Why Successful People Spend 10 Hours A Week On “Compound Time” and How To Build A Weekly Newsletter

Why Successful People Spend 10 Hours A Week On “Compound Time” and How To Build A Weekly Newsletter

Successful people in the business world often find time to step away from their urgent work and invest in activities that have long-term payoffs. This concept, known as "compound time," is similar to compound interest, where a small investment now yields large returns over time. In this article, we will explore the importance of compound time and how it can benefit your life and work. We will also discuss how to build a weekly newsletter, using insights from Neville Medhora, a renowned copywriter.

One of the key aspects of compound time is keeping a journal. Many top performers go beyond open-ended reflection and use specific prompts with a physical journal. For example, Josh Waitzkin, a grandmaster chess player and world champion martial artist, follows a journaling system based on studying complexity. He reduces complexity to the most important question, sleeps on it, and then engages in pre-input brainstorming in the morning. This process feeds his unconscious mind and allows for creative thinking and problem-solving.

Another powerful hack for compound time is taking naps. Naps can dramatically increase learning, memory, awareness, creativity, and productivity. Research has shown that an hour to an hour and a half nap can provide similar benefits in learning consolidation as a full night's sleep. People who study in the morning and take an hour-long nap perform about 30% better on an evening test compared to those who don't nap. Naps also induce hypnagogia, a state of awareness between sleep and wakefulness, which can enhance creativity.

Exercise is another crucial component of compound time. Top performers incorporate exercise into their daily routine, with walking being the most common form. Just 15 minutes of walking per day can work wonders for your physical and mental well-being. Exercise helps to increase energy levels, improve focus, and reduce stress. It is a simple yet effective way to invest in your long-term health and productivity.

Reading is one of the most beneficial activities you can invest in. Books provide a wealth of knowledge and insights that can help you achieve your goals. They improve memory, increase empathy, and reduce stress. Bill Gates, the richest person in the world, is known for his love of reading and considers books to be his favorite learning medium. Reading compresses a lifetime's worth of impactful knowledge into a few hours of your time, making it the ultimate return on investment.

Success is not solely an individual endeavor. It is often a result of collaboration and conversation. Joshua Shenk, in his book "Powers Of Two: Finding the Essence of Innovation in Creative Pairs," argues that creativity is social. Having conversation partners can lead to surprising breakthroughs and new ideas. Engaging in meaningful discussions and bouncing ideas off each other can enhance your creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Incorporating compound time into your life requires experimentation and taking risks. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, emphasizes the importance of experimenting and taking action. He believes that success is directly linked to the number of experiments you perform. No matter how much you read and discuss, you will still need to make your own mistakes and learn from them. Embrace the 5-hour rule, which suggests investing an hour a day in compound time activities such as napping, walking, reading, and having conversations. This approach has proved successful for some of the world's greatest minds and can work for you too.

Now, let's shift our focus to building a weekly newsletter. Neville Medhora, a renowned copywriter, shares his insights on creating a successful newsletter. One key aspect is having a consistent structure. Neville uses a template of six items that he includes in his newsletter every week. This not only makes it easier to create content but also makes it more interesting for readers. Consistency and structure are essential for engaging your audience and maintaining their interest.

When it comes to content, people often think of articles. However, other forms of content, such as quizzes, calculators, and infographics, can often outperform articles. It's important to diversify your content and experiment with different formats to see what resonates best with your audience. Remember, content creation is not limited to text alone.

Niche websites, like Neville's newsletter, can be a great business model for creators. Building a business solely around a newsletter or podcast can be challenging. However, by creating a niche website that offers valuable content and serves a specific audience, you can attract a loyal following and monetize your platform effectively. This business model allows for scalability and multiple revenue streams.

In conclusion, compound time is a valuable investment that successful people make in activities with long-term payoffs. Incorporating journaling, napping, exercise, reading, conversation, and experimentation into your routine can yield significant benefits in terms of knowledge, creativity, and productivity. Additionally, building a weekly newsletter requires a consistent structure, diversified content, and a niche audience. By following these actionable advice, you can enhance your personal and professional growth and achieve success in your endeavors.