Time Management Coach Says This Productivity "Hack" Actually Works
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Think about those chores and admin tasks that never seem to make it off your to-do list: Make dentist appointment. Do tax prep. Clean bathroom. Deal with health insurance claim. Update resume. It turns out that scheduling a "Scary Hour" to get through these annoying or dreaded assignments might actually get them done. Here’s why.
What is Scary Hour?
This trending productivity hack involves setting aside one hour to tackle the to-do’s you’ve been procrastinating. Those molehill chores that have grown into mountains of stress. We all know that putting this stuff off just makes it a bigger and more daunting responsibility than it really is. Scary Hour forces you to deal head on for one dedicated hour a week, or one hour a month, or a day. Hey, it’s your Scary Hour. But that means actually putting it on your calendar to make it legit. Treat this as seriously as you do a work deadline or a hair color appointment. No cancellations. This is happening.
Why does Scary Hour work so well?
“We’re used to showing up for what’s on our calendars, so if you block out the time and are specific about what you’ll be doing, you’re more likely to do it,” says Alexis Haselberger, a time management and productivity coach in San Francisco, CA. “I’ve been implementing this practice in my business and my own life for years, but I call it 'Productivity Power Hour.'"
Most of us are wired to muscle up for a Cal invite, even if it’s from yourself. And, as long as you’ve blocked off that hour, might as well hunker down and get ‘er done! “What can happen at any time often happens at no time — a reason why actually scheduling it can work," add Haselberger. Plus, it’s one hour. That’s manageable. How hard could it be? Just do it!
Tips for a successful Scary Hour
Besides putting S.H. on the calendar, there are some key tips to making this technique really work for you.
Schedule your Scary Hour wisely.
“Recognize that your 8 A.M. self is different from your 8 P.M. self,” says Haselberger, “so it’s important to plan this hour for when you’re likely to have the energy to make it work.” Do you get a second wind in the afternoon, or do you function best after a morning cup of coffee revs you up?
Plan out the exact tasks to accomplish during the hour.
“You want to separate the planning from the doing so that it’s easier to drop into execution mode, and you won’t be spending part of your hour thinking about doing stuff.” You’ll also be ready and in the mindset for the specific chores, whether that’s making sure receipts are together for tax prep or having laundry sorted for the wash.
Set an alarm and a timer.
Making Scary Hour a real thing is the secret to success. Set an alert on your phone — the same kind of 15-minute warning that you get with a Zoom meeting. And be sure to set a timer for one hour. When that hour is up, you are done. “By containing it to an hour, you make it feel less difficult or insurmountable,” says Haselberg. “It no longer feels like an endless slog when you have a clear endpoint."
Schedule the simplest tasks first.
TikTok-er Laur Wheeler, who came up with the social media adulting trend, suggests starting with the easiest chores first to build momentum and help you power through to the tougher, more dreaded ones. Once you successfully complete one thing, you’ll be amped to move on to another and tick it off your list.
Do it with a friend.
“It can be really helpful to have accountability for something like this,” says Haselberg. “In the coaching program I run, we have a weekly focus session where everyone shares what they accomplished in their power hour.” You’re less likely to blow something off if you know that a pal or colleague is going to ask you about it. Consider it added incentive.
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