Comments on: Why Don’t You See What You Can Do in an Hour? http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/ Connecting People With Technology Sun, 13 May 2012 07:51:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Benjamin http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-29869 Benjamin Tue, 18 May 2010 13:50:59 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-29869 Thanks Brian. I think part of the technique is tricking yourself into getting started. Once you are in a 'flow state' all is good, but we seem to spend a huge about of time not starting things! Thanks Brian. I think part of the technique is tricking yourself into getting started. Once you are in a ‘flow state’ all is good, but we seem to spend a huge about of time not starting things!

]]> By: Brian http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-29858 Brian Tue, 18 May 2010 03:27:41 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-29858 I find taking a little bite at a time works incredibly well when trying to write. Even if I don't feel ready or prepared, I start to type anyways, and force my brain to think. Over time, the stream that is produced is improved considerable, and I'm sure the technique can be applied to almost anything! Just get out there and do it, do something, and you'll certainly improve, and feel more accomplished for it. I find taking a little bite at a time works incredibly well when trying to write. Even if I don’t feel ready or prepared, I start to type anyways, and force my brain to think. Over time, the stream that is produced is improved considerable, and I’m sure the technique can be applied to almost anything! Just get out there and do it, do something, and you’ll certainly improve, and feel more accomplished for it.

]]> By: David Black http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-25039 David Black Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:00:47 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-25039 Finding a way to get over procrasinating can be very difficult. It is so easy to sit there and say "I will do it in a minute". This is a good tip to help you get through that intial feeling of, 'I can do it later'. Also just a little something that I do in my working day to help my productivity is do 2 hours work and then take a 15 min minute break. I read it somewhere and since I started doing it, I feel as though I can work more consistently through the day and have less moments where I think 'Maybe I will do that later'. Finding a way to get over procrasinating can be very difficult. It is so easy to sit there and say “I will do it in a minute”. This is a good tip to help you get through that intial feeling of, ‘I can do it later’.

Also just a little something that I do in my working day to help my productivity is do 2 hours work and then take a 15 min minute break. I read it somewhere and since I started doing it, I feel as though I can work more consistently through the day and have less moments where I think ‘Maybe I will do that later’.

]]> By: Too Late To Learn? | redcatco blog http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-8189 Too Late To Learn? | redcatco blog Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:53:09 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-8189 [...] haven’t specifically blogged about time boxing (although it is the idea behind “…see what you can do in an hour“). Setting aside a fixed chunk of time enables you to focus on getting something [...] [...] haven’t specifically blogged about time boxing (although it is the idea behind “…see what you can do in an hour“). Setting aside a fixed chunk of time enables you to focus on getting something [...]

]]> By: Benjamin http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-853 Benjamin Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:54:15 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-853 Marianne, that is a good little hack. It is much easier to get started if you are coming back to the 'middle' of something, rather than a rather intimidating blank page. Marianne, that is a good little hack. It is much easier to get started if you are coming back to the ‘middle’ of something, rather than a rather intimidating blank page.

]]> By: Marianne http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-852 Marianne Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:08:01 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-852 Thanks for a wonderful article! I am recently working on something similar. I have three simultaneous writing projects competing for my attention and time, and being able to balance them all has been a bit of a challenge! Procrastination has been ongoing! On another blog, someone recommended that if you are breaking the task down to bits and pieces, leave off in the middle of what you are working on. In addition to writing, I'm also a programmer. I have learned over the last month to use that technique. It could be in the middle of a paragraph, in the middle of a subroutine, or in the middle of fixing a bug. I then make a note of it on an index card, tidy up my desk, and leave that card on the desk so that it's the first thing I read when I come back the next day. I have found myself feeilng less guilty about not completing a task, and, actually looking forward to working back on it, even if it's the huge elephant! These tips do work. It took a bit of training, but it works like a charm, and procrastination just goes to sleep when you're applying these techniques. Thanks for a wonderful article!

I am recently working on something similar. I have three simultaneous writing projects competing for my attention and time, and being able to balance them all has been a bit of a challenge! Procrastination has been ongoing!

On another blog, someone recommended that if you are breaking the task down to bits and pieces, leave off in the middle of what you are working on.

In addition to writing, I’m also a programmer. I have learned over the last month to use that technique. It could be in the middle of a paragraph, in the middle of a subroutine, or in the middle of fixing a bug.

I then make a note of it on an index card, tidy up my desk, and leave that card on the desk so that it’s the first thing I read when I come back the next day. I have found myself feeilng less guilty about not completing a task, and, actually looking forward to working back on it, even if it’s the huge elephant!

These tips do work. It took a bit of training, but it works like a charm, and procrastination just goes to sleep when you’re applying these techniques.

]]> By: Benjamin http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-740 Benjamin Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:35:01 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-740 Hello Mary and Izabel - I should provide some explanation about the frogs and elephants for newer readers (and I have added a note into the post - thank you for prompting me). The "swallowing frogs" image can turn the stomach a little! It comes from Brian Tracy's excellent book, "Eat That Frog" - see <a href="http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/watch-out-for-the-frogs/" rel="nofollow">this post on Watch out for the frogs</a>. It is a powerful image, but feel free to substitute it for tax returns if that works for you! Often times we can feel that we are exactly in that place, sat in front of the huge elephant with a knife and fork. The manageable way to chug through chores is to break them down in to small pieces - apologies to the elephant, please don't eat one. Iza, you are right that the language we use is important - it can through up barriers or ease obstacles. I do try to avoid being bland, I hope that I didn't upset your stomach too much and that you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed the comments. Hello Mary and Izabel – I should provide some explanation about the frogs and elephants for newer readers (and I have added a note into the post – thank you for prompting me).

The “swallowing frogs” image can turn the stomach a little! It comes from Brian Tracy’s excellent book, “Eat That Frog” – see this post on Watch out for the frogs. It is a powerful image, but feel free to substitute it for tax returns if that works for you!

Often times we can feel that we are exactly in that place, sat in front of the huge elephant with a knife and fork. The manageable way to chug through chores is to break them down in to small pieces – apologies to the elephant, please don’t eat one.

Iza, you are right that the language we use is important – it can through up barriers or ease obstacles. I do try to avoid being bland, I hope that I didn’t upset your stomach too much and that you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed the comments.

]]> By: Izabael http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-735 Izabael Mon, 31 Dec 2007 03:15:31 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-735 That was a most thoughtful and interesting read. It seems to me that the very words we use can help transform and relax our internal states, but the imagery thrown around here made the challenges worse by the choice of words: "Swallowing frogs" is not a very enticing image. The image is worse than anything I have to do. I'd rather do taxes than swallow frogs. Neither is "taking a bite of the elephant." Yuck. How about "chugging through your chores" ? Even that bland statement is more empowering than imagining myself with a knife and fork in front of a huge elephant. *iza That was a most thoughtful and interesting read.

It seems to me that the very words we use can help transform and relax our internal states, but the imagery thrown around here made the challenges worse by the choice of words:

“Swallowing frogs” is not a very enticing image. The image is worse than anything I have to do. I’d rather do taxes than swallow frogs.

Neither is “taking a bite of the elephant.” Yuck. How about “chugging through your chores” ? Even that bland statement is more empowering than imagining myself with a knife and fork in front of a huge elephant.

*iza

]]> By: Mary Jaksch of goodlifezen.com http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-731 Mary Jaksch of goodlifezen.com Sun, 30 Dec 2007 21:31:59 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-731 I enjoyed your post! To start with the 'frog' doesn't work that well for me because it shuts down my creativity. The way I cope with that is by allowing myself one hour of writing (my passion!) and then making myself nibble at the frog. My frog is usually everything to do with tax. But I find that once I start and keep going for an hour, I become immersed and the work begins to flow. I enjoyed your post!
To start with the ‘frog’ doesn’t work that well for me because it shuts down my creativity.
The way I cope with that is by allowing myself one hour of writing (my passion!) and then making myself nibble at the frog.
My frog is usually everything to do with tax. But I find that once I start and keep going for an hour, I become immersed and the work begins to flow.

]]> By: Justin http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-724 Justin Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:27:45 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-724 Kudos! Great article. I am a TERRIBLE procrastinator, almost to the point of not getting anything done. I'm going to try this at work tomorrow and I'm sure it will work. Kudos! Great article. I am a TERRIBLE procrastinator, almost to the point of not getting anything done. I’m going to try this at work tomorrow and I’m sure it will work.

]]> By: Benjamin http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-722 Benjamin Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:51:20 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-722 Thank you Patricia and Nemo! Over 10,000 people have read this post now. I'm enjoying the stories of how people are beating procrastination! Thank you Patricia and Nemo! Over 10,000 people have read this post now. I’m enjoying the stories of how people are beating procrastination!

]]> By: nemo http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-720 nemo Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:59:42 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-720 very good!!! Excellent !!! very good!!! Excellent !!!

]]> By: Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-717 Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker Fri, 28 Dec 2007 06:39:50 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-717 Thanks for the tip about the frog. I like your approach to the problem of procrastination. Thanks for the tip about the frog. I like your approach to the problem of procrastination.

]]> By: Benjamin http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-626 Benjamin Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:59:21 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-626 Thank you Jenny. Procrastination is increasingly common and it really does hold us back. I hope the technique works well for you! Thank you Jenny. Procrastination is increasingly common and it really does hold us back. I hope the technique works well for you!

]]> By: Jennifer Mannion http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-472 Jennifer Mannion Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:41:04 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-472 What a GREAT article! I also recommend taking mini-steps toward your goal. I am guilty of procrastination and of not "Just doing it" and blocking all else out. Excellent advice I look forward to following and getting stuff done! : ) Gratefully, Jenny What a GREAT article! I also recommend taking mini-steps toward your goal. I am guilty of procrastination and of not “Just doing it” and blocking all else out. Excellent advice I look forward to following and getting stuff done! : ) Gratefully, Jenny

]]> By: October Web Roundup « Outside of the Triangle http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-448 October Web Roundup « Outside of the Triangle Wed, 31 Oct 2007 08:25:27 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-448 [...] team can limit their productivity. Benjamin Ellis has posted his thoughts on the power of focus in Why Don’t You See What You Can Do in an Hour? Meanwhile Stacey Douglas has posted on the limits of multitasking. Reading her post put me in mind [...] [...] team can limit their productivity. Benjamin Ellis has posted his thoughts on the power of focus in Why Don’t You See What You Can Do in an Hour? Meanwhile Stacey Douglas has posted on the limits of multitasking. Reading her post put me in mind [...]

]]> By: Galba Bright of Tune up your EQ http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-435 Galba Bright of Tune up your EQ Sun, 28 Oct 2007 12:39:11 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-435 Hello Ben: It's nice to smile and laugh whilst I learn. Thanks Hello Ben:

It’s nice to smile and laugh whilst I learn. Thanks

]]> By: Benjamin http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-430 Benjamin Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:05:00 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-430 As long as it wasn't a gnat or a butterfly Galba!!! ;) As long as it wasn’t a gnat or a butterfly Galba!!! ;)

]]> By: Galba Bright of Tune up your EQ http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-404 Galba Bright of Tune up your EQ Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:35:10 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-404 Hello Ben: Excuse me whilst I clear a frog from my throat :). I agree with this approach and use a variant from time to time. I like your take on the interaction between the mind and real life productivity. Hello Ben:

Excuse me whilst I clear a frog from my throat :). I agree with this approach and use a variant from time to time. I like your take on the interaction between the mind and real life productivity.

]]> By: David Daly http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-375 David Daly Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:48:12 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-375 I think this makes a lot of sense – I used to call it the “baby steps” approach: attacking a large item of work in small chunks and rewarding yourself for whatever you achieve in a specific amount of time. You are absolutely right that normally it is amazing what you can get done in a relatively short time frame. I also find it really helps to “get me started” on something that I have been putting off. At the end of the day if you make some progress with a task, that will always be better than nothing! I think this makes a lot of sense – I used to call it the “baby steps” approach: attacking a large item of work in small chunks and rewarding yourself for whatever you achieve in a specific amount of time. You are absolutely right that normally it is amazing what you can get done in a relatively short time frame. I also find it really helps to “get me started” on something that I have been putting off. At the end of the day if you make some progress with a task, that will always be better than nothing!

]]> By: Margie at Limited Edition Foods http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/comment-page-1/#comment-366 Margie at Limited Edition Foods Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:37:13 +0000 http://redcatco.com/blog/productivity/why-dont-you-see-what-you-can-do-in-an-hour/#comment-366 Excellent, excellent idea ... when I think back, I have done variations of this in the past on large documents but did not articulate it to myself this way. Thanks for making a post that makes a great point in a way that is easy to remember. Excellent, excellent idea … when I think back, I have done variations of this in the past on large documents but did not articulate it to myself this way. Thanks for making a post that makes a great point in a way that is easy to remember.

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