We all need time management help, and if you’re a network marketer struggling to be productive, you’re going to love this. Not long ago my mentor showed me an incredible time management tool that has increased my productivity dramatically and provided me with noticeably more energy to get through the day. What’s so amazing about this technique is its simplicity. It’s so simple I discounted its value, that is, until I tried it. I know this sounds like a lot of build up but I want you to read it and try it for yourselves.
My mentor, Scott Brandon Hoffman, put me on to this technique about three months ago. This technique has allowed me to focus my energy and attention and get my business rolling. It is only right to point out that Scott got this technique from Eben Pagan, the super star of personal and business development. It’s called the 50-10 technique. Here’s how it works.
Most of us sit down at our computer and get engrossed in our work and don’t stop until we are interrupted or we finally get tired. That can be hours if you’re working at home and it’s late at night and there aren’t any interruptions. Have you done this? When I finally stop I’ll often realize that it’s late and I’m tired and I’ve still not finished what I set out to do. This is exactly what the 50-10 technique prevents. The 50-10 technique directs you to work on your task for 50 minutes and at the end of that 50 minutes stop working, get up and completely change your focus and environment for 10 minutes. This physical and mental break is what makes all the difference in your productivity.
During the 10 minutes you should get away from your work environment entirely, get some water and rehydrate. Then step outside and get some fresh air. If you can it’s good to take a quick walk around the block. But you might want to grab a handful of nuts or a healthy snack. Just make sure not to eat sugar because that can mess with your whole system and ruin the productivity. Sometimes when I don’t walk I’ll work on chores, take out the trash or something. The idea here is to change the environmental and metabolic experience so you don’t get stuck in a rut. It’s when you’re in a rut that your productivity begins to decline, slowly enough that you don’t really notice it, until it’s late and you’re still not done with your task.
But wait, there’s more to it. Another part of the increased productivity is the introduction of a starting AND a stopping time. By focusing your energy into a 50 minute block, you get a sense of your time limitations, you start with a completed task in mind, and you can work without worrying about other tasks. In order to free yourself from watching the clock (a source of interruption every time you look up and check the time) you should get a timer. Eben Pagan recommends using an electronic timer. You set it at 50 minutes and an alarm sounds when the 50 minutes has passed.  That way you can free your mind to your task completely with the knowledge that all you have to do is complete the task, or that portion of the task, that you set out to accomplish.
I hope this time management help improves your productivity like it did for me. Oh, I’ve got to wrap up this piece now because my alarm is about to go off. I hope you’ll let me know if this technique helps you by commenting. Good luck with it.
I love it. I am a strong proponent of switching up tasks during the day a bit. I have never seen this technique before and will have to try it. I have found that things in life tend to be more fresh when they is not simply “drag on.” Usually by changing things up a bit I can get some good things accomplished in a few different areas of life rather than feeling like my wheels are simply spinning in one. I will definitely try this technique…thanks Phil!
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Man o Man, I need a timer. I am falling victim to the lack-of-timer-deal. I hear you. Tomorrow, I will have one and I will get on the plan. The other thing- Sugar. I have the rest of a birthday cake to get to and I am on it. Good simple, to the point stuff. Thanks.
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Following are the time management tips to save your time such as write down important things, prioritize your list, plan your week, try to make it early, respect your promises and be on time. These tips will help to save our lots of time and reduce our work pressure.
Time management skills´s last blog ..Organizational Self-Awareness!
Great post, Phil! I learned the same technique ~ but after a few months of experimentation, I found that 90-30 worked better for me.
I found myself so in the zone that I wasn’t quite ready to break, AND i found myself wanting longer walks or time to meditate, etc. on the breaks. I think the main thing is intensely focused work followed by a break to recharge and refuel…over and over and over again! It really has increased my productivity and decreased my stress so much. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Allen´s last blog ..The Power of Tribe Syndication: The Internet has Evolved, have YOU?
You got a top notch post here Phil. Time management is by far the most important part in determining your success. If you can’t focus on what needs to be done then you will not get very far. You must learn to manage time to manage your life.
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Hi Tenia ganas de
Hey Phil,
Great article here. This is a great technique to help from getting sucked into the computer vortex. I’m going to go and set the timer on my watch right now. Thanks again.
John McGinnn´s last blog ..Mastermind Groups, Tribes, Twibes, and other Sources of Iron
WOW!
Phil, you have no idea of how much I needed this article. I have been feeling totally overwhelmed so it is just at the perfect time. (there are no coincidences!)
thank you so much,
Sandy Abrams
Sandy Abrams´s last blog ..Soy may reduce diabetes risk in overweight women
It sounds like you’re creating problems yourself by trying to solve this issue instead of seeking at why their constantly a problem in true first place