stuff or organising, listening to books etc in bed, it's so much better than just passively watching TV. Remember, doing art, whether it is 'subjective' or not, is at least more useful than just watching TV too much. Anything that carries some risk of failure is healthy in the end! [[Elizabeth Filips]] Method I thought my bedroom smelt last night. What can I do to make it fresher? 1. Open window 2. Get rid of any possible dirty clothes 3. Hoover carpet? Also want to get rid of the carpet and laminate the floor. You have to give a time block for art, in particular, quite a lot of buffer time at the beginning, and maybe the end too, because there are always unaccounted things, like making a cup of tea, setting up apple TV again, charging Apple pencil etc. But whilst these things are being prepared, so is our mind, and the core time of artwork can be expanded to include actual art time. Maybe change the schedules on Sunsama, so Art has its own (anytime?).. Done ☑️ Maybe only ever create Todoist tasks via here on Obsidian? And maybe get in the habit of not ticking off tasks in Todoist, only in Sunsama, will force me to be better at time blocking that way. #### Divide the day into four equal time sections, each lasting 3 hours and 45 minutes, starting at 7:00 AM and concluding at 10:00 PM: 1. **Section 1 (7:00 AM - 10:45 AM):** - 7:00 AM - 10:45 AM (3 hours and 45 minutes): This section provides a substantial block of time for your morning activities, including personal reflection, [[meditation]], and dedicated artistry. 2. **Section 2 (11:00 AM - 2:45 PM):** - 11:00 AM - 2:45 PM (3 hours and 45 minutes): During this period, continue your artistic pursuits with focus and creativity. This allows for substantial progress in your work. 3. **Section 3 (3:00 PM - 6:45 PM):** - 3:00 PM - 6:45 PM (3 hours and 45 minutes): Resume your artistic endeavors, refining your craft and exploring new avenues of creativity. 4. **Section 4 (7:00 PM - 10:45 PM):** - 7:00 PM - 10:45 PM (3 hours and 45 minutes): Conclude your day with a final session of creative work, embracing the tranquility of the evening to bring your artistic visions to life. - # Quarter goals Conjoin this up with my [[Artist Statement]] and [[Artist's Method]] If we were to consider art as a [[practice]] akin to sports training, one could develop a structured weekly routine to enhance artistic skills. Here's an outline of an art training routine for the week: **Day 1: Monday - Drawing Fundamentals** - Morning: Start with gesture drawing to capture the essence of subjects quickly. - Afternoon: Focus on still life drawings to work on proportions and shading. - Evening: Experiment with various pencil techniques and cross-hatching. **Day 2: Tuesday - Painting Techniques** - Morning: Acrylic or oil painting [[practice]] with an emphasis on brushwork and blending. - Afternoon: Watercolor painting to explore transparency and layering. - Evening: Experiment with palette knife techniques. **Day 3: Wednesday - Art History and Critique** - Morning: Study the works of renowned artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci or Hokusai, to understand their techniques and styles. - Afternoon: Analyse your own recent artworks and identify areas for improvement. - Evening: Join a local art critique group or seek feedback online. **Day 4: Thursday - Sculpture and 3D Art** - Morning: Work on a sculpture project using clay or another medium. - Afternoon: Experiment with mixed-media and collage to create three-dimensional art. - Evening: Explore digital 3D art or sculpting if interested. **Day 5: Friday - Creative Exploration** - Morning: Try a different art form you haven't explored much, like printmaking or pottery. - Afternoon: Create art inspired by your emotions or current events to express your feelings. - Evening: Collaborate with other artists or engage in a group art project. **Day 6: Saturday - Outdoor Sketching** - Morning: Visit a local park or scenic location for plein air sketching. - Afternoon: Experiment with urban sketching in a bustling cityscape. - Evening: Reflect on the experiences and sketching challenges encountered during the day. **Day 7: Sunday - Artistic Research and Planning** - Morning: Research upcoming art exhibitions, galleries, or art events in your area. - Afternoon: Plan your future art projects, setting goals and creating a project schedule. - Evening: Relax and gather inspiration from books, films, or other art forms. This weekly routine balances skill development, creative exploration, and self-reflection, much like a sports training regimen. Remember that consistency and dedication are key to improving your artistic abilities. Adjust the routine according to your personal goals and preferences, and, over time, you'll see significant progress in your artistry. ## Structured Systems When pursuing a goal that feels overwhelmingly difficult, employing structured systems of advice and strategies can help break it down, maintain motivation, and make progress manageable. Here are several systems and approaches to consider: #### 1. Chunking and Small Steps • Principle: Break your goal into smaller, more manageable pieces to reduce overwhelm. • Method: 1. Divide the goal into milestones or phases. 2. Focus on completing one small task at a time, celebrating each step forward. • Example: Instead of “write a novel,” focus on “write one page today.” • Why It Works: Small victories build momentum and confidence. #### 2. SMART Goals • Principle: Set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. • Method: • Refine your goal into a clear, actionable plan. • Example: Instead of “get healthy,” set “walk for 30 minutes, 3 times a week, for the next month.” • Why It Works: It provides clarity, direction, and realistic expectations. #### 3. The Two-Minute Rule • Principle: If a task seems daunting, start by doing just two minutes of it. • Method: • Commit to working on the goal for two minutes daily. • Example: If starting an exercise routine feels overwhelming, begin with just 2 minutes of stretching or walking. • Why It Works: Overcoming inertia often leads to continuing beyond the initial two minutes. #### 4. Visualisation and Mental Rehearsal • Principle: Envisioning success can increase motivation and focus. • Method: • Regularly visualise achieving your goal in vivid detail. • Combine this with imagining the steps you’ll take to get there. • Example: Picture yourself completing a marathon, but also visualise your daily training runs. • Why It Works: It strengthens your belief in the goal’s attainability and aligns your actions with your aspirations. #### 5. The 1% Rule (Incremental Improvement) • Principle: Aim to improve by just 1% each day. • Method: • Identify small daily actions or habits that build towards your goal. • Example: For learning a new language, aim to learn one new word each day. • Why It Works: Compounded progress over time leads to significant results. #### 6. Time Blocking and Scheduling • Principle: Allocate specific times for working on your goal to ensure consistent progress. • Method: • Use a planner or digital calendar to set aside regular, dedicated time slots. • Example: Block 30 minutes every morning to focus on studying or practicing a skill. • Why It Works: It prevents procrastination and creates a routine. #### 7. Accountability Systems • Principle: Sharing your goal with others can boost commitment and motivation. • Method: • Work with a mentor, coach, or accountability partner. • Join groups or communities aligned with your goal. • Example: Share your progress weekly with a friend or post updates in a community. • Why It Works: External support and feedback increase accountability and resilience. #### 8. Focus on Systems, Not Just Goals • Principle: Create habits and systems that make working on your goal automatic. • Method (inspired by James Clear’s Atomic Habits): • Identify daily actions that align with your goal. • Example: Instead of “lose weight,” focus on “prepare healthy meals every Sunday.” • Why It Works: Systems ensure steady progress regardless of immediate results. #### 9. Reframing and Mindset Shifts • Principle: Change how you perceive challenges to reduce overwhelm. • Method: • Reframe “I must achieve this” to “I get to work towards this.” • View obstacles as opportunities for growth. • Example: Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, see them as valuable learning experiences. • Why It Works: A positive mindset fosters resilience and perseverance. #### 10. Seek Guidance and Resources • Principle: Leverage existing knowledge and expertise to guide your journey. • Method: • Find books, courses, or mentors related to your goal. • Example: If you want to start a business, study entrepreneurial case studies or take a business class. • Why It Works: Learning from others’ experiences can make your path more efficient and less daunting. #### 11. Kaizen (Continuous Improvement) • Principle: Focus on consistent, incremental improvement rather than immediate perfection. • Method: • Regularly evaluate your progress and adjust your approach as needed. • Example: If your goal is to write a book, refine your process after completing each chapter. • Why It Works: Adapting to small improvements prevents stagnation. #### 12. Accept Imperfection and Start Anyway • Principle: Perfect conditions are rarely necessary to begin. • Method: • Commit to starting, even if you feel unprepared. • Example: Begin sketching ideas for an art project without worrying about the final product. • Why It Works: Action creates clarity and momentum. #### 13. Review and Reflect Regularly • Principle: Evaluating progress helps maintain focus and motivation. • Method: • Set aside time weekly or monthly to assess your efforts. • Adjust your goals or strategies based on your findings. • Example: If you’re falling behind, break tasks into smaller steps. • Why It Works: Reflection prevents burnout and ensures alignment with your broader vision. ## Tailored Advice To tailor the advice systems to your goal of artistic success—defined as spending more time on art and finding an audience—here’s a structured plan: - [x] Follow tailored advice ### 1. Chunking and Small Steps • Break Down the Goal: • Phase 1: Establish a consistent art practice. • Phase 2: Develop a portfolio of work. • Phase 3: Share and market your art to connect with an audience. • Daily Focus: Identify one small action per day, e.g., sketching for 20 minutes, setting up a portfolio, or researching platforms for showcasing art. ### 2. SMART Goals • Specific: Define what “finding an audience” means to you. Is it social media engagement, gallery representation, or participation in events? • Measurable: Aim for milestones like creating 10 pieces in a series, gaining a certain number of followers, or participating in one exhibition. • Achievable: Balance your art with your current schedule, gradually increasing time spent. • Relevant: Align your actions with your artistic vision and personal style. • Time-bound: Set timelines, e.g., “Complete a portfolio within three months.” ### 3. The 1% Rule (Incremental Improvement) • Focus on daily habits to build momentum, such as: • Improving technique by studying one new skill weekly. • Connecting with one potential audience member or peer daily through social media, forums, or local networks. ### 4. Visualisation and Mental Rehearsal • Regularly visualise: • Short-Term: Completing an art piece you’re proud of. • Long-Term: Displaying your work in a gallery or receiving positive feedback online. • Use this exercise to stay motivated and focus on the steps needed to achieve the vision. ### 5. Focus on Systems, Not Just Goals • System: Build a sustainable art routine: • Dedicate specific time blocks for creating art daily or weekly. • Set systems for sharing: e.g., schedule one post a week or apply to one opportunity monthly. • Outcome: Shift from “I want to be successful” to “I create and share my art consistently.” ### 6. Accountability Systems • Share your progress with others to stay motivated: • Join an art group or collective to connect with peers. • Use platforms like Instagram, Behance, or DeviantArt to post your work regularly and engage with feedback. • Partner with a friend or mentor to check in on your progress. ### 7. Reframing and Mindset Shifts • Reframe “success” as a journey, not a destination. • Treat setbacks (e.g., low engagement or rejection) as learning experiences rather than failures. • Focus on the joy of creating art, knowing the audience will grow over time. ### 8. Seek Guidance and Resources • Study successful artists who share similar goals or mediums. • Take online courses or workshops in both art and marketing to refine your craft and learn to promote your work effectively. ### 9. Time Blocking and Scheduling • Designate time for these categories: • Creating: Focus solely on making art. • Learning: Develop new skills or refine techniques. • Sharing: Market your work or connect with your audience. For instance, dedicate two evenings a week to creating and one to learning or marketing. ### 10. Accept Imperfection and Start Anyway • Share your art even if you feel it’s not “perfect.” Your audience will appreciate authenticity and growth. • Use platforms like Instagram Stories or process videos to share behind-the-scenes work, which often resonates deeply with audiences. ### 11. Kaizen (Continuous Improvement) • Regularly evaluate your art and promotional strategies. Ask: • What’s working? (e.g., a certain type of artwork gets more attention.) • What can improve? (e.g., better photography of your pieces or a more consistent posting schedule.) ### 12. Review and Reflect Regularly • At the end of each week or month, reflect on: • What you accomplished in your art practice. • How your audience responded. • Any adjustments needed for next steps. ## Example Monthly Plan for Artistic Success ###### 1. Week 1: Create a new piece and share your progress online. ###### 2. Week 2: Research one platform or opportunity for showcasing your art (e.g., online galleries or local exhibitions). ###### 3. Week 3: Engage with your audience (e.g., respond to comments, network with fellow artists). ###### 4. Week 4: Reflect on your progress and set goals for the next month. This structured approach balances creative freedom with practical steps, ensuring that you can steadily grow your artistic practice while building a meaningful connection with your audience. Would you like help refining any specific aspect of this plan? --- [[Energy Art]] has a great Flow to it. ## How to Start Practicing Compartmentalisation https://www.lifehack.org/863031/compartmentalize To get started with compartmentalisation, try various techniques that suit your lifestyle and work habits. Establishing rules, habits, and approaches will not only minimise stress but also give you a greater sense of control over your life. ### 1. Practice Through Visualisation Starting to visualise your journey towards a long term goal or vision helps you to begin compartmentalising. One approach is to visualise yourself going on a journey in a car taking on board whats going to help you achieve your goals and not taking on board what isn’t serving you. Let me explain: Any issues or stress in your life as you come alongside them, move them into another car or house that’s not on your journey or isn’t on your journey yet. For example, you have a big pitch coming up at work, but it’s weeks away, and it’s already causing you anxiety. Place it in a house that’s much further up the road as you shouldn’t be worrying about it yet. Then focus hard on the house telling yourself it’s okay to have it there and you will deal with it when you’re ready. You then continue on your journey. Keep going on this journey, moving each dominant thought into another car or house until you feel you have a place for each of your main worries or thoughts. Anything that you don’t want on your journey at all, say no to it and remove it. You’ll soon feel more in control and calmer the more you [[practice]] this approach. ### 2. Focus on ONE Thing at a Time This may sound obvious, but knowing you should focus on one thing at a time versus actually doing it are two very different things. [Multitasking](https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/how-to-multitask.html) doesn’t work and impacts your focus and productivity. Pick one task. It doesn’t matter if it’s large or small, then set a timer which is a little promise to yourself that you won’t be distracted during this time. Entirely focus on that task until the timer is finished. Use a Google timer, a stopwatch or an app. It doesn’t matter as long as it has an alarm once complete. Practicing this which is named [Deep Work](https://www.lifehack.org/849518/deep-work-rules) by Cal Newport in the book called _Deep Work_ is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. The more you practice this skill, the better you’ll become. ### 3. Recognize When You’re Going within Yourself You may be working on a task at work when something triggers an adverse reaction in you like a comment from a work colleague, or you’re reminded of a particular situation that impacted your confidence in the past. At this moment, don’t go within yourself. Practice recognizing when this happens, so that you can accept it in that moment, then let it pass. You can literally talk to yourself, ideally in your head if you’re not on your own saying, I recognize this, but now I’m moving on as it doesn’t serve me. ### 4. Write it Down No matter how focused you’re and well practiced with compartmentalization techniques, thoughts and ideas will still pop into your head. To prevent these thoughts from repeating themselves, write them down by keeping a small notepad with you at all times. Just a word or two is needed so as not to distract you from what you’re currently working on. You can then move on with what you’re doing, knowing you’ve recognized this thought. By doing this, you stop the repeating thought in your head by acknowledging it with the action of note-taking. ### 5. Simplify What You’re Working on at Any One Time At work or at home, some requests or projects can at times seem overwhelming. When the task is large or complex, it’s hard to know where to start. This feeling of being overwhelmed triggers stress, and you naturally start doubting yourself. You think how you can possibly get this done with everything else going on in your life. How do you solve this? You simplify everything. This doesn’t mean the request has just become simple and easy to do, but you break it down into more straightforward tasks by compartmentalizing them. If a project has multiple tasks, group them into different compartments or areas to break it down and name these areas. Then pick an area and move through each task one by one. If a task is too hard or complex, break it down again into smaller tasks until you can do them. Focus on one area at a time. You’ll never complete all your tasks in one go, so why worry about them? Each time you complete a task, you’re one step closer from completing them all. ### 6. Focus on What Only You Can Control Distracting thoughts or the actions of those around can often throw you off course either physically or mentally. Being able to compartmentalize allows you to [focus](https://www.lifehack.org/how-to-focus) on what you can control at that moment and not let others move you into a stressful place or distract you. Any external triggers like a driver with road rage, a rude pedestrian or a rude comment from a work colleague, remind yourself you can control how you can react at that moment. One technique to help with moving on is showing gratitude in these situations. Sounds unusual, but let me explain: A rude pedestrian is crossing the road at the wrong time, which causes you to slam your breaks on and get stuck at a red light. Rather than let the stress build-up, simply say thank you for doing that as this has helped me improve my focus for the journey ahead. It may have even prevented something more serious from happening further on in your journey. By merely saying thank you and seeing the positive in the situation, it immediately reduces your stress levels and allows the situation to pass by. ### 7. Group Everything You Do Under Your Goals Like the visualization technique where you take yourself on a journey in your mind and group everything into compartments, you can do the same with your physical actions. For every action you plan to take, align it with a goal you’ve set for yourself whether that’s for work, personal or relationships. By doing this, you’re compartmentalizing in the physical world to allow you to stay focused and in control. Compartmentalizing your goals also makes sure you’re working on what is bringing you the most value and getting you to your goals faster. Now with this approach in place, if you’re tempted to work on something that doesn’t align with your goals, you can say no to it. ### 8. Create Time Barriers Creating time barriers has multiple advantages to managing stress, your workload, and how productive you’re. Designating time for yourself, when there are no [work distractions](https://www.lifehack.org/802571/distractions-at-work), social media or any other type of distraction that might elevate stress levels is vital for managing life in general. Everyone will have different times of the day when you can do this, but for example, blocking out 6 am – 7 am every morning for exercise, reading time or [[meditation]] is a fantastic way to start the day. To do this, you need to do two things: Plan your week every week and place this me-time in your diary and ideally what you want to do during this time, so you don’t waste it. Then share with those you’re close too when you’re doing this and why. Be open about why as they then can help you make sure you keep these times slots free. ### 9. Set Rules for Yourself Look at the behaviors that could create stress, lack of focus or put yourself in situations that don’t serve you. Then create rules to either prevent you from acting this way or help you recognise the situations that make you behave this way. Sounds like being back at school, but here are some examples: You only work on a particular type of work between set hours as that’s when you’re most productive. Or between the hours of 9 am and 11 am on a Saturday, you do nothing but play with your children, no email, jobs around the house as the two don’t mix well. Creating these rules for yourself quickly turns them into habits and then reminders are no longer needed. ### 10. Schedule a Time For Checking Emails Having 24/7 access to work emails can negatively impact your ability to compartmentalize. They’re a stress inducer and never let you truly relax and focus on your home life once away from work. The one sure way to fix this is once you’ve finished work is stop doing the ad hoc checks of your inbox. You may feel like you’re making it easier for yourself by checking email in the evenings, but the later in the evening you check, the longer it will take you to switch off and have a relaxing evening and peaceful sleep. Set a deadline for when you’ll check your emails for the last time that day, ideally when you’re still at the office. You must make sure you have a few hours left in the evening, so you can say goodbye to emails until the next day! You can also turn off notifications on your mobile to prevent the temptation to check your inbox. It only takes a few clicks to turn these on and off. If you can’t turn off notifications, then leave your mobile in a different room each evening, so you’re not tempted, ### 11. Recognize What’s Really Important vs What’s Urgent Whether you love your job or hate it, work can spill into other aspects of your life at home and on holiday in some cases. Even when you’re working, there is a constant stream of requests coming your way, and knowing the difference between what’s urgent and what’s important is critical when it comes to managing stress levels. For example, emails are nearly always a request to respond with some information or perform some action or response. These are often treated as urgent because over the years, we’ve become accustomed to always responding to emails quickly. For the majority of the time, emails may seem urgent, but few of them are important. Recognize what’s important versus urgent and then work on those important emails first as these will have a more significant impact. When a request comes in, whether that is an email or any other request for your time, ask yourself do I need to respond to this now. Can it wait, is it more important than what I’m doing at this moment? You can also put yourself in the requester’s shoes and think if they don’t get a response for another day, will that make much of a difference? The Bottom Line To reduce stress and be more present with those you love, practicing these techniques is critical. The more you practice them, the quicker they become ingrained as habits, and your overwhelming feeling of control will increase. Compartmentalizing is a well-practiced approach to [manage what life throws at you](https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/7-effective-time-management-tips-maximize-your-productivity.html) in a more manageable way that works for you. The more control and focus you can create in the present moment will result in not only less stress, but improved productivity and more quality time. Be prepared to adapt these approaches for your own situation, but the principles and expected results should remain the same # Mastering Productivity: The Art of Compartmentalizing Your Work for Success [BEYOND WORDS LINGUISTIC SERVICES](https://fr.linkedin.com/company/beyond-words-linguistic-services?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_publisher-author-card)![BEYOND WORDS LINGUISTIC SERVICES](https://static.licdn.com/aero-v1/sc/h/cs8pjfgyw96g44ln9r7tct85f ### BEYOND WORDS LINGUISTIC SERVICES Published Oct 20, 2023 In today's fast-paced and demanding work environment, whether you're a freelancer, a solopreneur, or the founder of a small or large company, the ability to compartmentalise your working time by priority is critical. When it comes to productivity and success, this skill can be a game changer. Let's look at why this practice is important and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine. ### The Power of Compartmentalisation Compartmentalisation is the art of dividing your work into distinct segments, each dedicated to a specific task or project. It's about creating mental boundaries that allow you to focus more effectively, avoid distractions, and ultimately boost your overall productivity. ### 1. Prioritisation One of the core benefits of compartmentalisation is that it forces you to prioritise your tasks. When you allocate specific time blocks for different activities, you're more likely to tackle high-priority tasks first. This not only ensures that your most important work gets done but also eliminates the stress of constantly shifting between multiple tasks. ### 2. Focus and Flow Compartmentalizing your work helps you enter a state of flow more easily. When you immerse yourself in a single task for a dedicated period, you're more likely to reach that elusive state of deep concentration, where creativity and productivity flourish. This enhanced focus enables you to work more efficiently and produce higher-quality results. ### 3. Improved Time Management Compartmentalisation also improves time management. By designating specific time slots for various responsibilities, you can better plan your day and make the most of your available hours. It eliminates the chaos of constantly juggling multiple tasks and provides a structured framework for your workday. ### Implementing Compartmentalization Now that we understand the importance of compartmentalization, let's discuss how to implement this strategy in your work routine. ### 1. Set Clear Goals Before you start compartmentalizing your work, define your goals. What are the most important tasks you need to accomplish? What is your top priority? Setting clear objectives will help you allocate your time effectively. ### 2. Create a Schedule Establish a daily or weekly schedule that outlines when you will work on specific tasks. For instance, you might designate mornings for creative work, afternoons for administrative tasks, and evenings for personal development or family time. Stick to this schedule as closely as possible. ### 3. Minimize Distractions Identify and eliminate potential distractions during each compartmentalized block of time. Turn off email notifications, put your phone on silent, and inform your colleagues or family members about your focused work periods. The fewer distractions you encounter, the more productive you'll be. ### 4. Take Breaks Incorporate short breaks between your work compartments. These breaks allow you to recharge, stretch, and refocus. Use techniques like the Pomodoro technique to work for 25-30 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. This can enhance your productivity and prevent burnout. ### 5. Reflect and Adjust Regularly assess your compartmentalization strategy. Are you achieving your goals? Are there tasks that consistently disrupt your schedule? Be flexible and adjust your approach as needed to optimize your productivity. ### Conclusion Whether you're a freelancer, a solopreneur, or the founder of a company, compartmentalizing your work according to priority is a valuable skill that can lead to increased productivity and success. By setting clear goals, creating a schedule, minimizing distractions, taking breaks, and reflecting on your approach, you can unlock the power of compartmentalization and make the most of your valuable time. Remember, mastering this art takes practice, so be patient with yourself as you develop this essential skill. Your future self will thank you for it.