Deep Dive Productivity 3: Change The Pace

We can learn a tip from a top athlete when he or she is training: to improve overall performance, use intervals. Intervals? Yes: a high performance burst of (say) running followed by a 'rest' at a much lower speed (but continuing to run). Overall the output is much higher than if a moderate speed had been used throughout.

The principle can be used when we are 'working'. It's tempting to choose a moderate rate, one which gets some things done, allows a bit of conversation and allows us to feel it was a working day. Often though, the real vital few, the issues which would cause the breakthrough never quite get done. Try interval bursts. Really go for it for 45 minutes. Total focus, total application, no distractions, really attacking those big issues. Then get up and stretch, sip some water and adopt a more gentle pace for 30 minutes. Then go for it again.

Train hard and you'll be able to make those high performance intervals 90 minutes in length. In between take a bit of a break. You'll be able to go home on time and you will sleep well.

1. Deep Dive Productivity 1: The Forward View
2. Deep Dive Productivity 2: The Bigger Picture
3. How To Lessen E-Mail Pain.