HOW POKEMON MADE ME PRODUCTIVE (AND CAN DO THE SAME FOR YOU)

During my final year at university, my class and I were all tasked with producing our final year dissertation. We had just under 1-year to produce a well researched dossier on a topic of our choice, but related to our degree (Management and Economics).

Whilst everyone set out to spend the next 10–11 months doing their final year dissertation on sensible economics related themes, I decided that I’d rather not ‘waste’ 11 months of my life, researching and writing my paper.

That was just not a good use of my time

I was 20, and had serious partying and holidaying and money to make. There was no way I was getting bogged down for so many months on this project.

GOAL SETTING

So I set myself a goal that I would focus on the project in the last month before the deadline. I assured myself that I would knuckle down and focus intently for that 1-month, and by hook or by crook I would produce a decent dissertation.

Furthermore I would not pick a boring ‘I’d rather rub marmite in my eyes’ type topic. I needed to find a topic that was fun and engaging. So I settled for researching and presenting my findings on a major Japanese phenomenon that was all the rage at that time………..Pokemon.

And so my research consisted of watching Pokemon cartoons, browsing the collectable cards and sticker albums, and studying the marketing and ‘pull’ factors behind it’s massive success. I witnessed the raving-fan culture and hype, and interviewed Pokemon fans (kids around my neighbourhood), and got to step into their world.

I was pleasantly surprised at the slick marketing machine behind Pokemon’s success. This was back in 2001 remember !

All in all, the research was fun and engaging. Would you rather read dull research papers or watch cartoons? Anyone?

The write-up

Next up, I had to write the monster-mutha dissertation. I had just over 1 week to get writing before the deadline, and had to figure out the whole editing, binding, cover production malarkey.

“Never mind, i’ll work it out” I said to myself in blind faith.

All-nighters

And so I spent around a week typing out my dissertation, pulling all-nighters (which thankfully I was well practiced in, having perfected the art during my partying days).

I’d load myself with turmeric milk (I’ve been raised on this golden nectar), then coffee (strictly no booze allowed, my 20 year old liver was probably thanking me for the break).

I’d get up and bust out a few dance moves to no music when the clock ticked 1am, 3am, 4am just to trick my mind that I was at a wild rave, and not working laboriously over Pokemon.

I’m not entirely sure how I functioned the days after my mammoth all-nighter sessions, and crazy dashes to the printers with my floppy disk. But the bottom line is I got my dissertation done.

Deadline

The deadline approached, and I handed my work in along with everyone else. They all looked rested, relieved and anxious as to how 11 months of their work would be scored. I looked haggard, dazed and can’t remember much more.

When the results came in, I received a 2:1- that’s like getting a silver. A tiny % achieved 1st grade, with the remaining receiving 2:1 or below. I was cool with this, although I did wonder if I could have got a 1st grade had I have worked the extra 10 months. But I had gained time and life experiences instead.

What happened

So let’s look at what had happened here. Why had I got the same or better results than others who had slaved away for 11 months, and ‘arguably’ deserved higher results?

How could 1-month’s work produce the same result as 11-months work?

2 Reasons

The answer comes in 2-parts. Firstly the principle of Parkinson’s law. Most productivity students will be familiar with the law, which states that:

Work expands to fill the time available for its completion

So essentially if we were given 11-months to complete a project, then those following the 11-month plan, would ‘expand’ their work to fill the entire 11 months.

I however gave myself a 1-month strategy to complete the same project. So I had NO CHOICE but to complete the work within 1 month.

Instead of ‘expanding’ my work, I condensed what I needed to do fit into 1 month. This strategy meant:

1. I only focused on what was necessary

2. I did away with all distractions and boyfriends

3. I said no to partying

4. I worked all hours available to me

5. Unknown to me, I bio-hacked my mind to get me into peak state whenever I was becoming a zombie (dancing, and tricking my mind that the time was actually 3 hours earlier than it was).

6. My laser focus was more targeted than the best sniper in the world

7. I had unshakeable belief that I could get the job done

Tight deadlines

So by restricting the time allowed, I got the job done in a shorter space of time compared to my compatriots. Oh and I’d also partied in Ibiza, and Dominican Republic that year, and made money working my part-time job.

The second reason I pulled this off (and the most important) is because I possessed grit. I became gritty about my goal.

Burn the boats

By removing any plan b, or alternative options (I could hardly get the time back that had already passed before the deadline), I simply HAD to do it. I had ‘burned the boats’ so to speak. I was stuck on the island, no way back.

What’s the right method?

So what’s the right way to get things done? Should one pace themselves and look after their health and get the task done without killing themselves?

OR should one go in hard, and tackle projects as a sprint, with a fierce intensity?

I don’t know the answer (sorry to disappoint). However I will say that I still enjoy the pressure of tight deadlines, and then rewarding myself with the luxury of time. That being said, I no longer pull all-nighters and respect balance a lot more.

Big Hairy Audacious Goals

Interestingly enough, right now I’m working on a massive launch for a membership site for female entrepreneurs who are also mothers. I have set myself another big, hairy, audacious goal:

To impact 1,000,000 women by 2025

Now I may not be pulling all-nighter sprints anymore, but I’m fairly sure my lessons in Parkinson’s law and grit, will drive this project and scale it globally.

And aside from that, Pikachu actually taught me a thing or two about marketing. So I’m sure this will hold me in good stead.

Written by Dee Allan-The Gritty Girl, International Speaker, Writer and Entrepreneur. Dee is launching a digital platform for mama-entrepreneurs, runs an employment agency, blogs on Medium platform, and lives in Singapore with her husband and two cheeky kids.