Deep work session #8 (3 hours)

As predicted…I kept feeling the need to check my phone or pull away and do something else.

In the end, I did better by setting short time frames to focus on work and the reward myself with a small break. 

So, I guess there will be times when focusing for 3 hours at a time will be easy, and other days when it will be more difficult. On those difficult days I could use the Pomodoro technique instead (25 mins + 5 minute break).

The lessons from reading Atomic Habits by James Clear have really stuck with me when it comes doing to important work. Here’s a quick list:

• Let go of perfect – turning up is the important factor for reinforcing your identity.
• The two minute rule – just do two minutes.
• Never miss twice – Miss a day? Turn up the next day. Two misses in a row = a new habit forming. 
• Don’t put a zero in – even if you do less than what you’d like to do, don’t put up a zero.
• Focus on the action rather than the goal – inputs vs outputs – what I can control vs what I can’t
• Don’t break the chain
• Look at my performance and be proud of the small changes I’m making

In the case of today…I may not have worked a perfect 3 hour deep work session, but I did turn up, I did make progress, and I did it without perfection holding me back!

That’s enough for today. 

Next deep work session is scheduled in for Thursday 3rd June – I’d like to get up early and be at my desk for 7am. Let’s see if I can do it!

Onwards!