Do you need "untouchable days" - to get 10 times more productive?

[Dien Rice]

I often work from home, but it can be quite difficult to focus for extended periods of time. That can make it hard to do tasks where I need a lot of focus!

Anyhow, I just read about the concept of "untouchable days" - so I'm trying it out!

I read an article about it by Neil Pasricha, who's a bestselling author and entrepreneur.

An "untouchable day" is a day where you plan no meetings, no phone calls, nothing. (He also plans no text messages, but I'm allowing text messages, as I find those far less disruptive than phone calls... I have no problem ignoring text messages if I'm focused on something else, but your mileage may vary.)

He initially tried scheduling one "untouchable day" per week. He did it far in advance, so any other items that came up, he could schedule them for other days apart from his "untouchable day" for the week.

What if something extremely important comes up, and it can only be done on your "untouchable day?" For example, maybe an important opportunity comes up that can only be done on that day. In these circumstances, he allows himself to move his untouchable day within the week, but not beyond that! So - if he has to - he'll move his untouchable day to another day during the same week, even if he has to reschedule multiple meetings to do so!

I'm actually writing this on my "untouchable day"... How's it working out? I'm definitely more productive. (He says he can be 10 times more productive on his "untouchable days" than his regular days. As he is an author, that means he can write 10 times as much on the "untouchable days!") I think the main benefit I'm finding is I can do the things that require focus - since otherwise, these things can be hard to get done in my usual circumstances.

In my case, I have a co-working space I use, and I am doing my "untouchable day" there. I tend to get regularly interrupted at home, so in my case, I really need to leave the house. (It may be different in your circumstances.)

Although this is my first "untouchable day," I think I need to make this a regular habit!

Why You Need an Untouchable Day Every Week
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/w...day-every-week

Best wishes,

Dien

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by Dien Rice

I often work from home, but it can be quite difficult to focus for extended periods of time. That can make it hard to do tasks where I need a lot of focus!

Anyhow, I just read about the concept of "untouchable days" - so I'm trying it out!

I read an article about it by Neil Pasricha, who's a bestselling author and entrepreneur.

An "untouchable day" is a day where you plan no meetings, no phone calls, nothing. (He also plans no text messages, but I'm allowing text messages, as I find those far less disruptive than phone calls... I have no problem ignoring text messages if I'm focused on something else, but your mileage may vary.)

He initially tried scheduling one "untouchable day" per week. He did it far in advance, so any other items that came up, he could schedule them for other days apart from his "untouchable day" for the week.

What if something extremely important comes up, and it can only be done on your "untouchable day?" For example, maybe an important opportunity comes up that can only be done on that day. In these circumstances, he allows himself to move his untouchable day within the week, but not beyond that! So - if he has to - he'll move his untouchable day to another day during the same week, even if he has to reschedule multiple meetings to do so!

I'm actually writing this on my "untouchable day"... How's it working out? I'm definitely more productive. (He says he can be 10 times more productive on his "untouchable days" than his regular days. As he is an author, that means he can write 10 times as much on the "untouchable days!") I think the main benefit I'm finding is I can do the things that require focus - since otherwise, these things can be hard to get done in my usual circumstances.

In my case, I have a co-working space I use, and I am doing my "untouchable day" there. I tend to get regularly interrupted at home, so in my case, I really need to leave the house. (It may be different in your circumstances.)

Although this is my first "untouchable day," I think I need to make this a regular habit!

Why You Need an Untouchable Day Every Week
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/w...day-every-week

Best wishes,

Dien

Sounds promising. Hope it works for you. I prefer hours.

Every morning, early, from about 5-6 AM for at least 2 hours, I will not be disturbed by anything but an emergency.

I write. Mostly. Have for about 3 decades now. I also have daily siesta time, about 2:45 to 4 pm where I either meditate, or do some Theta thinking. DO NOT DISTURB red light is on.

I shudder at the thought of getting 10x more done, but I am thinking of increasing my afternoon nap to get 2x less done. Good luck with your blinders on.

Gordon

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by GordonJ

Sounds promising. Hope it works for you. I prefer hours.

Every morning, early, from about 5-6 AM for at least 2 hours, I will not be disturbed by anything but an emergency.

I write. Mostly. Have for about 3 decades now. I also have daily siesta time, about 2:45 to 4 pm where I either meditate, or do some Theta thinking. DO NOT DISTURB red light is on.

I shudder at the thought of getting 10x more done, but I am thinking of increasing my afternoon nap to get 2x less done. Good luck with your blinders on.

Hi Gordon,

I think it's that everyone has a different home situation...

My lovely wife is an awesome human being, who I am crazy about. However, she loves to chat with me (which I feel is a blessing). She also has trouble sleeping... That means that, any time of day or night (even 3 am), if I'm up, she could be up too! And that means having wonderful chats... (Which I love too - which is part of the problem...)

That's the practical reason why I have to get out of the house. It's wonderful there, but it's hard to get any significant work done, which requires sustained focus without interruption...

Best wishes,

Dien