I unlocked my productivity with time blocking + the 'secret ingredient'... Co-working

I've managed to unlock my productivity by using time blocking (blocking a fixed time in your calendar for certain tasks) but also adding the 'secret ingredient' of co-working (working with others at the same time).

The Problems with Time Blocking

A few years ago, I read the book Deep Work by Cal Newport which discussed the importance of time blocking to get hard work done. The book explained how rare this ability has become in our distracted world - but how important it is too.

I thought it was a great idea.

I often suffered from procrastination, so thought this would be the golden ticket to boost my productivity.

But when I worked alone, time blocking wasn't always effective for me.

1. I’d find myself pushing the time block later and later in my calendar for no reason (especially on days that my calendar was fairly open),
2. I’d get distracted during my blocked time and end up browsing through Reddit/Twitter/IH,
3. I’d work just to 'fill the time' as opposed to working to complete the task within the time.

Adding the 'Secret Ingredient'

I tried a few different strategies to solve these problems.

Eventually, I discovered that the secret ingredient for me was to add co-working. By this, I specifically mean working 'live' with other people at the same time, which adds a layer of social accountability. For me, letting myself down is a lot easier than letting other people down, so this hacked my biology to work in my favour.

Time blocking + co-working = those three problems solved.

When I added co-working...

1. I started working when I was supposed to start, because other people were expecting me to start then,
2. I’d not get distracted and look at my phone, because I didn’t want to look like I wasn't working,
3. I’d actually get my work done faster, because I knew I had to report on my progress to the others at the end of the session.

Now, if you’re someone with incredible self-discipline, time blocking alone might be enough for you. You might not need the added 'secret ingredient'.

But I’m not that disciplined and that extra ingredient has made my time blocking more effective. After each session, I've got a lot more done in less time, I end up having more time to myself and feeling more accomplished.

Apply This Yourself

If you want to try this out yourself, you can use a friend or 'co-working buddy' and agree a time block to do your work (either virtually or IRL). It's as simple as sending a calendar invite.

I also started a virtual co-working community called FlowHuddle. We meet up every week (I'm hoping to increase the number of sessions each week) to get work done faster - whatever it is you’re working on.

It’s completely free to join the sessions so, if you think it'll interest you, check it out here.