Mindset Camp: Cooking Rice & Productivity

This summer we are doing a series called Mindset Camp. It will be made up of mostly simple, thought-provoking episodes to give you something short + sweet to take action on right away!

Today is Episode 2 of that series.

Do you ever put projects off thinking you need a big chunk of time?

This often leads to procrastinating and putting something off because we can't find the time, we think we need.

Today's episode is a story and a brain hack that still works to this day. I share six steps and reminders to get making traction on those important projects sooner.

Get ready to transform the way you work.
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Enjoy!

Check out our past series on time:
Time - It's a Thinking Problem
Time - The Busy Badge
Time - Permission to do Differently
Time - Let Your Commitments Lead the Way

Learn more about Carla:  https:/www.carlareeves.com/

Connect on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reevescarla/
Connect on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carlasreevesaz/

Explore Coaching with Carla:  https://bookme.name/carlareeves/lite/explore-coaching

• If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to share it with a friend. 
• A free way to support our show is by leaving a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast player. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show and it helps others discover it, too. 

Thank you for listening!

Learn more about Carla:
Website: https:/www.carlareeves.com/
Connect on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reevescarla/
Connect on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@differentlythepodcast

Go to https://www.carlareeves.com/getunstuck.com to download Carla's on demand journaling workshop + exercise to help you stop spinning and start moving forward.

Explore Coaching with Carla: https://bookme.name/carlareeves/lite/explore-coaching

• If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to share it with a friend.
• A free way to support our show is by leaving a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast player. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show and it helps others discover it, too.

Thank you for listening!

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

I'm Carla Reeves, and this is Differently. Whether you feel stuck in survival, navigating a change or seeking more for your life, may this podcast be your weekly nudge to take a risk to build a life that is uniquely bold, authentic and in alignment with your deepest values. What if you worried less about the bumps in the road and instead got equipped for the journey? Get ready to rethink what's possible. Summer is here and in the spirit of summer, here on the podcast, we're doing something a little different. This summer series, we're calling it Mindset Camp, is made up of simple, short, thought-provoking episodes to give you something short and sweet, whether you're on vacation, in between work meetings, on your bike headed to the beach or driving to the office Something you can fit in and apply right to your life, wherever you are, to shift your perspective, experience and maybe even your results. We'll talk mindset, productivity, relationships and more. Vacations are great, but rest assured if vacation isn't within sight.

Speaker 1: 1:08

I'm a firm believer of building a life we don't have to escape and where vacations become the cherry on top of a life you've already built that you love. My brain sometimes thinks I need a chunk of time, like two to four hours, to make some traction on a project. This often leads to procrastinating and putting something off because I can't find the time I think I need. Today's episode is a story and a brain hack that still works to this day, and I must share it with you. It was a simple idea on an ordinary day that transformed the way I work. It was an average Wednesday, the day was winding down, quentin and the boys would soon be home from work and school. I was thinking about what to make for dinner and still had a bit more work to get done. I put some rice on the stove and set the timer for 18 minutes. I walked away and I thought I wonder what I could get done on that project in the time it takes to cook the rice. I'd been putting this something on my to-do list off for weeks, thinking I needed a solid two or three hours to complete. What would happen if I took the next 18 minutes to get started? I grabbed my things and poured myself into my work. The buzzer rang and I was astounded by what had happened. Not only was dinner closer to being ready, I had completed yes, completed a project that, in my mind, needed hours to complete, and not only did I do it in far less time. The output was far more focused and thoughtful and I knew I was on to something work. I use it to complete items on my to-do list to break down daunting tasks. I'm moving through things faster and the quality of the output has gone up and I feel better doing it. Try it out and see what happens. Here are six steps and reminders to get you started.

Speaker 1: 2:57

Allocate your time List your top five priorities. Take the amount of time you have and write the number of minutes you'll allocate next to each item on your list. Some tasks might need 10 minutes, while others might call for 30 or 40. Set the timer and go. Number two follow your energy. Try starting with the item on your list where you feel the most energy and build momentum to get the less exciting things done too.

Speaker 1: 3:24

Number three increase your focus. The timer creates a manageable container for making progress and sets you up to bring all your focus to one task for a shorter period of time. The structure liberates your creativity and ability to focus. Number four burst through overthinking. Say goodbye to delays in your work that are due to obsessive thinking about lack of time, dread and overwhelm. Say hello to serious traction on things that just might make your life a little or a lot better. Number five feel better. Your increased focus and progress will create good feelings. Let the good feelings spill into other areas of your life. And number six try it out. Plan rice for dinner this week or just set a timer and knock off part or all of that project.

Speaker 1: 4:15

Try it out and send me a fan mail. Click that button right at the top of the show description and tell me how it went. I can't wait to hear. If you like this episode, you might like the time series Also. I will link those episodes in the show notes.

Speaker 1: 4:31

And one more exciting something what is it about the human mind and the writing process? I could cite a bunch of studies that show that there's a direct correlation between journaling and feeling better. But I'll do something better. I'll share a quote from Joan Didion that I came across that perfectly captures all that scientific jargon. I write in quotes. I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see, what it means, what I want and what I fear. Throw in a coach that responds inside your journal, helping you sort everything out in real time.

Speaker 1: 5:09

Two words life changing, curious. Stay tuned, we've got something in the works for you. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of differently. It's been an honor to share this conversation with you. You know, one of the keys to living fully is to take action when you're inspired to do so. I hope you found that spark of inspiration today and would you help us spread the word. Did someone you know come to mind while you were listening? If this episode could impact someone you know, please share it and pass it along. New episodes drop weekly, so tap that subscribe button and join us next time as we continue to challenge the status quo and get equipped to live life differently.