Cultivating coolness

The power of playful time constraints

Staying relevant as we evolve isn’t about hustling harder. It’s about cultivating a quiet, grounded kind of cool — the kind that comes from knowing yourself and staying engaged with life, on your own terms.

How do we get to that coolness?

Here today is one technique that I warmly recommend. It has at least helped me.

Playful schedule blocks with a time constraint and lighthearted philosophy.

Key word = playful

I first started setting time constraints to help me get unstuck. When I hit a roadblock on a project, I designated maximum 90 minutes to do something with it fully immersed. Then. No matter where I was on it when time ran out – even if I didn’t come up with anything actually useful so far – I required myself to stop and change focus.

I saw it like a game. A kind-hearted negotiation with myself.

Work on it this long. Don’t evaluate the results. Then without guilt you can put it away. You will have done your best for that moment.

The 90-mins completed might even deserve a coffee or chocolate!

Constraints spark new solutions

Structure in general channels energy and focus. Setting a playful constraint – a boundary within which you require yourself to do something, anything, it doesn’t matter what as long as it is on topic – encourages exploring more widely and with a more open mind.

We are talking here about two or three 90-minute blocks in a week. Relaxing our expectations of daily structure. It’s not real life to only check-off “A priorities.”

Too much intensity narrows our thinking.

Especially useful in times of transition

During transitions, one must “let go” in order to move forward. Allow oneself to consider new views that are at first unfamiliar, uncomfortable. Playful time blocks greatly benefit the “letting go and re-engaging” process. They help us gently get to know new ideas more in the spirit of a curious puppy than of that voice in our heads from the task master.

Space to evolve

Playful time blocks allow space for being calm. They bring a sense of lighthearted discovery. Spark new empathy with ourselves about our dilemmas.

Using them regularly accumulates new ideas, supports a positive mindset, and helps to recognize progress.

It builds self-trust in your own process.

Cultivates your cool.