When we have all the free time in the world, we can relax, walk in circles (maybe following the path pictured above), and aim our energies in whatever direction we want. But how often do we have all the free time in the world?
I'm a big fan of efficiency. Even when I am on vacation and have the freedom to decide how to spend my days, but particularly when my schedule is packed, I appreciate smart time-allocation.
HIIT, which stands for High Intensity Interval Training, is an approach to working out that alternates very hard work for short times with short rest periods. There are several advantages to putting HIIT workouts into your life:
- Any working out, if you're not already doing it, is helpful to physical and mental health.
- It's easier to make yourself work hard for shorter periods of time than for longer ones.
- High-intensity work kicks your body into gear, which improves your cardiovascular fitness.
- Working hard for short times allows the body to adjust to hard work and become more able to push for longer
- When we train hard for short times, we teach our brains what to expect before trying longer workouts.
And all of those benefits are real and important. At the same time, what I also like about the idea of HIIT, is how well it applies to the rest of my life. I'm not a big fan of "I need huge stretches of time available to get anything done" thinking because I know from my workouts that if I work hard for a few minutes here and a few there, I will get things done.
The same is true in life. Instead of waiting until I have enough time to do whatever's on my list, I try to work hard for a short time to see how much of it I can accomplish. The answer is usually more than I anticipated. And, bonus, whatever I didn't complete will take a shorter period of time when I get back to the task.
What do you think about applying HIIT principles to your life? Please share any productivity or workout hacks or stories in the comments.
Partiallly true. But some tasks take a minimum amount of time to reach a stable stage.
(Herb Simon, I think) gives the example of the watchmaker, where it might take 10 minutes to assemble a mechanism of gears. Interrupted at 9 minutes and need to start over, interrupted at 11 minuted and the mechanism is stable. Sometimes there’s a
similar minimum amount of time to remind one self of the facts one wishes to present before drafting the concluding argument. Having the minimum uninterrupted time for efficient thinking and drafting might not be readily available some days.
Yes, there are certainly some items on the to-do list that need long stretches of uninterrupted time, but I’d say those are in the minority, and we do a disservice to our efficiency to think mostly about those rather than mostly about the items we can do little by little.
I love the way you made use of your rock even though it reminds me that I haven’t meditated in a long time!
I love your advice too. If I knew chores weren’t going to be interminable, I think I would tackle a lot more on my to do list.
Thanks!
I love looking at that photo I took over the summer and comparing to how the back of the house looks today. (I’ll text you a photo, since I don’t know how to insert one into the comments. If anyone else reading this wants a photo as well, LMK.)
Yes, I like the idea that none of the items on my to-do list will take forever, and if I get started, then I’m already partway there.
Yes, I would like a photo! Even if it’s covered in snow.
I am better at getting done the 80% of tasks that I can do in short bursts. The 20% that need dedicated time tend to get put off (intentional passive voice – mistakes were made … ).