Procrastination Killer… Introducing ‘Power Sessions’
Hello People,
Its funny I promised a second post about procrastination and what I was doing to avoid it and make my time more productive and then I disappeared. Kind of looks like I was procrastinating like Lisa said in one of her comments on my last post but that is not the case. I delayed the post and here are some reasons [excuses 
]
- I am not a productivity guru/expert [personally I suck at it]
- Wanted a really informative post so that I could post as an expert [realized I can't pose as someone I am not]
- Wanted to research my technique to give you a detailed insight
- Also wanted to double check if any one else was doing the same and if I was the originator of this technique.
Well, here are the findings. I couldn’t find information relevant to what I am doing to avoid distractions and I think I’m pretty much the originator, but then again I think it is so simple, no one realizes its actually very effective and can be called a ‘technique’. Although I am still getting some bells ringing in my head that I actually read about it somewhere few years back but have now forgotten the source. So folks, I don’t wanna claim that its actually invented by me. Heck it might be so simple you may think its not a technique at all.
Introducing…. *Drum Rolls* Power Sessions:
Now there wasn’t any need of giving this particular thing a ‘name’ but I think when something is given a name, it carries a certain significance and symbolizes an attribute, triggering our mind to devote particular attention over something and I think it sounds kinda cool too for example, instead of saying I’m gonna focus on [insert task here] now, it sounds way better when I say I am having a Power Session (wouldn’t you agree?)
So here is what a Power Session is in a nutshell:
- You pick up a task
- You shut as many distractions as humanly possible
- You set up a time limit to accomplish it
- You devote your entire being to it
What? But Maddi this is so simple. I see you are disappointed with the solution, but I promise you it is not as easy as it seems. It is SIMPLE but not EASY if you know what I mean. All you need is a to-do list and prioritization, first things first. Starting from the most important task, you pick one and follow the steps outlined above.
Comparatively, I’ve tried both. Simply having a to-do list and then picking one task at a time did have some good effects on my productivity and I managed to get a lot of stuff done, which I wouldn’t have if I didn’t have a well planned, prioritized list. But simply integrating a ‘Power Session’ with that list massively multiplied my tasks taken care of and increased productivity.
So yea, here is the promised tip from the last Blog post and I hope you found it informative. I’d like discussion about it in the comments to be honest because I really wanna know what you guys do to boost productivity and get the most out of your time online.
Like always, If you like what you read, please leave a comment and spread the love by sharing it with your friends by using the digg/facebook/stumbleupon buttons at the top of this post or simple retweet it.
Maddi Murtaza
Hi Maddi,
Power Sessions huh? I need to get started on my ebook and I need a few Power Sessions. I get all ready to start and something always and I mean always distracts me!!
For instance, I get to the computer all ready to at least write the table of contents and….and….and there goes the Skype and BAM!! talking to my friend all day! Got nothing done, but had a great time!! Great times dont get the bills paid, though! =(
I am gonna start my Power Sessions in the morning, get up at the crack of dawn and I am going to try your way and see if I get at least the contents done. I will just get r done!! So there!
Just one hour….. no Skype, emails or Twitter!!
OMG! That’s like leaving the cell phone at home!!
Thanks for setting me straight and also trying this out on yourself before submitting it to the public! Sounds like a great idea….let’s see if I can do it!!
Talk to you soon and as always, thank you for your very insightful posts!!
Lisa~
Hey Lisa. Yup absolutely! that is like leaving the cell phone at home and it isn’t easy, specially when you are starting but once you get used to the idea that a Power Session does not allow any distractions and that is the whole idea behind one, you’ll start to get comfy with it. Let me know how it goes with your power sessions and if they help in writing your eBook.
I am still not very comfortable with it, but slowly getting in the swing of things and getting better at it. Everytime I feel like, Man this is Bull and I wanna check my emails and want check out who is online, I remind myself of how much more productive I will be If I master the art of Power Sessions and in order to do that, I have to get better at it and keep doing it – it calms me down and gives my frustration to check emails a smack on the head and an angry look
Do post back your progress, I wanna know if it helps and we can spread it in the community.
Maddi M.
Hi Maddi,
I like your idea of Power Sessions too. The net can be so distracting in so many ways! It is so easy to start on something and find yourself checking Facebook or an email client before you even realize it!
Focus, focus, focus I suppose that is the keyword here. If using a Power Session helps to get it done then I’ll be adopting that idea
Bottom line is we will never succeed in this business nor any other if we do not focus and get action steps taken in that direction.
Your Power Session idea can get us focused to take these actions steps!
Thanks Maddi…I’ll be back,
Kathy
I’m glad you like the idea Kathy and thanks for dropping by here, I’m sure you’ll get M-addicted soon and will be a regular here
Yea one of the reasons, I named it Power Session is because the word ‘focus’ is being over-used and has kind of lost its charm, when you say to yourself you are having a Power Session, it kind of gives the extra edge and combine that with forcefully kicking the distractions out just because you are having a Power Session, You’ve got yourself a winner.
Let me know how it goes for you and I’d love to know the results.
Maddi M.
Great Maddi – never scoff at simple! It’s what keeps the world sane and manageable.
This is more or less the method I’m using at present, to try and fit some marketing into an otherwise full schedule – without neglecting the kids, my wife, or my own sanity and wellbeing.
So, yeah, it’s working! (At least as far as you’d call me sane
Morten
Thanks Morten. Its funny most people don’t realize [or don't want to] that most of our daily life problems have very simple solutions if only you implement them but pretty much all the time we see people looking for a [complicated] solution or a Magic Pill. And believe me both of these do them no good.
Here is to getting more stuff done!
Maddi M.
Hi Maddi,
I completely agree the distractions can be a killer!
I recently bought a little £1.99 kitchen timer that buzzes after the time I set expires, this is helping me lots so your suggestion of setting a time limit really does work.
Working against the clock makes me more productive.
Sally
Hello Sally,
Yes kitchen timers are quite effective. I know quite a few people who prefer kitchen timers over others and as far as setting a time limit on your power sessions is concerned, that really is the key to an effective power session. The best quote I ever heard about time management is Parkinson’s Law that states ‘Work expands to fill the time available’. How true and profound is that?
We see Parkinson’s Law at work almost in every activity of our lives, given a shorter time frame we normally accomplish more then we would without a time limit at all. Dont you think?
So yes, no wonder working against the clock makes you more productive
Maddi M
Hmmm, I can see another e-book on the way…
“Power Sessions with Maddi”
One more product to add to your stash.
You know what Michael? I was thinking the same
Not an eBook though, but I can definitely see a report and I definitely like
the name you suggested lol
Let me know how it goes if you ever try Power Sessions and thanks for the heads up
in the email.
Maddi M
Yay!! So now I’ve got my picture in my comments. Ok to be honest, some of you may be disappointed and I can’t do much about it. One of my subscribers thought I was a girl and he unsubscribed when he saw my picture
Can’t help it can I?
By the way, the Blog is getting a new set of banners too. Would love to know what you think of it.
Thanks everyone for your support. I really appreciate it.
Maddi M
Hi Maddi,
I’ve been trying to do what you describe in this post with my “To Do” list when ever I can, but I haven’t really been strict enough with it and I don’t do it often enough.
I’m definitely going to start doing at least two “Power Sessions” a day, and I love the phrase you’ve come up with to describe it, and I think writing down on my my list of daily tasks that I’m going to do a Power Session will make it more effective… especially as I know that when the timer sounds I will have definitely made some progress towards my end goal.
I’ve been using a free app called Cool Timer – ( http://www.harmonyhollow.net/cool_timer.shtml ) to countdown the time for me, it has some fun sounds for the buzzer on it too that often make me jump out of my skin when it goes off.
I might buy one of those kitchen timers like Sally mentioned above too, as I think it might be more effective to have it in front of me seeing the time go down, rather than on my desktop running in the background.
Thanks for the great post mate!
Paul
Hey Paul and Welcome to my blog. Cheers for liking the name I’ve come up with, I knew there was a kick to it
yea Power Sessions are the way to go man, specially for us Entrepreneurs where we have to deal with so much [not that I'm complaining]
Kitchen timer sounds good, I might try one of those too.
Thanks for coming and I’ll see you around mate.
Maddi M
Power Sessions – WOW! and an OUCH!
They take the life out of you… Making the To-Do-List is not difficult, Prioritizing is also not bad. But chucking unnecessary work, and menial tasks which can be easily be handled by delegating are a killer.
I still wonder how to get one to do their menial tasks and not be made a victim. I guess a bit of complaining is justifiable in this business
But, one thing I have learnt time and again, is to be proactive in order to make my power sessions more productive. Think of any problems that could slow me down, have my solutions ready before hand. So nothing can break that momentum. And work according to the clock. Set yourself a time pacer. Gets you into the groove.
Thanks for a great post. Funny how we forgo the simplest of things which we experience in our daily lives.