TIMEBOXING, Getting Stuff Done In Less Time: Time Management On Steroids

Lack of Time? – This is Timeboxing, and here’s why it works so well.

People often come up with an array of reasons (sometimes excuses) as to why they don’t get things done. This is why I try to point people to a strategy called timeboxing..

This works for anyone..

But first, whatever it is you are trying to do, is it just an idea, or is it something you really HAVE to do? In other words, is it a wish, a should, or is it something you absolutely MUST do?

Must-do – Tends to get done

Would like to – Tends to be put off to some later date or never.

I wish I could. – This is really a non-starter.

Assuming you “Must Do” something, let’s look at what holds most people back from doing it.

1 “I don’t have time” – this is the most common

2 “I don’t have the money – this is quite common

Both of the above statements contradict the “Must Do” statement, because if you absolutely must do something, you will find the time and money to do it.

It’s not that you don’t have the time or money; you don’t have a strategy. And this is the main problem with getting anything done. People don’t get things done because they spend too much time doing something else.

Let’s examine the timebox strategy.

Things often don’t get done because there is no specific deadline. And often, when we set a deadline, it’s too large, so we take our time and slowly make the task fit within the allotted time.

I gave myself no deadline whatsoever to write my first book, and it took me a year to complete. Now, using this timeboxing method, I can write a 30,000-word book in under 2 months.

So, how does it work?

Step 1. Block off 2 hours of time in a quiet room. Use the timer on your phone.

Step 2. Start work on your “Must Have”

Step 3. Do not stop or get up out of your seat for 2 hours, except for a comfort break. And if you do leave the room, stop the timer, then restart it when you come back.

This means you definitely have a two-hour block to hunker down and get on with it.

This forces you to commit to a strategy of doing for two hours. A 2-hour laser-focused period of work on your “Must Have”

Although this strategy seems straightforward, its effectiveness is substantial. You are training yourself to use your time wisely. You will get more done in those focused two hours than just “hoping & wishing” to get the task done.

Now, you might say to me, “But, I don’t have 2 hours to just laser focus on my ‘Must Have’… and this is why you need this strategy, because if you don’t have a spare 2 hours, it’s because you don’t have a strategy.

If you did this for 2 hours every day, it would be very hard not to achieve your goal. I created eight 30,000-word books using it, as well as many other co-written books, so I am familiar with its effectiveness.

Write down your “Must Have”. Start with one, and start today. Block out 2 hours of undisturbed time and get to work.

Have a great day..

Keith

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