Quick Summary: To take an “Amish Hour” just don’t use technology 1 hour before bed. Easy!
– Better sleep-
– More productivity –
– Increased concentration –
….that’s what you get when you take an “Amish Hour”!
“Amish Hour” is when: One hour before bed you shun technology.
Benefits you get from doing a daily Amish Hour:
- Better sleep.
- Wrapping up the day.
- Improvement in concentration.
- Developing a fantastic collection of notes. <~~ (my fav)
- Learning new stuff through concentrated reading.
- It forces me to take some time to wind down the day and plan the next day.
Why does an “Amish Hour” matter for copywriters and marketers?
Having a well-rested, playful, and focused brain helps massively when it comes to creativity.
Most of the best performing pieces of copy I’ve put out start their life as a thought in my brain that says….“Wouldn’t it be cool if I……..?”
Those kinds of moments don’t come from a scatterbrain.
My “Amish Hour” wind-down sequence at night:
- I make sure to complete the next days to-do list.
- I tell Siri to set my alarm for whatever time in the morning.
- Put my phone on the charger, but like 4 feet away from my bed….unreachable distance.
- I grab one of those $0.97 “composition notebooks” from Wal-Mart for taking notes.
- I grab the book I’m reading or (magazine or newspaper or whatever) and start learning!
- I make sure not to use any type of backlit screen, or distraction-prone device like a TV, Computer, or Phone.
Where did “The Amish Hour” idea come from?
Since smart phones started becoming hella prevalent across the landscape, I’ve seen a noticeable lack of concentration from myself and others.
In fact, for my 31st and 32nd birthday parties I held Reading Parties:
The basic idea was everyone shows up with a book…..then at 9pm everyone reads for 1 hour. No laptops allowed, no iPads allowed, and phones turned off. The weird thing is, A LOT of people had trouble focusing on a book for just one hour!
But I’ve noticed my OWN concentration go down noticeably…..and the one of the main culprits is my phone or computer. Just one tap and I’m playing chess, or browsing Facebook, or perusing photos.
This is why by creating a distraction-free environment I’ve been able to get sooooo much more reading, learning, and note-taking done:
Stipulations:
Ok, now I’m well aware damn-near EVERYTHING we have is fueled by technology: The lights in my room, the printing press that printed the book, the air conditioner…….but the point here isn’t to 100% shun technology, rather it’s to make our environment distraction-free as possible for one hour before bed.
So tonight, it would be cool if you took your own “Amish Hour”!
Once again, whenever I do an Amish Hour before bed, I personally get these benefits:
- Better sleep.
- Improvement in concentration.
- Developing a fantastic collection of notes. <~~ (my fav)
- Learning new stuff through concentrated reading.
- It forces me to take some time to wind down the day and plan the next day.
So take an Amish Hour at least 5 nights of the week, and watch as you get smarter.
Sincerely,
Neville Medhora
P.S. Let me know in the comments that you will commit to a a daily Amish Hour (at least 5 days a week). Write something like “Yes Neville I’m totally down for doing an Amish Hour!”
P.P.S. Only 17 Amish people were hurt in the making of this post.
Just read the post, down for the challenge lets get the bread lol.
I’ll give it my best shot – thanks for the lovely advice
You’re very welcome Ali, best of luck on your Amish Hour!
Good afternoon Neville,
First of all, I would like to thank you for your out-of-bounds effort which is definitely good for what ails us.
Being the part of Internet Generation, I genuinely find myself in need of the material you posted. So, to update you about my Amish Hour plan, which will begin from tonight, I am writing this comment purposefully, also to thank you fully. I work as both an Email Compiler and a proofreader in Customer Service Department of a brand that deals with real estate transactions made online. So currently, I am at work. My working hrs begin from 9:00 AM and end at 06:00 PM. I would like you to email me details which can help me in writing up my to-do-list more efficiently. Looking forward to your reply to this comment.
Stay blessed and may you be rewarded for this humanitarian act.
Respect from Lahore, Pakistan.
Well I’m very glad you took this to heart and will be using it Hafsa :-)
Great idea! I’m going to do this on week/school nights! 👊
I gonna try 5 days a week Amish hour 👏🏽👏🏽
Do it!!
haa! wish I could take an amish hour myself. I work online and sometimes my be with my laptop all day long. And now, I just started getting serious with a language I’ve been learning for years. So I listen to audio anytime I have the chance on my phone so I don’t know when I’ll be able to get my own amish hour.
I love to read before falling asleep…I haven’t bought any new books in some time… relying more on computers…can’t say I like it. I am taking up this amish hour starting today… gonna buy books and relax an hour before bed… thanks.
Great idea!
I tried to make Sunday “amish-day” when i could use phone only for incoming calls and geo-fencing but it’s not easy especially in winter.
Also our Slack pinging me when we have new customers (not only orders but chat’s also) so i sometimes personally help customers with resume writing questions.
“Amish hour” is definitely a thing to try.
This tech stuff really does mess with the brain waves, doesn’t it. No wonder were all ab unch of little adhds running around, only to have doctors prescribe med. 😏. I can’t thank you enough for this info. 😆😙
That’s why I’m so restless while trying to sleep. I’m like, HELLOO, I just read the Bible , why am I always so anxious and my whole being feels so unsettled still. Thnk you this post. It was timely.
Hi Neville;
I work in front of a Pc 10 hours a day so, even if reading books is my favourite hobby since when I was 5, my eyes do not cooperate.
Does radio (no music, only journalism, neswpapers reading and information) or audiobooks comply with the Amish Hour? Or is this tech as well?
Thanks
Raffa Italy
Yes, Neville I will commit to Amish Hour for 5 nights. My wife and read before we go to bed but hit Facebook before that, My wife.would frown at the beard though. :
Man, this is the most hilarious and helpful piece of content I´ve ever read. I already feel as if you´re one of my old friends from school. Thanks for the idea and the cool energy.
I was already following something along these lines, but at least now there’s an awesome name for it :)
Neville,
I do remember hearing that screens trigger things in your brain for improper sleeping, but this has reawaken my desire to try and do this!!! Let’s do Amish hour!
I’m goin to put this in trello 2remind me. Only joking.
Sounds great idea,in my experience I actually use comedy (American/BBC TV shows) to help me relax and sleep better. It’s worked for many years now and helped me fight anxiety/stress. I always read pulp too, despite my live of usef technology and working in the industry, you cannot beat paper (and a pen).
A great name for a simple concept. I am recommending a similar device down time regimen in the second book I am writing: “Working Like a Dog – Part 2 – Life Lessons”. I will make reference to your concept and include your name.
Thanks!
Moe
That’s an amazing idea. I have so many books that I want to read but can’t seem to get time for those. I planned on reading them on morning, but waking up early became a bigger challenge. I will definitely give this a try.
Hi Nev,
Just wonder what do you mean by “concentrated reading” in Amish hour. Do you mean active reading of taking note of what you read?
Cheers,
Pop
I have a semi- amish hour in that I try to read every night but i’m totally busted in that, I end the evening scrolling through FB or doing something on my phone. . . . not as smart as I thought I was. #epicfail. But today is always a good day to start a new habit. So here we go. i’ll commit to 3 days a week. cuz I know myself. Thanks for all your posts. Your tips/tricks get me so fired up that I’ve actually bothered to leave a comment. Something I NEVER DO. Good for you with all your “golden rule” mindset. May you be blessed with incredible prosperity.
“Success is determined by how many people are better off because you lived.” You may or may not think that you have accomplished this, but I am sure many people’s businesses, and lives overall (due to the reduction of stress, over their marketing efforts) have improved dramatically because of your efforts.
Cheers! Keep kicking butt!
“What is best in life?” “Crush your enemies. See them driven before you. Hear the lamentations of their women … no, wait … Success is determined by how many people are better off because you lived.” “That is good! That is good.”
Don’t get me wrong. . . . there is always room for crushing enemies and lamenting women.
Be good Sam!
Nice Sharing. Love it :)
TOTALLY DOING THIS!
yes, I need to do this, and thank you for the tip Neville! I am going to blog about this and give you back links and attribution fo sho!
I already love you for the to-do list you use – because I use the same (and that makes it super-awesome eh?)
I feel like kicking my butt because we’ve made “Amish Hour” mandatory for my son…and he’s bright and happy, so why didn’t I simply let that Child be Father of the Man? The things we miss that are right under our nose! And here I’ve been, wondering why my productivity has been waning for the past couple of weeks.
Reading your post made me analyze my day in 15 minute slots and I find that I’ve been sleeping later – because it is so easy to work in the quiet of night, which isn’t a bad thing but am up at 5.30 am and while I am not the grumpy type, I do feel tired. Silly me!
*Pencilling in “Amish Hour” in my nicely revamped schedule!* Thank you Brother Nevilleton!
@Neville
Did You ever share how You actually take notes like this guy :
http://ryanholiday.net/the-notecard-system-the-key-for-remembering-organizing-and-using-everything-you-read/
I think I take notes differently than Ryan.
I mark up books still a little, but MAINLY write the notes in notebooks so I can find them again.
A reading party? If I weren’t already happily married for nearly ten years with two beautiful children I’d run away and have reading parties with you every night, lol. I love the idea of an Amish hour especially because I prefer reading to TV and movies. I just need to buy some print books so I’m not reading on my phone.
I Love it. Amish Hour Might be Hard to do with kids but I’m giving it a try anyway. I Think I need to make them do it too. That’s the only way for me to get an entire hour to myself distraction free. The 5 year old will be the toughest. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks Neville.
Nice! Maybe try giving them a book to read instead of the iPad?
I can definitely see how sticking an iPad in their face to keep them quiet is a super-easy habit to fall into. However I think it’ll be good for you and your kids. Plus greatly increase their concentration!
Do I have your permission to put a link of your to-do-list video on my blog?
You sure do :)
OK, I’m trying this whole being Amish thing (well, except the puppy mill part – that’s just cruel). Unfortunately, after all these years of falling asleep to old TV reruns, I’m lying in a dark room, and my brain can’t seem to handle the quiet. Does that get better with practice?
YEAH IT DOES!
Just like anything, this takes PRACTICE. Grab a good book you’re interested in reading and try that out. Reading is the perfect mixture of learning something new + helping you fall asleep.
And ummm….get that TV out of your bedroom!!!
Carley, as a compromise you could also listen to some music, or a chapter of an audio book. That uses technology, but avoids the video screen.
I was doing this for a while and was getting a really solid amount of sleep and felt a noticeable increase in my productivity. Then, I got away from it and definitely saw those benefits fade. I am coming back to it now! Thanks for the reminder!
Welcome!
I go in-and-out with this too….and I definitely notice my sleep is crappier when I use a screen before bed time.
When I do a proper Amish Hour I’m bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning!
Neville, this is probably THE MOST PROBLEMATIC issue in my life, just sayin for the record. Thanks for the idea I’m totally goin Amish tonight. Will update on results.
Good! You will notice it’s difficult at first unless you literally set a time to start at (shut off tv, set alarm and put phone away from bed, turn off computers).
That will make it a lot easier!
Also get a nice book and notebook ready and start learning something new….plus you’ll sleep sooo much better!
Totally doing this. I’ve been trying to, but this challenge gives me the nudge I needed!
Perfect!
I actually put it in my to-do list so I consciously remember to do this. Otherwise I get sucked right back into using my phone or computer or tv. Good luck!
Amish Hour starts tonight. Although my furniture is Shaker and my oats are from Quaker. I need to stick to one sect…
So…..you’re a Shaker Quaker??
Good idea, but when I was growing up we just called it the 80s…
BAHAHAHAH!! Exactly! I’m trying to take you back to the 1880’s ;-)
(well…for an hour)!
We’ve been doing Amish Hour for a while now. I just didn’t know it was called Amish Hour! Mostly it’s for the benefit of my kids – so they can stop staring at a glowing screen and give their eyes and brain a rest. It just makes good sense.
Yeah it definitely makes sense…..I’d say ESPECIALLY for kids so they don’t get in the habit.
It’s amazing to see how much easier it is to get to sleep (and the quality of the sleep) when I do an Amish Hour at night!
This study, actually it’s inverse, overwhelmingly proves your point.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150611174203.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fmind_brain+%28Mind+%26+Brain+News+–+ScienceDaily%29
Hahahha….exactly!
In my 2nd year of college me and my dorm roommate both got these 400w halogen upward-facing lamps for our tiny little dorm.
It made the whole thing SO SO SO SO bright.
Neither of us went to bed before 6am that first week. Only until we started turning off those super bright lights!
Sick of all the “Proof” to your point?? You are on to a Kure for insomnia?
I gotta drop the K thing. It’s addictive.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/cognitive-behaviour-therapy-is-one-of-the-most-effective-treatments-for-insomnia-study-shows-20150612-ghlr40.html
I’ll try the Amish Hour, it’s a good idea.
Can you suggest something to build self-discipline?
DO something everyday for 30 days.
I personally have a big ole mirror in my living room (near my desk) that I keep track of my calories on right now. Since I get in the habit of writing my calories and works on the mirror, I pay extra attention and make sure to do it.
Maybe tell a friend (or the world through your blog) that you’re gonna do something. Then post a small update everyday. Very helpful technique!
@Nev – what is the best way to ask you or engage with the forum on topics that may not relate to your posts?
I have a question, but it’s off-topic of this thread and your previous posts.
I’m curious on your thoughts / experience, if you have any, on how to best incorporate some of the common copywrite themes into a pitch deck..
You can do consults with me:
https://www.copywritingcourse.com/secret
@Nev – cool; I’d like to do that (here’s the) but, I’ve been bootstrapping and I’m running on fumes in my personal bank account. Hoping to raise a small seed round this summer to get an engineer or two on board and for sales & marketing. Hopefully, we can get a few $’s raised and then I can re-visit the consults…
Pat
Talk then! In the meantime, hustle hard!
Neville, this is great. I recently came to the same understanding and now instead of watching TV before bed, I’m doing my best to turn off all electronics and read something entertaining.
I’m down for the Amish Hour!
Ugghh….watching TV before bed is
1.) Horrible for your sleep.
2.) Total waste of time.
Stop it. Do something productive instead!
Said in my caveman voice ”me do armish hour ”
It’s funny how the basic things have been so overlooked by so many people, thanks for the motivation Nev
Welcome Mark.
MARK DO HOUR NO TECHNOLOGY
I’ve tried this before but always seem to relapse, so I’m down for the challenge. Oh, and this morning I read that three studies have found that students who take notes with pen and paper retain more and are less distracted than those who take notes on their laptops. So yes to taking notes during Amish Hour!
You need to actively try to do it….it’s sooo easy to get distracted otherwise.
Taking notes has LONG been proven to increase retention…..and even if you don’t remember it from that day, later on when you review the notes you remember.
Taking notes is crucial to not only getting value from the sleep benefits of Amish Hour, but also build you up a fine library of great notes!
Yeah the eye-opening article here is a great read: https://gigaom.com/2014/09/01/what-is-the-blue-light-from-our-screens-really-doing-to-our-eyes/
Looks like the products are Lighting Science’s Good Night (red) bulb and Awake and Alert (blue) light.
Totally forgot about these — thanks for reminding!
Totally not Amish Hour but I’m curious how reading the Kindle app on iPad with the black Night setting is affecting my sleep… Probably blinding me slowly (like the little kid in the app icon, reading under a tree… In the fukin dark!).
Yeah I liked the old kindles because it’s literally just like paper…….and I’m an even BIGGER fan of physical books (although everything will quickly transition to digital I’m sure).
For night time, try to read a book….or just sit with a pad & pen and take notes. So productive!
It’s very offensive for Amish people, dude. Shame on you!
(nah! I’m joking! It’s a great idea!)
Lol…..Amish people sound cool, they probably wouldn’t be offended (probably flattered)!
I swear by this. I started doing it when my kid was little. “Amish Hour” is a better name than my “Wind-Down Time.” (the power of copywriting!) We spend most of the time together just reading. Thank goodness kid is now old enough to read on his own I am free to read grownup books. And no, I am not the stalked wife of the guy above, tho my husband would say I’ve been preaching this to him too.
Hhahaha…..Wind Down Time is probably more PC than “Amish Hour” :-)
(although I have a feeling most Amish people could care less, they’d probably take it as a compliment)!
It is difficult to get others on board with this….especially kids and husbands I’m sure. Everyone likes to wind down differently.
However there IS something powerful about doing something on your own and setting an example, and having people WILLINGLY FOLLOW your lead rather than pushing it on them.
Good luck converting them!
For my son it was easy. He’s young with a “plastic” mind (unlike husbands!). Now is routine and a habit. Habits are powerful. I’m a big believer in hacking habits for breaking the bad and instilling the good.
Is a big help that I read alongside him — like your reading parties. Sets the tone. He’s hyper and would have defaulted to something else. He’s even an avid reader during the day.
Speaking of reading parties, setting an example and having a group of like-minded cohorts … I’m interested in how your learn Ruby thing went — the social part of having a support group and did that help at all toward accomplishing a goal? Maybe a future blog post…
Yes! Having a social part was the ONLY reason I finished the challenge!
I actually did a full breakdown of how it went (and even give away the templates I used) here:
http://learn.onemonth.com/coding-challenge-three-ways-to-make-sure-you-finish-every-course-you-start
Excellent. My wife and I are both in. Turning the idiot boxes off starting tonight for an hour is a great idea. Silence is golden I’ve heard.
We will also add a Baptist brunch, a Lutheran lunch, and East Indian Sandesh for dessert.
Ok. Ok. I totally made that last part up just to sound cool.
Bahahahah……I think you forgot your Jewish Mitvah and African Kwanza!
As for silence, it doesn’t necessarily have to be silent. For example, I once used my Amish Hour to listen to a podcast (OK OK OK I know that’s like totally OPPOSITE of technology), but I set the podcast to play on my phone, and put the phone away.
I then sat there and took notes. And I got a TON of great notes from it.
However reading together in bed sounds like a great idea, and I imagine it’ll lull both of you to sleep (or something else ;) much faster.
Hope your experience is good Forest!
@neville Cool! Thanks for the link and the write-up!
Amish Hour!!!! Nice!
You changed your bulbs by your bed yet? I think they’re saying red lights by your bed for maximum melatonin or whatnot. And blue lights in your bathroom and kitchen for morning time.
Haven’t done that….but I DO only light my room at night with a single low-wattage lamp.
So it’s bright enough by my bed to read, but not super bright like the main lights in the room.
Proud Luddite.
Nice….then you have a full Amish Day!
Except ssoommeeehhoow you managed to leave a comment on the internet ;)
I’ve been doing an “Amish Day” per week – it’s changing everything the rest of the week. I’m a yoga teacher, and us weird yoga people call it a “Screen Savasana.” It’s amazing.
“Screen Savasana”…amazing name!
The sleep benefits of this alone are insane. However my favorite part is getting in a solid hour of reading per day. Since most people do NO solid book learning, I feel like I get a leg-up on everyone else :)
I’ve tried and failed at amish hour a few times myself. Dang cell phone keeps pwning me.
I actually grew up Mennonite (similar sect). There is something about the dark houses and nothing to do at night that makes you ready for bed in a hurry.
Also Flickr has been really good for the laptop. When the screen changes I find that I tend to “be done” and it is easy to step away and go do something else engaging and more productive.
BAHAHAHA!!! OMG A REAL (sorta) AMISH GUY!!!
Quinton, you should just put your phone away from your bed….upside down…on silent. It helps a lot, and it takes conscious effort to grab it.
Make sure you finish all your tasks for the day, set your alarm for the next morning, then put that phone far from you!
LOL, the “real Amish guy” is having trouble doing Amish hour… :)
I love the reading party idea! A shorter version of that might be fun for a kids play date, too. I will have to look into this… Thank you for the great info!
Yea it’s a great idea…….we’ll see how it works for kids! That could go either way :)
I didn’t even realize how much I need to do this until reading this post. I am so psyched to start… TONIGHT!
GOOD!
Damn TV and computer and phone cause so much bad sleep….yet somehow it gets overlooked.
It’s pretty much good science. Looking at screens is telling your brain that it isn’t time for bed, but time to get up. I’m glad Neville is sharing this with you in a fun way.
The hardest part of this forcing yourself to actually do it consistently. Just Google “sleep and computer screens” for yourself. Apparently, it is the blue light that keeps you awake and prevents melatonin from being released.
Hey Dwayne, you’re spot on.
I was going to go into the whole science behind why this happens, but didn’t think it was necessary. There’s like 10,000,000,000,000,000 articles people can find on that.
The sleep benefits of the Amish Hour are AMAZING.
There are many things wrong with backlit screens, not only the blue light. But yes, it’s good to use a program such as “F.lux” or “Redshift” to reduce the blue light in the evening (before Amish hour!)
A list of things that suck about backlit screens:
– too much blue light
– the cheap white LEDs used in backlights have a huge “spike” in the blue end of the spectrum
– irritating moire intereference from black gaps between pixels and the different coloured sub-pixels
– flicker: most screens flash the backlight on and off rapidly to make it look dimmer
– reflected glare from glossy screens
– people generally have their screens too bright for night time
– by default most web pages and documents have a white background, which makes it all worse. I invert by screens most of the time, to reduce the amount of light blazing into my eyes. This can be done by fiddling with the gamma ramp in nvidia settings, or using NegativeScreen.
Agreed Sam……I’m sure in the coming years this screen problem will be reduced or fixed, but right now I still notice a real difference in sleep when I Use vs. Don’t Use a screen before bed.
Love it and I’m totally committing to this!
Perfect! You’ll learn more AND sleep better!
Ima be livin in an amish paradise!
Thanks Coolio!
Love the beard Neville. Keep it.
Personally, I try to have my Amish Hour first thing in the morning. Also works.
Lol……that’s not a real beard! I just paid some guy on Fiverr to Photoshop beards on me!!!!
Nooooo, reallly?? ;-)
Neville –
I am totally down with “Amish Hour.” As someone who sleep with my phone and iPad on my pillow, this will be a well-deserved break. Hopefully, I get to experience few of the benefits you have.
Thanks,
Chereese
P.S. I think I will include my FB friend in this challenge also.
Omg……get rid of that damn thing under your pillow! What good does it do?
Nothing.
Keep it away from your bed starting an hour before bedtime and don’t use it.
Personally, I try to microwave my brain as little as possible. Sleeping with a cellphone close to your head is not a good idea. There’s this thing called the “inverse square law” which means that the closer your head is to the phone, the more microwaves are going through it… squared. It works the same as for sound waves. If you move the phone from 1m to 10cm, you are getting 100 times more radiation through you. We can’t hear microwaves, but can you imagine how loudly the phone has to scream in order to be heard at the nearest cell tower? And you’re putting that screaming phone up close to your head. Trust me, it is not a good idea to microwave your head for extended periods.
Did you think of the term “Amish hour” during your Amish hour? Clever ass kopywriting and a good idea at that.
I DID!!!
Neville,
Have you been following around my wife?!?!? She preaches this to me all the time.
I am going to implement “Amish Hour” ASAP. Time to stop my Rumspringa like an Englisher!
Yes, I have been following your wife around quite a bit. It’s almost our two year stalkerverssary!
Good you’re gonna do this, it’s like the easiest sleep hack ever. Even if you can’t read for a full hour, the reading will at least lull you to sleep!
I’ve actually been doing this for almost a year and it works great, but the huge gamechanger is Airplane Mode. By setting your phone to Airplane Mode before going to bed, you completely eliminate the temptation to deal with email and put out fires immediately after waking up.
My morning routine consists of waking up, going downstairs, and making a cup of coffee with a French press (because it takes time and concentration and the ritual relaxes my mind) before I take the phone off Airplane Mode. In other words, the outside world doesn’t get to attack me until I decide I’m ready for it.
Another useful hack is to install f.lux on your computer and Twilight on your Android phone. These eliminate blue light from your displays at sunset and help keep your circadian rhythm intact.
Ahhhh yes that’s awesome also!
I know some people freak out about airplane mode eliminating ALL contact, so on iPhone’s there’s a “Sleep Mode” where if someone calls several times in a row the call with go through. However texts will stay silent and the screen won’t light up.
I put my phone on the ground and upside down.
Thanks for the tip though Dave!
That’s really useful to know. I get nervous of turning my phone off completely as had a life-and-death emergency earlier this year and was contacted by phone in the early hours (as I’d been ignoring the banging at the front door), so now more than ever I feel I want to be contactable. Sleep mode might just be the answer!
+1 for F.lux and Twilight!
It’s not counted for “distraction free” but does ease the impact on sleep that screens have.
Now, to get this airplane mode down pat…
Good morning, Brother Nevilleton!
I agree and I do use my old school Kindle like Osayi most nights before falling asleep! But, I do say most nights… So, it will now be all nights!
I do have a stack of those Walmart compo-books, but nowhere near my bed, so today, they are being moved there with a stack of sharpened pencils!
Let’s see where this goes! Thanks for the life-hack!
Geo
Thank you Brother Georgington,
Actively taking notes I’d say is one of the huge advantages I have over others. WRITING STUFF DOWN ACTS AS A SURROGATE BRAIN!!!
Your brain only retains so much, so why not write it down? Later when you peruse the notes, your brain lights up with ideas. It’s amazing.
I once lost one of my full notebooks in an airplane seat pocket. I mourn the loss till this day.
(FYI this is also why I keep my personal blog http://nevblog.com because I forget stuff all the time, and scrolling through the archives helps me remember)!
I just finished reading the book “Succeed By Heidi Grant Halvorson” and one of the ways I started paying attention is the power of motivation that comes from being associated (or reading) other’s goals. Amish Hour is one such viral-influential-idea. I’m trying this from tonight.
P.S. Nevile, you should try Postmatic plugin for Comments Notification and reply via email. It’s Awesome.
Interesting, will check it out!
FYI did you know I’ve been posting my goals publicly for yearrrrss?
http://www.nevblog.com/category/goals/
Thanks, Rahgu. Some days I watch the server logs and can’t believe how active the conversations are on your site. Good for you. It seems like you are offering a ton of value to your readers.
Neville, I was just looking around at your site. It’s great and I think your readers would love what we are doing. Be in touch if want a tour of what we are up to. We have an importer for Subscribe to Comments being released in the next few days.
Dear Brother Nevilleton,
I concur and shall be joining thee!
Excellent, shall see you at the barn raising Sister Jacqueline!
Excellent idea!
I have my old school kindle (that’s not backlit) and I try to read that for an hour before I sleep. I must confess I still get up to use my laptop or my phone sometimes, but It’s getting rarer… it’s great for getting new ideas.
Awesome! Kindle’s are acceptable because they have limited functionality and no backlit screen.
However avoid those trips to the computer and phone…..it completely erases are the benefits of the Amish Hour!
Yay! Kindles are acceptable in the Amish Hour! I was wondering if I even have an old school book to read…
I actually used this in a past life and obviously stopped. It works, so I will start doing it again. I’m also going to start growing an amish beard.
Growing the Amish Beard is clearly an important requisite.
::strokes beard::
need to try this!! sounds cool :-) what if all the books you have are on your kindle on the phone? If you put it to airplane mode and read on your mobile, does this count, or it is cheating? :-)
NO! NO PHONE!!!
You don’t want a backlit screen staring to in the face, and you don’t want something distracting.
Pickup a kindle, that will suffice.
However best is a physical book…..or else sit down with pad & pen and write.
NO PHONE!!!!!!!
I’ll try this.
I try and do this each morning – but by that stage, I’m way too busy procrastinating
Try doing this at NIGHT.
It helps so much not to use backlit screens and wind your thoughts down with reading.
I’m telling you, it’ll work wonders!
I built a box……
It’s called my “Zen Cave”…..7′ X 7’X 7′ of heaven.
A sound proof, light proof, Faraday cage. NOTHING gets in but me.
20 mins in morning, 20 mins in evening….dead calm!
Oddly enough, the family that built the frame also builds AMAZING furniture.
I instantly recognized the hat!
Oh sweet!
Sounds like you’ve got Amish Hour down :)
I have a little “reading room” in my place of similar dimensions!
It’s not the cave in Wu Dang, China…..but it takes me back there.
GREAT Kontent as always Brother!
B
Hellz Yea Neville! Just threw my bedroom tv out of the window! Let’s get Amish in this hizzy!
I hope you threw it out the window without looking out for what’s below!
#noconsequences
I live my life 1 smashed tv at a time… #NoRagrets
Lately I’ve been working on my side hustle late at night after work basically falling asleep in front of my laptop. However, I think if I go to bed earlier and wake up at 5am, and write that might be more efficient.
#AmishHour challenge accepted.
You can STILL work on your side hustle during Amish Hour!
I often still work during this time….but with a pen and paper instead of a computer. It’s oddly a lot more creative and productive because I don’t have the distraction or resources of a computer.
With a computer: I’ll type stuff, research stuff, get distracted.
With a paper & pen: I’ll be able to make clear plans about what the business should be, content to create, products to offer.
I actually get MOST of my good ideas when unplugged like this and forced to be with my thoughts.
Always selling!
I love the idea of shutting down all technology an hour before bed. I can see in my own life how that would be beneficial. I didn’t know that the Amish were able to have computers, cell phones, TV, etc.
What about kindle? Is it accept? :-)
Super cool. Love it … I’m in.
Sweet! Put it on your to-do list.
Buddy, I don’t know you from Adam, but the name you gave this idea is GENIUS. Good work. – Rick
I must admit……I’m SUPER proud of “Amish Hour” :)
Oh, I didn’t realize it was already out there in the universe.
https://www.google.com/search?num=20&newwindow=1&site=&source=hp&q=%22amish+hour%22&oq=%22amish+hour%22&gs_l=hp.3..0i22i30l10.2065.4798.0.6886.15.15.0.0.0.0.343.1435.4j5j0j1.10.0….0…1c.1.64.hp..7.8.1078.0.dKhZV3DPkBE
Awww damn…..someone used the term before me.
I have failed at life.