When I think back to 2022, I think of the 3 months I made the most progress in my business.

More progress than I’d ever made in 2020 and 2021 combined.

3 months compared to 2 years!

I’ve replicated this process ever since and things have only gotten better.

Maybe I vividly remember these 3 months in 2022 because it was the first time.

Or because I knew that I was capable of more than I could have ever imagined and that I could keep stretching my potential.

And what makes this so amazing is that you can do the same.

What I did in those 3 months is what most call, including myself, Monk Mode.

What Is Monk Mode?

Over the years, monk mode has become a topic of discussion and trend amongst self-improvement and productivity experts and YouTubers.

Monk Mode is a protocol of intense focus and immersion.

You focus on one goal or project and you are fully committed and focused on that goal for 3 - 6 months.

It can be shorter like 30 days, but most follow a 3 - 6 month period.

The first Monk Mode protocol I learned was from my mentor, entrepreneur and Youtuber, Iman Gadzhi.

Why Monk Mode?

Monk mode is a tool to guarantee success.

You are optimising and maximising your focus to the highest level possible.

Because with that intense focus, you increase the likelihood of your success.

And to achieve such a level of focus, you are starving all distractions.

Less is more.

Monk Mode is meant to be intense.

During this time, you block out distractions, limit obligations, and put yourself in peak performance mode, so you can make leaps of progress on a goal or project.

Again, I want to highlight that it is intense.

It requires commitment, planning and making sacrifices.

So it’s not for everyone.

Most don’t want to make the sacrifices, be so strict and disciplined or so intense.

They want balance.

And there’s nothing wrong with wanting balance or comfort.

However, if you want to achieve something extraordinary.

Something you haven’t done yet or to see what you are capable of, you need intensity and immersion.

Monk mode is a great tool and protocol for achieving extraordinary progress in a relatively short amount of time.

It’s 3 - 6 months of intensity and commitment that could completely change your life for the better.

How Does It Work?

There are many different monk mode protocols out there — each with different rules and practices — but here’s how I approach my monk modes:

#1: Picking the goal.

Monk Mode is designed for full focus and immersion to achieve a big goal, so it makes sense that we first choose a goal.

This goal can be anything:

• Writing a book

• Improving your health

• Learning a new high-income skill

• Starting (or growing ) your business

• Personal transformation or self-improvement

#2: The 3 Most Important Actions

Once, you’ve picked the goal, you want to identify 3 actions that move the needle the most for achieving the goal.

You essentially want to apply Pareto’s principle (the 80/20 rule) to the actions and activities of your goal.

There are several actions you can take but you want to focus and prioritise the highest-leverage actions.

#3: Choose An Additional 1 - 2 Actions

Once you’ve selected your 3 actions, you want to pick 1 - 2 additional actions that support you and your life during Monk Mode.

If you’re going to tap into peak performance, you need to be at your best.

These actions can include:

• Meditation

• Journalling

• Sticking to a diet

• Exercise

• 7 - 9 hours sleep

• Prayer

• Reading

• Limit or delete social media

• No alcohol or drugs

• No caffeine

• Limit social events

• No TV/ Netflix

• No videogames

There are more you can include, these are just what I could think of right now.

#4: Choose Your Time of Immersion

The next important step is to pick the duration of your Monk Mode and when it will be.

If you’re just starting, you can start with 30 days.

In my experience, a 3 - 6 month duration works a lot better because you build momentum, consistency and progress.

It also makes the immersion less intense because the longer you do it, the more natural it will feel.

You might or might not see progress in 30 days, but it’s guaranteed that you’ll see progress in 3 - 6 months.

Experiment and see what works for you.

Then in your calendar, you want to select when you’ll be in Monk Mode.

Which months, which days, etc.

You want to schedule this into your calendar and make it a serious event because it is.

Your life could change completely as a result of Monk Mode.

To make the event more serious, you can tell your friends and family about it.

This also helps in explaining why you might not be out as much without having to explain yourself numerous times.

You’re doing Monk Mode.

#5: Create The Routine and Environment

And bringing all of this together, you want to create a routine that supports you in getting your daily actions done.

Maybe it will mean having to wake up earlier and go to bed earlier.

Maybe it will mean having to give up your usual evening activities. (Remember sacrifices will be made in this process).

Give yourself the first few weeks to go about the new routine without judgment.

You’re making a change, so it will be uncomfortable for a bit. After 2 - 3 weeks, make any necessary adjustments.

With the routine, you will also need an optimal environment.

This could look like setting up your desk in a particular way.

Buying headphones for noise cancellation.

Cleaning up your desktop and making use of social media website blockers for focus.

Your environment has a huge influence on your ability to focus and stay focused.

You want to starve the distractions and feed the focus as much as you can.

Try It Yourself and Make Leaps in Progress

Reading about Monk Mode isn’t going to get you the results you want.

That comes from doing, from trying Monk Mode yourself.

Feel free to try out my approach, or another creator’s approach or create your own.

If you do create your own, keep it as simple as possible.

Less is more.

Step 1: Pick 1 goal for your Monk Mode

Step 2: Identify the 3 most important actions

Step 3: Choose an additional 1 - 2 actions (for a total of 5 daily actions)

Step 4: Choose Your Time of Immersion

Step 5: Create The Routine and Environment

Remember to go all in, Monk Mode is an intense but incredible method for making insane progress in a short amount of time.

You could achieve what would take you 1 - 3 years in just 3 - 6 months.

If you’re up for the challenge (and growth), I highly recommend giving it a shot.

— Shana

P.S.

If you’re looking to build your dream life and business without using more tools, strategies or tactics as well as without sacrificing your well-being,

book a free consultation with me and let’s chat:  https://calendly.com/shanamdluli/claritycall