Keith JonesMarch 12, 2016

Recently I listened to a podcast on Optimize with Brian Johnson. One of the key takeaways from the talk was applying a 20-minute rule to any goal or task you find too big or you’re procrastinating on. The idea is that if you eliminate distractions and stimuli like email and Internet browsing and give your full focus to the goal for twenty minutes, good and even great things will happen. At worst, you will be further along than you were and at best, you will accomplish the goal. It doesn’t seem like a lot of time to invest for that level of return. It’s totally worth it.

I put this approach to the test the next day. Recently I’ve been shooting video for a project. The video needs to be edited now. This step in the moviemaking process can be time consuming and tedious. I have debated for over a month to pay someone to do it which would mean a 1-2 month delay in completing the video and project. After listening to the podcast, I chose to give the 20-minute rule a shot. I silenced my phone and turned it face down. I closed all webpages except for a YouTube video editing tutorial. (It had been 5 years since I edited a video so any memory of how to do so was buried.) I set my timer and went to work. After five minutes things started to happen. I made my first edit and learned two shortcuts. When the timer went off, I was completely engaged so I kept going. 7-1/2 hours later I had produced my first video in 5 years. While it wasn’t ready for an independent film festival, it was a huge victory. I beat procrastination!

I am still blown away by the results because my initial plan was to take this goal and break it down into small tasks to be accomplished in 20-minute sessions over the course of a week. Something strange happened along the way. I caught fire and finished it the same day. Something even stranger happened after that. My subconscious got involved and connected to the new skills I had learned. It’s like taking a talented athlete and partnering him with a wise and experienced guru. Those two working together enabled me to edit and complete another video in just thirty five minutes the next day. Wow!

Now I am hooked! I apply the 20-minute rule to any big goal that I don’t know how to attack or big task I don’t want to take on. What goal will you stop procrastinating on? Amazing results are on the other side of those 20 minutes. Get started today on your fitness and career goals!

Keith