🏇 Racing Yourself

Hey there! Welcome back to The Flow by Flocus. And to the 5,391 new subscribers this week, hello and welcome 👋 If you’re new, you can catch up on our previous editions right here.

This week: We're sharing one of our favorite tricks for life’s tiny tasks — racing yourself to see how much you can get done, even while you’re doing something else. Let’s get to it!

👟 On Your Mark

Think back to the last time you had to wait for something — like the bus, the microwave, or the kettle.

How did you pass the time?

Many people turn to music, social media, and other distractions. But these idle moments are also great opportunities to make your day more fun and playful — while also crossing some tasks off your list!

It’s an approach we call racing yourself.

This technique is from our team’s personal productivity toolbox, so we’re not sure if there’s an “official” name for it. But it works really well for us, and we’re excited to share it with you!

🚦 Get Set

How does it work?

Simple — during a short wait, work on another task as quickly as you can.

The idea is to make as much progress as possible with the limited time you have.

Here are some examples:

• Wash the dishes while waiting for the kettle

• Sort your laundry while waiting for the microwave

• Reply to texts and emails while waiting for the bus

You’ll be surprised at how much you can get done, even with just 1 or 2 minutes to spare. Scroll on for tips!

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Now, let’s jump into tips for racing yourself.

🏁 Go!

Here are some tips for using this technique to tackle your tasks.

🎯 Pick one small task

If you’re washing the dishes, focus only on the dishes. Ignore related tasks, like clearing trash off the counter.

Starting slow builds confidence and momentum. But if you finish your task and still have time left, feel free to move on to the next one.

🏃 Be swift, but not sloppy

A healthy amount of speed is key since you’ll only have a few minutes to work on your task.

But quick doesn’t mean careless or inattentive. Do your best with the time you have.

📈 Aim for progress, not completion

The point of racing yourself is to make progress on your task — not necessarily to finish it.

If the kettle boils before you finish the dishes, it’s cool to leave the rest for later.

The point is that you did some of the dishes, and the kitchen is a little cleaner than it was when you started. That means less work for Future You!

🥳 Have fun!

Racing yourself shouldn’t feel like a boring chore — it should feel like a fun game, and a playful challenge.

If it starts to feel stressful, go easier on yourself, and figure out ways to make it more enjoyable.

👯 Bring a buddy

Tackling a bigger project or household chore? Invite your partner, roommate, or friend to race themselves alongside you — or even against you!

Want to take your friendly competition to the next level? Gamify it with a leaderboard, achievements, or challenges!

🐢 Know when to slow down

Some days, this method will require way more energy than you have to spend — and that’s okay.

Adequate rest is an essential part of a productive life, and it’s especially important on low days. Don’t overexert yourself when you’re already burned out!

🪅 Flocus Picks

A curated list of things worth sharing.

• Here's a Simple Rule (TikTok) — Start your day with this 11 sec pep talk with words to live by!

• Skyrim Study (Playlist) — This beloved video game soundtrack is the perfect background music for your focus or relaxation seshes

• Life is a Game (Article) — A quirky piece on how to make life feel more like a fun game, plus tips for leveling up your character!

🖥️ Flocus: All-in-One Dashboard

Check out Flocus to get more out of your days! It’s our all-in-one, browser-based dashboard for focus and ambience — with some freshly released features 👀

Open in Browser

The next time you’re tempted to scroll your socials on autopilot while waiting for the bus, remember this little game!

Until next Sunday,

Flocus Team