Recovery Blocks
[A] - Essential
WHAT: Recovery Blocks is a time hack where I add 20 minutes to the end of each scheduled meeting on my calendar.
HOW: When scheduling a meeting, I extend the calendar entry by 20 minutes beyond the actual meeting time.
I use this extra time to:
- Organize and process information from the meeting
- Write down any new obligations in my task management system
- Complete quick follow-up tasks immediately
- Clear my mind and recover from the cognitive effort of the meeting
WHY: This time hack offers numerous benefits that enhance my productivity, mental clarity, and overall work efficiency. Here's why I do it:
- It helps me make immediate progress on meeting outcomes.
- I ensure all new tasks and obligations are properly tracked.
- It prevents small tasks from cluttering my mind and distracting me.
- I give myself time to mentally transition between meetings, avoiding cognitive whiplash.
- It allows me to recover from the focused discussion and prepare for what's next.
- By implementing these recovery blocks, I significantly improve my productivity and mental clarity throughout the day.