Rituals: How I'm using 2-week sprints to get things done
Breaking things down helps you take baby steps toward big visionary goals
I’ve been trying something fairly new.
Back when I worked at a fintech startup, engineers used to work in “sprints,” which were focused bursts to achieve a specific goal or task, particularly in the context of software development.
These smaller work increments were accessible enough for everyone in the work group to get onboard and clear that for the next 2 weeks, they would all be working on a specific “thing.”
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I’ve written previously about short and long term goal-setting.
Every now and then, you’ve got to zoom out and look at the bigger picture of your life: what are you doing, where are you heading, and where you’d like to be.
Here’s where it gets tricky: You might see friends and colleagues doing all sorts of fun, big life things, and enjoying all sorts of accomplishments…but it’s important to stick to your timeline and what works best for you.
It’s also important to remember that what you see on social media is (more often than not) not reality.
Influencers are compensated to create storylines to fit theirs and their sponsors’ narratives. I had the pleasure of cackling deliciously as I watched this woman debunk influencer lies:
More importantly, I learned the term “conspicuous leisure.” This is explained at the 30-minute mark, for why “tradwives” have become so popular.
It’s because they are cosplaying a traditional wife role; never mind that people who obsess about this are easily impressionable/impressed, envious, and may lack the financial resources that are undisclosed.
But I digress.
Remember, many of your friends and people are doing just fine, and experience just as much personal, career, and financial success, but don’t advertise it on social.
If you compare yourself to others, then you’re more likely to get stuck and feel overwhelmed, which facilitates procrastination and giving up. Worst case, you’ll spiral out of insecurity and feeling like you’re not enough.
So, let’s focus on how to stay on track.
Sprints are designed to help you avoid the noise, keep your head down and stay focused.
They can work with SMART goals, and even OKRs where you list out your overall strategies and the tactics (action items) you’ll take to get there.
They can also work with an Eisenhower Matrix, that helps you work through urgent and important tasks, and delegate or eliminate unimportant ones.
You can even do exercises like writing down your ideal day, and then assessing if what you’re doing now is working toward that vision.
If you feel like what you’re doing now isn’t helping you get closer to your vision, then you can adjust the levers step-by-step and slowly (whether it’s losing weight, getting fit, eating better, finding a new job, writing a book, starting a company, creating a product, dating, or communicating better with your partner—anything, really!) to get going in the right direction.
If you’re happy with how things are going, then that’s amazing! Acknowledge what’s going well. Your consistency here is your testament to your efforts at achieving your flow.
If you, like me, have experienced periods of fog and feeling stuck or inertia, then it’s time to break up a big or lofty goal into less daunting steps.
This way, you’ll find it easier to get started; I’ve found 2 weeks is a nice period of time to enable regular assessment and reflection, without putting too much pressure or being too hard on myself.
I also think sprints more easily facilitate attainable, realistic action and execution.
Nothing feels better than knowing that you are actually closer to a goal than yesterday, last week, and 2 weeks ago.
What matters is that you get the ball rolling in the right direction.
How I work in 2-week sprints
I plot all my sprint goals on a Notion board, but you can use whatever tool works for you: Google Docs, Sheets, phone Notes—just make it easy to access and check almost daily.
I plot out my sprints by date windows.
Notice that mine aren’t perfect 2-week increments. Sometimes, I just take a couple of days of break in between, and that’s okay.
Then, I have headers for various goals and categories. Under these, I have specific action items, logs, or even checkboxes.
Here’s an example of a fitness sprint:
For money, business, and other professional sprints, if I get them done, then I cross them off or tick the box.
If not, then these tasks roll over into the next sprint—and I don’t give myself a hard time about it.
Sprints can help keep you from idling
When your 2-week sprint goals are laid out like this, then you’ll be able to plan your calendar and make space or block time to work on them.
Just having my them there in my face lets me know to work on, rather than forget them.
You don’t even have to over label or prescribe anything, you just have to make space in your calendar for them.
When I managed a team of people I used to say “your calendar is your integrity.”
Stick to it as best as you can so other activities and people don’t interrupt and steal your precious time.
If you find you have some free time or are lacking focus, then you can always simply consult your sprint list so you don’t feel like you’re idling.
This way, you will always have something productive to do that actually takes you closer to your bigger objectives.
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Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok
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Rituals is a section where on the first Friday of every month, I’ll cover a regular daily, weekly, or monthly personal habit that has become ritual. It may be a lifestyle, wellness, or work practice that has become a valuable and beneficial part of my life. Enjoy!
