Step 2: Complete a 5-Minute Sprint Today
Hey, friends!
I'm writing a book How to Beat Procrastination With 5-Minute Sprints, and this blog post is a chapter in the book.
Momentum is the antidote to procrastination. It’s that feeling, “Hey, I’m actually making progress here. Let’s keep going.” With momentum, we can accomplish anything.
But what blocks momentum? Not getting started.
The solution is to make it stupid-easy to get started. And my favorite way to do this is with a 5-minute sprint.
5-minute sprints have three simple rules:
1. Eliminate all distractions
2. Set a timer for 5 minutes
3. Get to work
Afterward, take a short break. Personally, I might grab a drink, do a sudoku puzzle, or take a walk in my basement. But I avoid time sinks that suck me in for hours. (I’m looking at you, Candy Crush!)
That’s it. That’s the entire process. Work for five minutes and take a break. You can do 5 minutes, right?
Let’s dive into some common questions.
What if I don’t know where to start on this project?
I often use a 5-minute sprint to create a to-do list. Then, I break bullet items into their own sublists. Discovering what needs to be done is the first step in any project and builds my momentum.
Alternatively, I ask, “What’s the next thing to work on?” Or ask, “What’s the very first thing to work on?” These questions focus my attention on one tiny piece of the project, which keeps me from feeling overwhelmed.
Or I’ll make a list of questions. What info am I missing? Next, I’ll write down the steps to get these things resolved. Who will I talk to? What research will I do? And what’s the very first step?
Can I listen to music during the sprint?
Maybe.
Does music help you focus? For example, I listen to movie soundtracks while working on tasks that don’t require much concentration. And I turn off all music and sit in silence when concentrating on thorny problems.
But that’s me. Experiment and discover what works best for you.
When the timer goes off, can I keep working?
Of course.
The goal here is to build momentum. So, if you have momentum, keep going! The more you work, the more you build momentum.
But don’t feel guilty for taking a break when the timer goes off. You may need several sprints to build momentum. And that’s ok.
Can I wait until I’m more motivated later?
Will you be more motivated later? Be honest. Or will you still struggle with distractions, motivation, etc.?
A 5-minute sprint only lasts for… 5 minutes! You can work for 5 minutes, right? Why not get started now?
Read more from How to Beat Procrastination With 5-Minute Sprints.
Thanks to Brynn Stewart for reading a draft of this!