You don’t need an entire day (or even half of one) to make real progress on your goals. In fact, just a single focused hour can make a big difference. Many of us wait for the perfect block of time to get started, but results come from small, consistent efforts. That’s where the power hour comes in.
Writer JiJi Lee says it’s a simple idea, but it works. All you need to do is carve out 60 minutes of time to work on something you need to get done. Maybe it’s a round of cold calls or following up on warm leads. When you turn off distractions and truly focus your energy, you might be surprised at just how much you can accomplish. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share her tips and tricks for planning your power hour.
Identify your top priorities. Lee says this should be your first step. Get specific about what’s important. She recommends looking at your calendar or planner and determining what deadlines or assignments you have coming up. Focus on 1 or 2 so you manage your time efficiently.
Make a list of actionable tasks you can do with your power hour. Next, she advises making a list of the relevant tasks you can do in 60 minutes. Don’t try to tackle everything at once. For example, you might dedicate your time to sending personalized follow-up emails or cleaning up your CRM.
Break a project into small steps. Another way to maximize your power hour, Lee says, is to break a big project into small steps. For example, if your priority is to work on a presentation, you could use your power hour to design your deck, select images and graphics and choose a color palette.
String together similar tasks. Batching tasks is a great way to boost your productivity. When you do similar types of tasks together, it keeps your flow, and you can get a lot more done.
Find your ideal power hour. Some people are morning people while others are night owls. Lee advises scheduling your power hour during a time of day you’ll feel most energized and motivated.
Schedule your power hour. If you schedule your power hour in your planner or calendar, you’ll be more committed to follow through on it. Otherwise, you’ll be tempted to skip your power hour. She suggests setting your phone on “do not disturb” so you’re not responding to texts while you’re focusing.
Have a small treat. Maybe it’s a cozy latte or mug of tea. Or, it could be a dance break to your favorite playlist. Lee says it’s easier to cross the finish line when you know there’s a little treat at the end.
An hour might feel small, but it can spark big momentum. When you get clear on your priorities and set yourself up in the right environment, you give yourself the best chance for success. Try blocking off an hour every day next week and see what you can achieve.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: JiJi Lee is a writer who contributes to the Ink + Volt blog, among others.
