Hey — It’s Toffer.
Here’s a list of time-making ideas.
Estimated read time: 3 minutes.
💭 Harajuku moment
If I want real change, I simulate a Harajuku Moment — a beautiful and painful reckoning.1 Every quarter, using Tim Ferriss’ Fear-Setting method, I write down all my fears and the likelihood of them ever happening.
This does two things: (1) I realize that the worst case scenario of most things can be prevented or repaired, (2) The cost of inaction is so terrifying that it turns my to-dos into must-dos.
❌ Fast, Bad, Wrong
This is a writing method by Safi Bahcall that encourages me to write fast, bad, and wrong for my first draft. Writing this newsletter, for instance, was on Apple Notes, done in 10 minutes at the tail end of my morning walk. Instead of trying to learn, plan, or think things though before doing them, I end up just doing.
🤖 Can Ai do better?
Yes, but these are mostly ‘shallow work’ things — non-cognitively demanding, logistical-style tasks, often performed while distracted.2
So every time I get the feeling that SkyNet has taken over, I ask myself, am I doing something Ai can do better? If the answer is ‘no’, I get an ego boost and get encouraged to deep work3. Otherwise, it's an opportunity to terminate, automate, or consolidate.
🥱 Be Bored
I used to dread boredom. Usually this happens when I'm cruising at 30,000 feet with my phone on Airplane mode. But lately, I've found myself eagerly anticipating those moments of quiet. Boredom has become my ticket to an adventure of the mind, where thoughts wander freely. And guess what? Studies show that when we embrace boredom, we unlock our inner creativity. So, whenever I start feeling the itch for stimulation, I simply settle in and let my imagination take flight.
A dotted notebook4 is perfect for these moments because you can also doodle. Apple Notes is my second option for capturing thoughts off-grid.
⏲️ Every second counts
It's not "Make every second count". It's "every second counts".
This sign appears on the kitchen wall numerous times throughout the 2022 TV series 'The Bear'. What makes this show remarkable is its approach: rather than spoon-feeding viewers, the writers encourage us to quietly reflect and unravel the deeper layers of meaning. Originally, as a mere fixture in the chefs' kitchen, it served as a simple prompt about time management. However, as the story unfolded, it evolved into a touching insight to embrace and cherish each moment.
Your Friend in Time,
Toffer
Tim Ferriss popularized the term "Harajuku moment" in his book "The 4-Hour Workweek". The term is derived from a district in Tokyo, Japan called Harajuku, known for its vibrant and eccentric street fashion. In the context of Ferriss' book, a "Harajuku moment" refers to a transformative experience that triggers a shift in perspective or behavior, leading to significant personal or professional change. It's a metaphor for a moment of clarity or realization that prompts individuals to reassess their priorities and take action towards achieving their goals or living a more fulfilling life.
For the record, I don't have anything against shallow work, because getting those tasks done prevents them from nagging at my brain all day long. In fact, it's the important things that tend to unsettle me if left undone.
Deep work is a concept introduced by Cal Newport in his book "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World." It refers to the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. In essence, deep work is about working in a state of flow, where you are fully concentrated on the task at hand, free from distractions, and able to produce high-quality work.
I recommend Leuchtturm1917 for the dotted notebook. It’s a fancy choice but the idea of spending extra money to get a more delightful experience can be ‘worth it’ if it encourages us to do more of the thing we want to do. Yes, an excuse. 🤣