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Bailey Reutzel's avatar

As a freelancer, I sometimes get paid hourly and in keeping my hours, it is wild how quickly I can work.

As a writer, there’s a lot of mind work that’s unfortunately not being tabulated (although I do add on a specific number of hours per project for this), but the work work actually doesn’t take me that long.

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Chris Guillebeau's avatar

Setting clear intentions is so helpful—I feel like I KNOW this but don't always DO it.

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Sophie's avatar

I’m sorry you got hurt again! I hope you will get better soon 🙂. I agree with that purposeful 10 minutes working time. I work better if I think ahead about what I’m going to do/accomplish in certain amount of time. Thanks Chris 🤗

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Melissa Sandfort's avatar

Wow is this a timely post!

Yesterday I had a Deep Magic group. It’s an inner work retreat that takes about three hours. Every time I go on one of these inner journeys, I’m astonished by the quantum leap it creates in my personal growth.

This post explains part of why Deep Magic is so magical: it’s a series of inner meditations that alternate with sharing the insights that arise. Very similar to the structure you describe: going inside and thinking about something, then coming out and sharing. Going in, going out. Going in, going out. This fierce focus and intentionality creates an outcome that is wildly greater than I could ever imagine.

I’ve been struggling with solidifying my new early bedtime, but last night, after the Deep Magic group, I was able to snap back to it with ease, and I have confidence I’m back on track to going to bed on time now.

This post is so helpful in clarifying the power of small, fierce, dedicated time periods of connecting inside, and then coming out to actualize them — whether it’s in actions or in sharing our insights with others.

I’m very excited to take this tool and extend it to my daily life in the way you model in this post.

While I’m super bummed, that the reason this insight arose for you, Chris, is back pain – I’m send healing energy your way! — I appreciate this hard-won technique and want you to know that your pain is not in vain! I’m going to take this information and run with it. I’m looking forward to seeing how it can have a significantly positive impact on my life going forward. Thank you so much for this!

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Chris Guillebeau's avatar

I always love your comments so much, Melissa! Thank you for sharing. 🙏 🙏 🙏

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Melissa Sandfort's avatar

Thanks Chris!! I’m amazed at how often, when I read your posts, they’re exactly what I needed at exactly that time! I’m very grateful for all you share!!

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Encouragement's avatar

I do help you feel better.

Two stories, when I'm in the hospital or at the dentist I like to watch HGTv, putting my focus on that takes away the pain the fear of the procedure and I'm able to enjoy the show 20 30% pain reduction it's crazy. I hope you can work on things that help you feel no pain :-)

Thinking about farmers, hunters, traditional measurements of time 10:15 minutes, most activities would be completed in that time period, you'd have to pay attention for long periods of time but the action itself, is short and focused.

I struggled with exactly the opposite today, and exactly the same thing :-) The rabbit trails of modern life, think you'll continue to do 10 minutes in the future is it making you more productive? Or does it come back to the core, intentionality I'm going to do X for the next 10 minutes and nothing else.

Take away the electronics, how did people work :-) How did people write :)

I don't know if it would help you I did get benefit from inversion tables, they're cheap at the local thrift store, but in any case thoughts and prayers that you feel better soon.

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Reda Rountree (she/her)'s avatar

Wow! We’re really on the same page. Mainly because of Long Covid, ten minutes is how I do anything and everything now, including each edition of my newsletter.

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Erik Lokensgard's avatar

Sorry your back got hurt, hope it feels better soon! Thanks for sharing this hyper pomodoro idea.

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E.lewis@spklewis.com's avatar

It works.l I've done almost the same thing, but every hour. So you forget a micro detail or two by rel-iving the stress and tedium that does't happen every mininut, but rest assured it gathers weight as the day progresses. Thanks for sharing daily life with us.

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Carol Szymanski's avatar

Liquid vitamin D is the secret to no more bronchitis that no GP will ever offer up. Naturopaths will share the secret. Back and knee problems restrict my movement but deep thinking while lounging is a luxury I enjoy luxuriating in.

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Focus On Fewer Coaching's avatar

I love this idea! I have never done as few as 10 minutes but this short, consistent work sessions are one of the things that I do with my coaching clients.

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Julie A.'s avatar

I’ve been struggling to make headway with developing a successful way to accomplish my grading (I’m a HS English teacher) in a timely way. My processing just feels so slow, and I’ve been considering whether it’s an effect of various trauma responses. I’m wondering whether the kind of microdosing with bite-sized tasks could be part of the solution. I’m going to play with this approach. Thanks for sharing!

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

This hack slaps good! Especially when you’re working on something that means a lot and can, thus, be overwhelming. Nibbling at a project by taking bite-sized chunks, aligns with the idea of “go slow to go fast!” I applied this hack yesterday and couldn’t believe how easy the task became. 🙏🏾

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Nikki Lampe-Nalchajian's avatar

Love this, Chris! I’m sorry you discovered it by being in pain. I really like the idea of rolling on the floor in between 10-min work sessions, even if I’m not in pain. I’m going to try it today. Hope you’re back on your feet again soon!

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Paul Miller's avatar

Hope you’re feeling better!

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Andrea La Rose's avatar

Again, you need to give yourself permission to truly rest. To actually do nothing, if you cannot sleep.

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Chris Guillebeau's avatar

I hear you—but I'm also not great at doing nothing. 🤓

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Andrea La Rose's avatar

Chris, Chris, Chris... That's why God invented college radio and podcasts. Try the History of Rock in 500 Songs: https://500songs.com/ or WKCR: https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/story/online-streaming-and-running

I am looking forward to your future post entitled, "I Did Nothing for Three Days and Feel So. Much. Better."

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