There is no right time. Just time and what you do with it.

How to thrive in imperfect conditions

Aug 23, 2024

We often find ourselves waiting for the "perfect moment" to begin. We tell ourselves that we'll start that project when we have more time. Or launch that business when we have more capital, or begin that fitness routine when life is less hectic. But here's the truth: there is no right time. There's just time, and what you do with it.

This concept isn't about pressuring yourself to be productive every second of every day. Rather, it's about recognizing the value of the time we have and making conscious decisions about how we use it. Let's explore how we can shift our mindset and actions to make the most of our time, regardless of our circumstances.

The myth of the perfect moment

We're often paralyzed by the idea that we need perfect conditions to start something new or make a change. This perfectionist mindset can be a significant barrier to progress. In reality, the "perfect" moment rarely, if ever, arrives. Life is inherently messy and unpredictable. Waiting for all the stars to align before taking action is a recipe for inaction and regret.

Instead of waiting for the right time, we need to make the time right. This means working with what we have, where we are. It's about taking imperfect action rather than waiting for perfect conditions:

Recognize that imperfect action beats perfect inaction every time. Even if you can only dedicate 15 minutes a day to your goal, that's infinitely better than waiting for a mythical perfect day to arrive.
Embrace the concept of "good enough." Often, our first attempts won't be our best, but they're necessary for learning and improvement. Remember, you can't edit a blank page.
Use the "if-then" planning technique to overcome common obstacles. For example, "If I don't have an hour for a full workout, then I'll do a 10-minute high-intensity interval training session."
Practice visualizing success despite imperfect conditions. This mental rehearsal can help you feel more comfortable taking action in less-than-ideal circumstances.

Example: The "Good Enough" web performance tool

I remember when I first had the idea for a web performance tool - a Chrome Extension for measuring Web Vitals. I kept putting it off, thinking I needed more time to plan every feature perfectly. Weeks went by, and I hadn't written a line of code.

One day, frustrated with my lack of progress, I decided to just start. I gave myself one hour to create the simplest possible version of the tool. It was far from perfect - it could only show you a traffic light color for whether your page was effectively fast or slow. But it worked.

That imperfect start was crucial. Over the next few days, I iteratively improved the tool, adding features and sharing with colleagues. What began as a bare-bones project eventually evolved into a project used by 100s of thousands of developers.

This experience taught me that starting with a "good enough" version and iterating is far more valuable than waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect plan.

The power of small beginnings

One of the most effective ways to combat the "perfect moment" myth is to embrace the power of small beginnings. Often, we overestimate what we can achieve in a day and underestimate what we can achieve in a year. This leads to procrastination on big goals because they seem overwhelming.

The solution is to break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Instead of waiting to have a full hour to work out, start with just five minutes of exercise today. Rather than waiting until you have the perfect business plan, start by writing down one idea each day. These small actions might seem insignificant in the moment, but they add up over time, creating momentum and building habits:

Use the "1% Rule" – focus on getting 1% better each day. This small improvement compounds over time, leading to significant progress.
Implement "habit stacking" – attach a new small habit to an existing one. For example, if you want to start meditating, do it right after brushing your teeth in the morning.
Create a "minimum viable action" for each of your goals. This is the smallest possible step you can take towards your goal. For learning a language, it might be learning one new word a day.
Use the "two-minute rule" for habit formation: when starting a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do. This lowers the barrier to entry and makes it easier to begin.

Example: How I ramped up on AI

I applied this principle when learning more about AI in recent years . Instead of trying to master the space in one go (impossible), I committed to learning one new concept or feature each day and beginning to implement it in side-projects.

Over a year, this approach allowed me to gain deeper expertise in LLMs, RAG, GANs etc. By focusing on one concept at a time and consistently applying what I learned, I was able to transition from an AI novice to someone capable of leveraging AI to effectively enhance my productivity.

Creating systems, not goals

While goals are important for giving us direction, systems are crucial for making progress. A goal is your desired outcome, but a system is the process that leads to those outcomes. Instead of focusing solely on what you want to achieve, shift your attention to the daily processes that will lead you there.

For instance, if your goal is to write a book, your system might be to write 500 words every day, regardless of how you feel or how busy you are. This approach takes the emphasis off the daunting end goal and puts it on the daily actions you can control:

Implement a "decision-making system" to reduce decision fatigue. For example, decide on your workout routine for the week in advance, so you don't have to make decisions daily.
Use "if-then" systems to automate your responses to common situations. For instance, "If it's 7 PM, then I start my evening reading routine."
Create a "failure system" – a set of actions you'll take when you inevitably miss a day or fall short of your goals. This prevents temporary setbacks from becoming permanent derailments.
Implement a "review and adjust" system. Regularly assess your systems (weekly or monthly) and make tweaks based on what's working and what isn't.

An example - The 500-Word System

When I decided to write my first book, I was overwhelmed by the scale of the project. I had a full-time job and couldn't fathom how I'd find time to write an entire book.

The solution was to create a system. I committed to writing 500 words every day, no matter what. I set up a simple routine:

1. Find 30 minutes during the day e.g. wake up earlier or take a shorter lunch break

2. Make a cup of coffee.

3. Open my laptop and write 500 words before checking email or social media.

This system made the daunting task manageable. Some days, the words flowed easily, and I'd write more. Other days, it was a struggle to hit 500. But the system kept me consistent.

After six months, I had a first full draft. More importantly, I had developed a writing habit that has served me well in all my subsequent books and articles. This experience showed me the power of focusing on the process rather than the end goal. By creating a system and sticking to it, I accomplished something that initially seemed impossible.

The compound effect of consistent action

Consistency is key when it comes to making the most of your time. Small actions, repeated consistently over time, lead to significant results. This is the principle of compound interest applied to personal development.

Let's say you decide to read 10 pages of a book every day. It might not seem like much, but over a year, that's 3,650 pages – equivalent to about 18 average-sized books. This principle applies to any area of life: fitness, learning a new skill, or building relationships. The key is to focus on consistency rather than intensity:

Use a "don't break the chain" method. Create a visual representation of your consistency (like marking Xs on a calendar) and aim to keep the chain unbroken.
Implement a "minimum viable consistency" approach. On days when you can't do your full routine, have a minimal version that you can still accomplish to maintain consistency.
Practice "habit tracking" to build awareness of your consistency. Use apps or a simple notebook to log your daily actions.
Understand the "plateau of latent potential." Progress often isn't linear, and there may be periods where you don't see visible results. Trust in the compound effect and keep going.

Overcoming the urgency fallacy

It's easy to fall into the trap of always dealing with what seems urgent, at the expense of what's truly important. This "urgency fallacy" can keep us busy without making real progress on our most significant goals.

To combat this, use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance. Focus on activities that are important but not necessarily urgent – these are often the ones that contribute most to long-term success and fulfillment:

Implement "time blocking" in your schedule. Allocate specific time slots for important, non-urgent tasks to ensure they don't get pushed aside by seemingly urgent matters.
Practice the "10-10-10 Rule" when making decisions: How will you feel about this decision 10 minutes from now? 10 months from now? 10 years from now? This helps prioritize truly important actions over merely urgent ones.
Use the "touch it once" principle for small tasks. When you encounter a task that can be completed quickly, do it immediately rather than putting it off and having to revisit it later.
Regularly audit your commitments and responsibilities. Use the "Hell Yeah or No" approach: if it's not a "Hell Yeah," it's a "No." This helps prevent over-commitment to urgent but unimportant tasks.

Leveraging your chronotype

We all have natural rhythms that affect our energy and focus throughout the day. Some people are early birds, while others are night owls. Instead of fighting against your natural tendencies, work with them. Identify your most productive hours and schedule your most important or challenging tasks during these times.

If you're a morning person, use the early hours for deep work or creative tasks. If you're more alert in the evening, plan your brainstorming or problem-solving sessions for later in the day. By aligning your activities with your natural rhythms, you can maximize your productivity and make better use of your time:

Take a chronotype quiz to identify your natural rhythms. Common types include Lion (early morning), Bear (mid-morning), Wolf (evening), and Dolphin (variable).
Experiment with your sleep schedule to find your optimal wake time. This might involve gradually shifting your bedtime earlier or later.
Plan your meals and exercise routines around your chronotype. For example, night owls might benefit from fasting in the morning and having their first meal later in the day.
Use "productivity tracking" to identify your peak hours. Keep a log of your energy levels and productivity throughout the day for a week to spot patterns.

The two-minute rule

For tasks that take less than two minutes to complete, do them immediately. This simple rule, popularized by productivity consultant David Allen, can help prevent small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming. It's also a great way to build momentum and create a sense of accomplishment throughout your day.

Responding to that quick email, making your bed, or filing away a document might seem trivial, but these small completions can boost your motivation and clear mental space for more important tasks:

Create a "two-minute task list" for when you have small pockets of time. These are perfect for waiting rooms, commutes, or between meetings.
Use the two-minute rule as a "getting started" strategy for larger tasks. Often, once you start, you'll find it easier to continue beyond the initial two minutes.
Practice "task batching" for similar two-minute tasks. For example, batch all your quick emails or phone calls together to maintain focus and efficiency.
Implement a "five-minute favor" policy. If someone asks for help and it will take less than five minutes, do it right away. This builds goodwill and often leads to reciprocation.

Embracing constraints

Often, we view limitations on our time or resources as obstacles. However, constraints can actually boost creativity and efficiency. When we have limited time, we're forced to prioritize and focus on what's truly essential.

Try setting artificial constraints for yourself. Give yourself less time than you think you need for a task. This can help you focus and avoid perfectionism. Remember, done is often better than perfect, especially when it comes to making progress over time:

Use the "Pomodoro Technique" to create time constraints. Work in focused 25-minute intervals, followed by short breaks.
Practice "forced deadlines" by publicly committing to finishing tasks by a certain time. The social pressure can be a powerful motivator.
Implement "resource constraints" in your projects. Limit yourself to using only certain tools or materials. This can spark creative problem-solving.
Try "constraint brainstorming." When faced with a problem, ask yourself, "How would I solve this if I only had X (limited resource)?" This can lead to innovative solutions.

Example: The 48-Hour Challenge

In one of my roles at Google, we explored an idea called the "48-Hour Challenge" for tackling complex problems or kickstarting new projects - it’s just another flavor of a hackathon. Here's how it worked:

1. We'd gather a small team and clearly define the problem or project goal.

2. The team had exactly 48 hours to come up with a working prototype or solution.

3. At the end of the 48 hours, we'd demo the result to stakeholders, no matter how rough it was.

This time constraint forced us to focus on the core problem, avoid perfectionism, and think creatively. Some of our most innovative solutions came out of these challenges.

The tight deadline pushed us to strip away non-essential features and focus on the core functionality. It also created a sense of urgency and excitement that boosted team morale and creativity.

The power of reflection and iteration

Regular reflection is crucial for making the most of your time. At the end of each week or month, take some time to review what you've accomplished, what worked well, and what didn't. Use these insights to refine your approach and make better use of your time going forward.

This iterative process allows you to continuously improve your systems and habits. It's not about getting everything perfect from the start, but about learning and adjusting as you go:

Implement a "Friday Review" ritual. Spend 30 minutes every Friday afternoon reflecting on your week and planning for the next one.
Use a "plus/minus/next" framework for reflection. What went well (plus)? What didn't go well (minus)? What will you do differently next time (next)?
Practice "habit tracking" and review your data regularly. Look for patterns in your successful and unsuccessful days.
Create a "personal board of advisors." Regularly consult with mentors or trusted friends who can provide outside perspective on your progress and strategies.

Conclusion: make time work for you

Remember, there is no "right time" – there's just time, and what you choose to do with it. Instead of waiting for perfect conditions or more time, focus on making the most of the time you have right now. Start small, be consistent, create systems, work with your natural rhythms, and continuously reflect and improve.

Time is the most valuable resource we have. It's finite and non-renewable. By shifting your mindset and implementing these strategies, you can make your time work for you, moving steadily towards your goals and creating a life of purpose and fulfillment.

The key is to start now, with what you have, where you are.