The one about.. Elon Musk and productivity
What’s going on here
Elon Musk breaks his day into five minute slots to maximise his productivity levels. Although the idea of micro goals is not new, (see how elite marathon runners would use it) it is interesting to read how it is employed effectively in a corporate setting.
What does this mean for me?
Good question. I’ve outlined some thoughts below trying to distinguish the benefits from the fake news based on performance psychology research and my own anecdotal experience.
Benefits
Hyper focus is the dream
The 80/20 rule says 20% of the time invested will get you 80% of the results. I think everyone (including Elon) is guilty of wasting time on non-urgent tasks and he’s employed this 5 minute rule as a strategy to prevent that. I love how he reflects on his productivity and develops strategies to address it like all elite performers do.
Fake news
Unrealistic for mortals
5 minute slots are unrealistic for most people. Elon Musk probably doesn’t have to iron his own shirts (unlike mortals like me)
Fake news alert on his sleeping habits
Sleeping 6 hours a night is a productivity leak in itself so I doubt it’s true. If it is, the 5 minute blocks are like turning on the heat in a house with a hole in its roof.
The key takeaways
This type of exercise can act as an interesting mental model to allow yourself to check in on your productivity though. How much time do you give to education, your future or your family? I bet Elon could tell you. If you’re looking for a way to take this forward with you, this article written by Wautbutwhy.com is incredible. Check it out if you’re interested, we’d love to hear what you think.
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