- Cameron Perrin is a software developer with a full-time job, freelance work, and a startup blog.
- He struggled to achieve his career goals, getting derailed by distractions and procrastination.
- But he said the “monk mode” productivity hack, which encourages intense focus, has changed his life.
This essay is based on a conversation with Cameron Perrin, a 26-year-old software engineer from Newport Beach, California, about his experience with the productivity hack known as “monk mode.” The insider verified his earnings with documentation. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
As someone who can easily fall into procrastination and lack of focus, I found myself constantly struggling to achieve my goals – and I couldn’t afford to be so distracted.
I work full time as a software engineer and earn $75,000 a year. I also run an AI startup blog and work part-time for my own clients as a freelance software developer, earning me an extra $30,000 this year.
Every work day I started out strong, but eventually found myself scrolling through social media, reading articles, or just browsing the internet aimlessly. By the time I pull myself together, my train of thought would be gone and I should figure out where I was. I knew I needed a change, but I didn’t know where to start.
Then I came across an article about “monk mode” on Medium, which the blog says is a method of focusing your full attention on your work for a set period of time.
At first it sounded like a radical idea, but the more I read about it, the more it made sense. Monk mode isn’t about trying to achieve everything at once; it’s about focusing on what’s important and using your time in the best possible way, starting small and improving as you go.
I tried monk mode for the first time in February 2022. I was aiming for complete and productive focus on my work and I wanted to achieve my goals every day so I didn’t have to spend my evenings worrying about what was going on. I still had to do.
Monk Mode has changed my life by showing me how powerful my time really is when I’m disciplined and stick to a routine. By eliminating distractions and adopting specific strategies, I was able to dramatically increase my productivity at work, achieve my business goals, and really enjoy my downtime.
2 hours of “monk mode” at a time
I started by committing to two hour blocks of monk mode at a time.
To prepare for my shift into monk mode, I eliminated as many distractions as possible. I turned off notifications on my phone and blocked social media sites on my laptop. I calculated that I spent about one to two hours a day – factoring in how long it would take to refocus and pick up where I left off, that was about three hours of wasted time.
I put my phone in another room and worked in a separate desktop window that only had the tabs I needed open. I also picked only a few specific times to check my email and played background music to drown out sirens or the occasional barking of dogs.
The productivity results were almost immediate: I was completing more tasks in a day than I had previously completed in a week. And I was actually working fewer hours! I finished my working day in about six to seven hours instead of nine to ten hours.
My “monk mode” routine
To help maximize my results with monk mode, I created a strict routine. The day before each work day, I made a list of the most difficult tasks that I had to accomplish. Every morning, I got up at 5 a.m., had a coffee, read my Bible, and started my first trick of monk fashion by tackling this list.
At 8am I did a quick workout, had breakfast, then got ready for my second round of monk mode at 9am. I went back to my list of specific tasks for the day, making sure to focus only on completing the most difficult tasks. first until they are finished. If something important came to mind that was off topic, I took a quick note and brushed it out of my mind. When I finished my second monk mode cycle, I checked my email and made a plan for the rest of the day.
Add Pomodoro and “eat the frog”
To improve my productivity even more, I combined monk mode with other productivity hacks.
That day I also tried the Pomodoro technique, which involves working out for 25 minutes straight before taking a five-minute break. I found pairing it with monk mode helped me stay focused when doing tedious tasks and prevented burnout.
I have also integrated the “eat the frog” technique into my routine; I started my day with the most difficult or unpleasant tasks, which helped build momentum and set the tone for the rest of the day.
The last productivity hack involved maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After placing my phone somewhere it wouldn’t distract me, I would fill a tall glass with water and prepare a healthy bowl of nuts and veggies to keep nearby. It really helped me avoid going to the kitchen when I was bored.
I also mainly ate raw vegetables and avoided wheat, sugar and dairy. I made sure to drink plenty of water and get at least seven hours of sleep. By taking care of my body, I found I had more energy and could work longer without feeling tired, which increased my mental clarity and problem-solving ability.
My tips to help you get started with monk mode
- Set your goals by asking yourself, “What do I want to accomplish? “Is he finishing a project?” Learn a new skill? Or write a book? Make a list of your goals and prioritize them.
- Decide how long you want to commit to monk mode and set a time frame – It can be a few hours or a day, a week or a month. Start with a shorter time frame if you’re new to this.
- Identify the things that distract you the most and cut them out – This might include turning off your phone, logging out of social media, or avoiding unnecessary conversations.
- Create a daily schedule that outlines your tasks and blocks out specific times for work, rest, and other activities.
- Make sure your entire daily routine aligns with your goals. This could include waking up early, exercising, meditating, or reading. Routine should help you get into the right mindset for productivity and help you stick to the schedule of daily tasks.
- Monk mode can be intense, so it’s important to take care of your physical and mental health. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and take all your scheduled breaks. When the program is over, relax and recharge. I found that some days I could complete my entire to-do list in one day, but often my list would come back the next day.
- Track your progress with monk mode and adjust your approach as needed.
- Celebrate your successes with technique and learn from your failures.
Once I started using monk mode, I was happier and less stressed. I was choosing to wake up instead of feeling like work was waking me up. I felt like I had taken control of my life and was finally on the right track to achieving my professional and business goals.