Get Your Work Routine into Shape: How CrossFit made my Productivity Better
Have you ever felt like your current routine at work isn’t producing the results you want?
Two years ago, I made a life-changing decision. I realized that my current routine wasn’t cutting it, with four weekly workouts that weren’t producing any new results. I knew it was time to try something different.
I decided to try the place that always caught my eye near my home — the local CrossFit gym. What I didn’t know was that my life was about to change in an instant.
The period of monotonous, repetitive workouts with no sense of satisfaction was over. A new flow of energy entered me. I walked into a place that promised to integrate cardio, strength, technique, and even heart rate into one workout! I couldn’t believe it, but I gave it a chance.
I finished my first workout on the floor of the gym, completely drained, but I knew I had found the perfect place for me.
So why am I telling you all of this?
How does my amazing story of finding myself exhausted on an old gym mat relate to my work life, specifically to productivity and task management?
After a period of training at the new gym, an interesting idea came to my mind. Could I take the CrossFit training method and apply it directly to my daily work routine?
Just like how a workout can become repetitive and dull, work can also feel like a never-ending game with no clear end in sight.
So before I continue, let’s explore some popular CrossFit training principles and simplify them so that we can better understand how they can improve our daily work routine.
Let’s start with “AMRAP” — “as many reps (or rounds) as possible”
In CrossFit, this means performing a set of exercises for a certain amount of time and doing as many rounds or repetitions as you can within that time frame. It may sound easy, but it can be challenging. The key is to choose the right weight so that you can survive until the end of the time frame. The exercises in an “AMRAP” set usually involve movements that can be done quickly and without heavy weights.
When it comes to work, we can apply similar principles by breaking down our tasks into manageable chunks and setting a time frame for completing them. This can be particularly useful for simple, repetitive tasks that don’t require a lot of mental effort, such as fixing bugs or performing routine maintenance.
The key is to choose tasks that can be completed within the given time frame without becoming overly stressed or overwhelmed. By approaching work in this way, we can increase our productivity and motivation, and feel a sense of accomplishment as we work towards completing our goals.
Let’s continue with the next method — “Emom” which stands for “every minute on the minute”
Just like with “AMRAP”, we will create a set of exercises and choose a timeframe, but this time each exercise in the set has one minute to be performed. If we finish quickly, we will have time to rest until the next minute starts. If we don’t finish in time, it’s likely that we overestimated the weight and need to adjust it.
In fact, this method allows us to work on more complex exercises and heavier weights. The rest time provides the ability to regulate breathing and approach the next set in the best possible way.
Now, let’s take another look at our daily work in the office. If we previously took care of the “small” and “simple” tasks, this time we can deal with the “big” and more complex tasks.
This method is perfect for those tasks that need our undivided attention, whether it’s tackling something new, executing a complex project, or diving deep into the details. We set up a time range that includes a “break” so we can tackle these tasks with ease. By giving ourselves this breathing room, we don’t feel overwhelmed, and we’re able to focus on these important tasks without any added pressure. In other words, we give the bigger tasks the attention and respect they deserve while also taking care of ourselves by rewarding our hard work with some rest.
Another important part of the training is “Strength”
It’s the part we start every workout with. Despite the name, its goal is not to push us to our limits but to work on our technique and build our strength so we’re ready for the real workout that follows. This is the time to try out new exercises or improve our technique on more complex ones. It’s also a great opportunity to warm up and prepare for the workout ahead.
When we’re faced with a big project at work, the first step is always preparation, long before any coding begins. We invest time in thorough research and planning, ensuring that the feature has the right design. This is where we can bring all of our energy and creativity to the table and break down the feature into “small tasks,” “big tasks,” “mentally complex tasks,” or “programming complex tasks.”
This preparation is crucial to the success of the project, and it sets the foundation for the rest of the work. It’s like getting ready for a workout: we warm up our muscles and stretch before we start exercising. Similarly, we prepare our minds and skills before we start working on a big feature.
Now that we’ve discussed the principles of “AMRAP”, “EMOM”, and “Strength” and how they can be applied along software development process,
Now let’s walk through an example of developing a to-do list app using these principles
First, we start with Strength. The initial step is to spend time in research and planning, ensuring that the app has the right design. This includes identifying the features, determining how they’ll work together, and breaking down the tasks involved in creating each feature. These tasks are then categorized by their level of complexity: small, big, mentally complex, or programming complex. This preparation sets the foundation for the rest of the work and ensures the app is built on a solid framework.
Next, we move on to “AMRAP”. This principle involves tackling small, less complex tasks. For the to-do list app, this might include building basic features like adding tasks, setting reminders, and organizing tasks by categories. By completing these smaller tasks first, we gain momentum and build confidence in our ability to complete the project.
Finally, we use “EMOM” to tackle the big, more complex tasks. These might include features like task prioritization, user authentication, and integration with other apps. By breaking down these tasks into smaller, manageable pieces and working on them with focused attention for a set period of time, we can make steady progress and avoid burnout.
By using these principles in the development process, we can create a to-do list app that is well-designed, functional, and efficient. Remember, the key is to approach the development process with intention, breaking down tasks by level of complexity and working on them with focused attention. This ensures we’re making steady progress toward our end goal and not getting bogged down by overly complex tasks.
And if you still have some energy left, you can always add a “cash out” round (for bonus points), but we’ll save that for next time.
Stay tuned for more development and task management tips and tricks in future articles.
DISCLOSURE: The phrases “Emom,” “Amrap,” “Strength,” and “Cash out” mentioned in this post are not owned or invented by me. These terms are commonly used in CrossFit workouts, and I came across them while training. Everything I say about these phrases in this post is my own interpretation based on my experience with CrossFit. I do not claim to be an expert in CrossFit or to have any ownership or affiliation with these terms. I am sharing my personal opinions and experiences only.
