the three specifics
I have never met anyone who is “naturally” good with their time.
Most people fall into one of two groups.
They either rely on luck, hoping to remember what they need to do without creating any support for themselves (like using a calendar) or they overschedule, cramming their calendar with so many things that there is simply no way to finish (which is a great way to guarantee that not much gets done besides feeling like a failure).
Scheduling and time management aren’t things that we’re taught as kids. But no matter our age, we can learn and apply these skills, and start improving our lives, today.
In this section, I’m going to teach you a simple, three step method for creating a time management structure so you can get done what you want to get done.
Of course, we’ll use the example of scheduling your MVMNTCHVRCH practice, but you can use this technique to great effect for anything else that you want. I suggest that you try this with only your movement practice for the first 2-4 weeks because you are more likely to succeed if you focus on learning one thing at a time, as opposed to throwing yourself off the deep end and trying to change your whole life all at once!
1. Pick a specific time.
The easiest way to guarantee that we’ll do a thing we say we want to do is to schedule it and write it down.
• So, first things first, pick the exact time that you will practice. Be specific. For example, Monday at 8:00 am is a specific time. You must select both the day and the exact time.
• Now, enter this information into your #makeithappen Calendar.
Ideally, the calendar will be someplace that you’ll see it frequently, like on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror, etc. (If you already use a Time Management Device of some sort, like a digital calendar or paper planner, you can also enter this information there. And if you like to use timed reminders or push notifications on your digital calendar or phone, feel free to use those too.)
Think of this like scheduling a dentist appointment. You don’t just show up at the dentist and say, “hey, wanna scrape my teeth today?” nor do you call them and casually let them know that you’ll be there “sometime” on Monday.
Nope, you pick a specific time and day from the time slots they have available. And then you show up at exactly that specific time.
2. Pick a specific amount of time.
The easiest way to ensure that we have the time we need to do a thing we say we want to do is to reserve the time in advance.
When you first begin using MVMNTCHVRCH, an average practice will take about 25 minutes (remember, this will shorten to around 15 minutes as you gain experience and proficiency within a few weeks).
But before you head to your #makeithappen Calendar, or the Time Management Device of your choice, let’s get more than specific, let’s get smart!
If you’ve read the Introduction, or checked out the program, you know that you’ll need a few items when you practice. So it’s going to take you a few minutes to set up your practice area. And it might take you a few minutes to take off your shoes or find some pants you can move easily in. Rushing is never a great way to start anything, so give yourself enough time to get ready to have a great practice; about 5-10 minutes.
Similarly, you’ll need some time when you’re done practicing to get yourself together or clean up. Another 5-10 minutes or so.
• Your specific amount of time for this example is 35 minutes.
• Now, head to your #makeithappen Calendar and amend your specific time; the example we’ve been using looks like: Monday 8:00-8:35 am.
3. Pick one specific action, and one specific action only.
The easiest way to do anything, especially a thing we say we want to do, is to approach it one thing at a time.
If you’ve never used scheduling before to harness the power of your time you will already be miles ahead just by following the first two steps in this process.
And if you’re one of those folks who habitually over-schedules and finds themselves rushing, stressing, feeling overwhelmed, and yet never seems to get ahead, then this next step is going to vastly improve your life.
I can say this with confidence because I have been in both of the above groups, and it is this very scheduling practice that has given me both more productivity and more free time while reducing stress.
• Your specific action is your MVMNTCHVRCH movement practice.
• Lucky for you, you already noted this in your #makeithappen Calendar (and if not yet, what are you waiting for?); but the most important part of this step happens after you make this note: do not schedule anything else at this time!
The finished entry in your #makeithappen Calendar will look like this:
Monday 8:00-8:35 am: MVMNTCHVRCH daily movement ritual.
It might seem obvious, but this is one of the most common scheduling pitfalls that folks encounter. You might be someone who falls into this trap if you’ve ever written a lengthy to-do list, started out with the best of intentions, and found yourself at the end of the day with very little to show for yourself yet somehow still feeling exhausted.
When you schedule only one thing at a time, and hold yourself to that, you’ll notice that you start actually getting done what you set out to do.
I recognize that it can take a leap of faith to try this, particularly if you already feel overwhelmed or overburdened. That’s why I recommend that you use The 3 Specifics technique only with your MVMNTCHVRCH practice for 2-4 weeks to get established in this technique and to avoid adding more overwhelm to your life.
Schedule one thing at a time and practice one thing at a time.
Give yourself the space to learn something new, and when you feel comfortable and proficient with this, feel free to try one new thing.
It may take several months, even up to a year, to shift yourself to this system which will ultimately make you more productive while creating more free time — but compare that amount of time to the years, potentially decades, of your life you’ve spent rushing around, stressed out, and struggling to catch up with that monster to-do list.
• • •
Before you head to the next tool, take some time to schedule your movement practice for the coming weeks using the steps I’ve outlined above.
And if that’s all the time or energy you have today, that’s fine! Come back to The #makeithappen Guide when you’re ready to learn a surprisingly effective technique for obstacle management.