🌱 The best 20-minutes of the quarter

Learn: 20-min Review, Event Playbook, 20-min Timer

Read: 3 mins

Greetings from Buenos Aires, 

Nowadays we are obsessed about damn time (Lizzo voice). 

Yet somehow, we’re better at spending our credit cards, than our time. 

If time was money, we should pay in small installments. And default way more than we pay off. 

This newsletter is your payment planner, for your time. (interest-free, but always interesting) 

🔍 Anti-Inertia → 20-Minute Quarterly Review

The law of inertia was Newtown’s first law. 

Objects in motion tend to stay in motion. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest.

Cognitive inertia (or “status quo bias”) is our resistance to change. We tend to stick to existing beliefs, habits, and ideas — even if they no longer serve us. 

The quarterly review is the best tool I’ve found to fight the tight grip of inertia. 

But by default, any change or things like a quarterly review are HARD. 

Here’s how to make it easy. 

• Do just a “20-minute review.” Anything longer is a bonus. 

• Archive everything. Inbox emails, to-dos, notes, etc. Get back to zero.

• Deep exhale. It's okay. We have a fresh new quarter.

In Gmail: Select all → Archive

(this doesn't delete them, can still search if needed)

📸 Time Well Spent

This week I co-hosted a lil' get-together here in BA using Nick Gray's epic “2-Hour Cocktail Party” format.

A few takeaways…

1) Intentionality. Small structure goes a LONG way.

2) The “NICK” formula works. 

• 𝐍ametags

• 𝐈cebreakers

• 𝐂ocktails only (no dinner)

• 𝐊ick 'em out (only 2 hours)

3) Agenda. Use simple agenda & checklists to rinse and repeat.

We did a quick recap circle at the end. People loveeeed making meaningful connections and fun icebreakers. Definitely will be doing more of these.

I made this Notion template for the event to make it easy and repeatable (which includes links to many of Nick's examples too). Check it out and try hosting one yourself!

Feel free to make a copy of the template here.

⏲️ 20-Minute Chunks 

I love a good brainstorm or planning sesh…but the magic happens by taking action.  

Can use any app, to-do list, pen/paper, etc.

Most often I just Google, “start timer 20 minutes” and get going. (While bumping Lizzo beats of course)

Con mucho gusto, 

Mitchell aka “Timekeeper”