Photo by Danielle Cerullo on Unsplash
Time Under Tension (TUT) is a term used in weight training.
It’s also one I’ve heard from Peloton cycling instructors.
It’s shorthand for a form of training that maximises muscle growth and strength by increasing the duration a muscle is under strain during a set.
In cycling, TUT builds endurance. Rather than going all out in practice sessions, the focus is on maintaining a steady pace for set blocks of time.
You can apply the principle to your work by focusing on high-value, singular tasks for longer time periods.
Just as you book exercise time into your week, so too with focused work.
In those sessions, don’t multitask. Stick with the one thing designated for that time slot.
Time under tension builds mental resilience if you force yourself to keep your focus on that one thing.
To help you achieve that focused time, build barriers to distraction.
Lock yourself away. Hide your phone. Turn off email. Do whatever it takes to get the most from regular TUT sessions.
Focus more on what’s important, and over time, you’ll experience bigger gains in projects successfully completed.
For more on improving managerial performance, see this post.