7-Second Thoughts November 22, 2024

How to work less

There is a big push now, especially post-Covid, to work less.

It is a lovely sentiment and spot on for our times, but …

It is hard work

To work less, that is

And here’s why, or at least my best guess as to why:

If you aren’t focused enough during the times that you are working

Walking away becomes that much harder

I can’t take a break now. I didn’t do enough!

See if this helps:

The psychology behind setting a timer with regard to the Pomodoro Technique

In my personal experience

Is to remember to add a sense of urgency

To the work we are doing right now

So as to dispel the delusion

That we’ll have time later

The delusion stemming from the fact that none of us possess the power to know

When or if “later” will ever come.

On the other hand:

When we buckle down as best we can

For a finite amount of time

And use an equal amount of discipline

To take a 5-minute break

Also a finite amount of time

We establish a clear separation

Between working

And not working.

And here’s where I might be going off the rails:

What if we all set a timer for 25 minutes

Sometime today

To play

And only play.

I’m here,

Kevin

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