10k work
1. Problem
The problem is a lack of focus on high-leverage, high-skill activities, resulting in inefficient use of time and resources. This can manifest as:
- Spending too much time on low-value tasks that provide a quick dopamine hit but have little long-term payoff (i.e., $10/hour work). Examples include sorting through emails, replying to comments, and other busywork.
- Getting caught in the trap of "busywork at scale" by focusing on low-skill but high-leverage tasks that don't contribute to the overall goals (i.e., $100/hour work). Examples include using productivity apps and tools or spending too much time on social media.
- Prioritizing high-skill, low-leverage tasks that, while valuable, don't maximize output or create lasting impact (i.e., $1,000/hour work). Examples include specialized work where time is traded directly for money, such as a lawyer or engineer.
- Feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, and anxious due to a task list that seems never-ending.
- Focusing on short term gains rather than long-term growth.
2. Hypothesis
By identifying and prioritizing high-skill, high-leverage activities (i.e., $10,000/hour work) and committing a small amount of time to them each day, it is possible to achieve greater impact, long-term results, and a more balanced approach to work and life. This involves:
- Shifting from a focus on efficiency to a focus on effectiveness.
- Investing time in activities that have a one-to-many effect and continue working even when one is not actively engaged.
- Focusing on tasks that align with one's unique skills, passions, and long-term vision.
- Moving away from activities that provide instant gratification in favor of those that yield delayed but greater impact.
- Creating a work portfolio that prioritizes long-term impact and growth over immediate demands.
3. Define the Assumptions to Test
This experiment assumes that:
- It is possible to identify and categorize tasks based on their level of skill and leverage.
- It is possible to allocate time to high-leverage, high-skill tasks (i.e., $10,000/hour work) even when other demands exist.
- A small, consistent investment of time in $10k work will yield greater results over time.
- The concepts of 'Do dates' are more effective than traditional due dates, when used to manage tasks that have no immediate penalty for missing them, but are still important.
- There are tools and techniques that can help with task management and prioritization.
- Reflection and review of progress are important for optimization and adjustment.
Resources Needed:
- A system to track tasks and assign values ($10 to $10k) and 'Do dates'. A template like the one described in the sources could be helpful.
- A method for time tracking, to gain clarity about how time is currently being spent. This can be as simple as noting down activities every 30 minutes.
- A dedicated time block for $10k work. Initially, a small block of time can be allocated, like one hour per day.
- A process for regularly reviewing tasks and adjusting priorities.
Specific Steps to "Run the Experiment":
- List all recurring tasks: Create a comprehensive list of all recurring tasks, as well as tasks that come up occasionally.
- Categorize tasks: Assign each task to one of the four quadrants of the $10k matrix, based on skill and leverage. Assign a dollar value ($10 to $10,000) to each task.
- Time tracking: Track your time over one or two weeks to see how time is currently being spent. Note the context for tasks, if that is helpful.
- Identify 10k work: Identify which tasks have the highest leverage and skill. Identify the tasks you feel are most aligned with your values, long-term vision, and unique skills.
- Set 'Do dates': Set specific "Do dates" for high-leverage tasks. Prioritize these tasks in your schedule.
- Eliminate tasks: Determine which tasks can be eliminated.
- Automate tasks: Determine which tasks can be automated.
- Delegate tasks: Determine which tasks can be delegated.
4. Run the Experiment: Action Steps
- Set up a task management system: Use a task management tool or template to list all tasks and assign a value of $10, $100, $1,000 or $10,000, plus a 'Do date' to each task. Consider using the suggested template, if appropriate.
- Track time: For a week, track all activities every 30 minutes, noting the time spent on each task.
- Schedule $10k time: Block out a specific time each day (or week) for high-leverage, high-skill tasks.
- Execute tasks: Work through tasks on the list, focusing on 10k tasks first.
- Eliminate, automate, and delegate: As you work, apply the principle of "EAD" to each task; eliminate, automate, or delegate where possible.
5. Checkpoints
At the end of each work session (or "experiment"), review the following:
- Did the plan match reality? How was the allocation of time to different types of tasks? Was the focus on $10k tasks, or was time spent on lower-value activities?
- What was achieved? What progress was made on high-leverage tasks? What was the impact of that work?
- What worked well? Which strategies or tools were helpful in prioritizing and completing 10k work? What time blocks worked well, if any?
- What could be improved? What obstacles were encountered? What adjustments need to be made for the next work session? How can tasks be further eliminated, automated, or delegated to free up more time for 10k work?
- Review 'Do dates': Are the 'Do dates' still appropriate, or should they be adjusted?
By reflecting on these questions, the process of prioritizing $10k work can be improved and adjusted to ensure more effective outcomes over time.
10k Challenge
It's time to rise to the challenge. The 10k Sprint provides a framework for focus.
Infinite possibilities collapse at the point of decision.
Decide on a prime objective. Set aside everything else.
Rise to the occasion. What's the occasion? Meet the deadline. When's the deadline? 10 days from today.
Deadlines drive action. To meet $10k in 10 days, there are many mini deadlines that lead up to it.
The next sprint will be 11 days. Then 12 days. Then 13 days... and so on. It's a powerful framework. Eventually, a 90 day sprint would produce a 90k backlog and set you up with enough business for the entire year! Imagine being able to focus 100% on the client without having to burn time and energy on marketing.
If you truly do the work, the results will come. It's very conceivable that you could work 120 days/year when the 10 sprints are powerful enough!
Until you have the RIGs generating 10k, you will be required to perform services. Each month, your primary objective is to increase the % of RIGs in your 10k.
By 5/5/2020, you will have 100% of your 10k derived from RIGs. Cool Calculator that includes weeks, days, hours, and minutes. It's actually 25k hours from today.
Days remaining till 10k Sprint ends
Trackers
Some example 'trackers' to keep you on task
Punchlists
AutoFocus on Checkvist
Q. What's important?
Resources
100 Pomodoros/week
Each day, you get 10 Pomodoros. How you use your time determines
Check offs occur as the day progress:
Option 1: Google Sheet - more detail
Option 2: Table in Pubwriter (below)
| 8/17 | 8/18 | 8/18 | 8/19 | 8/20 | 8/21 | 8/22 | 8/23 | 8/24 | 8/25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 90 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 |
| 99 | 89 | 79 | 69 | 59 | 49 | 39 | 29 | 19 | 9 |
| 98 | 88 | 78 | 68 | 58 | 48 | 38 | 28 | 18 | 8 |
| [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] |
| [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] |
| [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] |
| [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] |
| [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] |
| [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] |
| [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] | [CONTENT] |
Consider that every actionable thought falls into one of the following:
- NOW: It's where my attention is.
- NEXT: It's next in line in my queue.
- LATER: It's a scheduled event
- LIKELY (>50%): It's something I need to schedule time for. AKA Someday Maybe tasks.
- UNLIKELY (<50%): I might be intersted, but I'm not willing to commit to it.
- NO COMMIT: It's not something I am able to do right now.
Affirmations
I am heading into my 2nd 10 day sprint with great confidence because I achieved my 10 day goals previously.
Reflecting on what worked well, and what could be improved.
First, the countdown clock helped.
Second, the Pomodoro and pre-allocating 'prime time' (8am-11am) to my most important opportunities.
Second, the opportunities page @InSightly helped me see that while I have many clients, I have a more manageable list of opportunities related to those clients. Instead of focusing on specific clients, I am focusing on opportunities which are really solutions. This upcoming week, I want to create a PubWriter page for each solution (aka opportunity) along with a buy button and form for client to provide what we need. This is a vital step towards productizing my services.
Tracking projects and work orders in AuthorDock
At a glance:
There may be a creative way to use the RSS Feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/mypunchlist
But I think a daily release notes page for my team would be helpful. That Feedburner page is my daily 'Release Notes' if you think about it. Imagine if EVERYTHING I did was posted to AuthorDock. It would automatically update that page!!! Strive for this.
Creating room for improvement
Note where you fell two steps back:
When you measure what matters, what you measure matters more.
I am going to see how many RFQs I can get in/out this week... to focus on new RFQs!!
What I said NO to
This is a critical success to celebrate... saying no to the activities and people who are not serving me
I absolutely need to line up some new speaking opportunities. January is likely a good month do it... otherwise, I will be scrambling later this year.
Define your 10 Day Sprint Goals
- $5k in backlog billings (prior clients)
- $100 in RIG sales (new tracker)
- Move ahead on Amazon Partner Certification (define next steps, if any)
- Check-in with 10 prior clients - see 13 week A-to-Z
- Introduce AuthorDock to a few select small publishers
New Habits:
- After I set for 30 minutes (a pomodoro), I will stand up (I am using my time timer which has a repeating 30 minute alert)
- After I get a client request, I will log it into AD (existing client) or Insightly (new client) (note this also addresses my inbox issue of leaving every message in my inbox!)
- After I wrap up for the workday, I will spend 5 minutes to clean up my office and prepare my 100day notebook for tomorrow (this addresses a long-standing issue I've had of not being organized and losing focus)
Days remaining till 12/31/16:
Resources and Tools:
- LeBlancs strategy
- Get up after 30 minutes of setting (time timer)
Progress report:
New Health Habit: * 1 Green drink (3-5 services of veggies/fruit)/day (meal replacement)
Mindfulness
- 100 Day calendar
- 10 day sprint
- Write in the mindfulness book (100 pages)