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✋🏼5 arguments why (and how) you need to use Time To Process to skyrocket whatever you're up to.

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✋🏼5 arguments why (and how) you need to use Time To Process to skyrocket whatever you're up to.

Marcin Konkel
Nov 11, 2022
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✋🏼5 arguments why (and how) you need to use Time To Process to skyrocket whatever you're up to.

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Thomas Beach. Bali, Indonesia. © Marcin Konkel . All rights reserved.

I was never into quick reading. I also never understood competitions to read X number of books a year. 

What interested me was immersion. 

Then I discovered Deep Work and started studying what makes a difference when embracing the new and creating things that make a difference. 

🕒 What is Time To Process? 

It's the time necessary for you to digest a piece of information or a situation. It's not universal; it's individual and depends on your nervous system. 

It's also characterised by being free from other's thoughts - be it music, a book or an article.

Do you remember those great ideas that came when you were showering? 

This is you using Time To Process. 

In the shower, you cannot read a book, it's also hard to listen to music or talk with anyone.

In these moments you are alone with your thoughts and magical things come to happen.

💡How to use it?

1/ Self retreat

Once a year I go on holidays with myself. I do this to process what's going on in my life, stop and reflect. 

A week does the trick to refocus on what's essential and escape tunnel vision and blind-habitual living. 

2/ Book time for doing nothing at work

In every role, there is more work to do than time. Always. 

By booking 1-3 hours per week (in 20-30 min slots) to be idle, you increase the serendipity of making breakthrough thoughts that solve real problems.

You stop using the same solutions to different scenarios as a reflex and start getting creative.

Go for a walk without your phone. Sit down with a good coffee and look outside the window. Meditate. Whatever works for you.

3/ Book slots for Deep Work

Book time for uninterrupted, focused work without ANY distractions. Start with 2-3 hour slots. Devote them to a single complex and creative task you want to nail.

Read to learn more:

  • https://www.calnewport.com/books/deep-work/

  • https://betterhumans.pub/deep-work-done-in-pairs-an-experiment-afa07c5cdc58

4/ Debrief your day

At the end of each day leave 30 min to run a list of things left to do.

Next to them, put a note about what is left and what is the nearest step. 

Your brain won't bother you with reminders as you already noted down what is to be done; thus no need to remember. 

You will start your next day without anxiety freeing your mind to be creative or rest and use Time To Process.

5/ Leave unscheduled time

When you book your day with meetings, you already programme your mind and leave little space for what might appear.

Instead, don't book any meetings for 1 day during the week and when that day comes - embrace what shows up:

  • an idea to brainstorm with your colleagues

  • a deep work session on that problem you have wanted to solve for weeks

  • a new idea for a workshop

  • tidying your roadmap or inbox

  • ideas on how to automate your work

Whatever comes in the moment - focus on that. 

If the above was interesting you might also enjoy my essay on "How to regenerate at work (not after)?"

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✋🏼5 arguments why (and how) you need to use Time To Process to skyrocket whatever you're up to.

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