Work like a machine to optimise your output and achieve your goals faster.
Machine Mode is a set period of time in which you work like a machine to have the most optimal output. This is inspired by Illimitable Man's Monk Mode, which is a period in which one focuses on self-improvement in isolation. Where Monk Mode is focused on optimising your inputs, Machine Mode is mainly about the output. Its focus isn't on improving yourself, but on reaching your goals in a shorter time frame through efficient and effective work. But there is some overlap in the habits you might adopt to do either.
Something similar to Machine Mode can be found in MMA or other martial arts competitions, when fighters will go through a fight camp to prepare for a fight. They'll often go to a different location than where they live, and for a couple of weeks all they'll do is eat, sleep and train. But in the end it's all about the training - the output in the gym. The purpose of everything else is to support the output. This same concept can be applied to other fields like business and creative work.
Machine Mode is about building a routine that allows you to prioritise output. Output in this context means building things in the most general sense. This could be a product, your physique or creating content. Some examples are:
writing a book,
creating artwork,
programming an app,
training for a competition, or
working out to achieve a physical goal.
Determine for yourself what you want to be doing in this time frame, so you can build the optimal routine around it. First look at the goal you want to achieve, and ideally this will be only one goal. That goal should be as specific as possible. How long Machine Mode will last depends entirely on your goal. Your routine will then get you closer to your goal. Create a routine that allows you to focus on your work uninterruptedly for multiple hours. All minor tasks you need to take care of should be batched and handled in a designated time period.
One way to think about goal setting is that you have a long-term goal, which is divided into milestones, or short-term goals, which are divided into daily tasks, which are enforced through a routine.
One routine that has worked for me personally is TRAIN - BUILD - LEARN (or TBL for short). Every day, you'll have these three blocks in either the T-B-L order, or another order if that works better for you. You'll designate a specific time for each block, and specific tasks to do within those blocks. And then you repeat that every day. So in the TRAIN block you might go to the gym or go for a run. In the BUILD block you could work on content or on products. In the LEARN block you'll dedicate time to learn or improve a skill. You create a routine out of the highest ROI tasks and quantify them so that every day you'll know exactly what to do and how much of it to do. The tasks you choose to do repeatedly are in line with your goals.
If for example you're writing a book, a quantifiable goal could be: to write x amount of words every day, and read x amount of pages every day. Setting time-based goals doesn't work for all tasks. If your goal is to write for one hour a day, you might be getting distracted throughout that hour and it still would count. But if the goal is to write a specific amount of words that day, it's much harder to cheat. So set daily goals for your routine that will make sure you'll get results. And you want to set these goals beforehand. Each morning, have a clear standard for what would make the day a successful one. The easiest way is to do the same amount every day. That way you can choose what's optimal, and not think about it anymore. It's about consistency after all.
If you have multiple roles, and want to dedicate an entire day to the role you're in at the time, you could consider Paul Graham's Maker/Manager schedule. You could also create variations of this like a Student/Entrepreneur schedule, or a Programmer/Marketer schedule et cetera.
In the end it's all about creating a good routine that works for your circumstances and preferences. You don't have to use someone else's routine just because it works for them. Experiment and find what works for you. And it doesn't have to be perfect. Try what makes sense to you, get feedback from reality, and keep improving it.
The reason why Machine Mode is temporary, is because you're pushing yourself in a way that isn't sustainable for a long time. With every day you push yourself, you might be one step closer to the edge, and you might be about to break. But if you don't push yourself, you might fail at achieving your goals and be devastated anyway. So in the end, it doesn't even matter.
Because the main part of your day is the time when you're working, all your other habits should be built around this time. However, this doesn't mean that you should neglect habits like training just so you can work all day. Training isn't spending energy; it's investing energy. The same goes for other good habits like optimising your nutrition and meditating. These habits are crucial in order for you to perform optimally. So also think about your inputs systematically and optimise all of your supporting habits so that you don't run out of energy.
Prioritising output doesn't mean that you shouldn't continue learning. However, when you're in Machine Mode you want to also optimise your learning so that it supports your work. So all learning is basically a form of research to add fuel to your fire. If you're writing a book, read books about the topic or books and articles that teach you to write better. If you're trying to gain muscle, learn about nutrition, biology and training techniques. If you're building an app, improve your coding skills and listen to other programmers talk about their process. If you're creating artwork, research other artists and their works, or get inspired by nature. These are just some simplified examples, but you get the idea.
Working like a machine requires you to be completely focused on the task at hand. Machines don't have emotions, so once you enter Machine Mode you don't have room for fear, uncertainty or doubt. Schedule every single minute of your day and have a daily routine which pushes you to be at your best every day. Set a goal that's realistic enough to be attainable, but challenging enough to push you towards optimal performance.
The duration of Machine Mode depends on your goal. But it might require some experimentation to find where your physical and mental limitations are. You could, for example, start with one or two weeks as an experiment to figure out the right routine. If that goes well you could increase the next period to one month.
When you've found the right routine, and it's pushing you to perform at your best, you'll have no other choice but to ignore all distractions. The main reason to plan everything up front is that it allows you to be the machine you need to be without needing to constantly reflect on your day. This is why it's also crucial to think about your schedule in great detail before you enter Machine Mode. Make sure you have a solid plan, and that your routine is gradually getting you closer to your goals. When you get out of Machine Mode, and you've executed it successfully, you might realise that all this potential energy and focus has already been inside you all along, and that you can tap into it whenever you need it to make giant leaps.
"Is this the same thing as Cal Newport's Deep Work?"
Answer: No, Deep Work is about optimising your focus in your working time. Machine Mode is the entire period (of days or weeks) in which you work towards your goals and the mindset that comes with it. But you should definitely apply Deep Work when you're working.
"Is this the same thing as being in Flow State?"
Answer: No, but like Deep Work you should definitely apply it when you're working.
"When should I get into Machine Mode?"
Answer: This depends on your goals and how you're progressing towards them. If you naturally have no problem working consistently and you're making steady progress towards your goals, you might not need it. But if you find yourself struggling to stay focused on your goals and you get distracted a lot, Machine Mode might help optimise your routine. However, if you're focusing on the wrong goals, it doesn't matter anyway. One good reason to get into Machine Mode is if you've been slacking and you need to make a strong comeback.
"For how long should I be in Machine Mode?"
Answer: for as long as it takes to achieve the goal you've set for yourself. But make sure this is a relatively short-term goal, so that you don't get rekt in the process. So maybe one month, when at the first of the month you go into Machine Mode and try to achieve your goal by the end of the month. It might be wise to start with a shorter session to learn from first.
"What if I fail to do my tasks?"
Answer: It's quite normal to run into some problems. Maybe you'll be really motivated the first couple of days, but after that you get bored and want to go back to your bad habits. You need to analyse your habits and recognise what went wrong. It's difficult to break a pattern in your behaviour, especially if you've been living unproductively for a long time. Look at how excited you really are about your goals. If you're not that excited, think about if it's really worth it. If it's really important to you, reframe it to yourself as beneficial by looking at all the intrinsic reasons to succeed. Also think about what your life would look like if you failed. If this image scares you enough, that might be another big motivator. And additionally, learn about habits and dopamine, so you'll be able to look at it from a more scientific point of view.
"What about family and friends?"
**Answer: **your social life might suffer from this, but that's just a necessary side-effect of being ambitious. Listen to some speeches by Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan and you'll understand. Later, when you are where you need to be, you'll have more freedom of time and resources to help your family and friends, and that might be worth some sacrifice.