027: The King Haakon VII Method

Do you ever find yourself caught up in the trap of busy work?

You spend hours on low-priority tasks, leaving little time for the important work that moves your startup forward. It's a common problem for many founders, but there's a solution: the power of focused work.

Let me tell you a story about King Haakon VII of Norway.

In the early days of World War II, Norway was invaded by the Nazis. King Haakon VII, the Norwegian monarch, was forced to flee the country along with his government. But despite the overwhelming odds against him, Haakon refused to give up. He began organizing a resistance movement from abroad, determined to fight back against the Nazi occupation.

Haakon knew that his people were counting on him to lead them, and he refused to let them down. He devoted himself entirely to the cause of liberating Norway, even as he faced the constant threat of assassination and the risk of being captured by the enemy. Haakon's unwavering determination and selflessness inspired his followers to persevere, even in the darkest of times.

One of the most remarkable stories of Haakon's leadership occurred in the winter of 1942 when he received a message from a group of Norwegian saboteurs who were hiding in the mountains. The saboteurs had been cut off from their supply lines for months and were on the brink of starvation. They desperately needed food and supplies to survive, but there was no way for them to get these essentials without risking their lives.

Haakon understood the gravity of the situation and knew that he had to act quickly. He immediately ordered a daring airdrop operation to resupply the saboteurs. The plan was risky, as the planes would have to fly dangerously close to the mountains in order to drop the supplies. But Haakon was undeterred. He personally oversaw the operation and insisted on flying in one of the planes himself.

The mission was a success.

The planes dropped the supplies without incident, and the saboteurs were able to survive the winter. Haakon's bravery and leadership at this moment solidified his reputation as a hero and a symbol of hope for the Norwegian people.

Haakon continued to lead the resistance movement from abroad for the remainder of the war. In 1945, he returned to Norway to a hero's welcome. His unwavering determination and selflessness inspired his followers to persevere, even in the darkest of times.

The story of King Haakon VII serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, determination, and selflessness in the face of adversity.

Haakon's leadership during the Nazi occupation of Norway was a testament to his character and his unwavering commitment to his people. His example can inspire us all to be better leaders and to never give up in the face of overwhelming odds.

Haakon's approach is a testament to the power of focused work. By cutting out distractions and honing in on the most important tasks, he was able to accomplish far more than if he had let himself get caught up in busy work.

Disconnect from email and social media for set periods during the day. Allow yourself time to focus solely on the task at hand. Turn off notifications on your phone and computer, and focus on your work. You'll be amazed at how much more productive you become when you're not constantly distracted by the digital world.

Remember, the power of focused work is not just about getting more done, it's about accomplishing what truly matters. By following Haakon's lead, we can cut through the noise and distractions to achieve our most important goals.

One unique and lesser-known habit that can help you eliminate busywork is the "10/90 rule," also known as the Pareto principle.

To apply this rule, remote founders can prioritize the top 10% of their most important tasks and focus on them first, rather than getting bogged down by the 90% of tasks that only contribute minimally to their overall goals. This habit can help them become more efficient with their time and eliminate busy work that doesn't contribute to their success.

For example, instead of spending hours responding to every email and message that comes in, remote founders can prioritize the most important messages and delegate or automate the rest. This frees up their time to focus on more impactful tasks, such as growing their business, networking, or innovating new products or services.

Closing Thoughts

By eliminating busy work and focusing on deep, meaningful work, we can achieve great things, just like King Haakon VII. It takes discipline and intention to rise above the noise of daily distractions and hone in on what truly matters.

As remote startup founders, we must remember that we are in control of our work habits and can choose to prioritize the tasks that will drive us towards success.

Let us take inspiration from the king's story and use it as a reminder that our time and energy are valuable resources that must be used wisely.”

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