Strict Workflow (for Chrome)
Read the job strict flow (for Chrome) Review
Time Out Free (for Mac)
Free reading time (for Mac) Review A Cave to define the session when and where you work. Caves last either one hour with one working sprint or three hours with three sprints.
Dates and times cover many time zones and are offered seven days a week. I have been in caves with people from India, UK and all time zones US schedules. In my local time zone there are caves that likencent at 2:30 a.m. and those ending at 8:00 p.m.
Once you register for a session, you receive on-screen and email confirmations with instructions to join via Zoom Meeting . You can log in a few minutes in advance. If you are more than 10 minutes late you may not be admitted to the video call.u
Each cave has a cave guide or trained host who leads the session and controls the meeting. The host presents and closes each session and times the sprints. The host mutes everyone at the entrance, and it's up to you whether you want to activate your video.
Inside the Cave
When a session begins, the Cave Guide greets everyone and suggests changing your Zoom name to display first and last name, location, and on thiswhat you work or what type of work you do. For example: Jill D. | D.C. | writing. Many people also add their favorite pronouns. Caveday has strict rules on courtesy and non-promotion of any product or service, which you agree to before joining.
The cave guide says a few words to set the tone. In my experience, hosts tend to create an extremely calm atmosphere. It is meditative energy rather than cheerleader level.
Depending on the number of people in the session, the host may
Sometimes the prompts are different, like on International Women's Day. We were asked to share a few words about the women we value in our lives.
I have never met a single person who strayed from their course during the breakout session. People follow the rules. They are succinct and respectful of everyone's time. After all, people can't wait to get to work.
The breakout sessions really inspired me. It was empowering to feel the shared desire to focus on something important, even though each of us was working on something totally different. I have met students studying for great exams, illustrators, engineers and teachers. I've heard of people using their Cave time to answer emails and others who develop radio shows. The fact that the group is not homogeneousarouses curiosity and interest, and those feelings, for me at least, have turned into energy that I then devote to my work.
There is still one more step before the official start of the session. After everyone has joined the main call, the cave guide asks you to raise your arms and push away anything you don't need. Then everyone rubs their hands and applauds the number three. After the applause of the group, the session begins. I have never been the type of person to embrace the charisma of groups, but in the Cave I really enjoyed it.
Everything I have mentioned so far takes about 8 minutes in all. The next 50 minutes - plus or minus a few minutes - everyone works in silence. Some people leave their cameras on. I turned mine off. I also left the Zoom window and didn't watch what people were doing.
What is Monotasking?
Monotasking, unlike multitasking, is the secret sauce to making the most of your time in Cave. On the website and when you sign up for a session, Caveday suggests turning off notifications and taking your phone out of range for better monotasking. The cave guide occasionally reiterates these points as well.
The team that started Caveday did their research on the ability of people to focus deeply. This is a generalization, but most people cannot concentrate well on a task for more than about 52 minutes. Yes, it depends on the task, person, environment, and other factors like skill level and previous practice, but generally speaking after focusing on one thing for 50 minutes, taking a break refreshes the ability to concentrate again.
When the first 50 minute sprint is over, the cave guide announces a joint break and encourages everyone to stop working. The host may suggest a series of stretches or movements. While testing the serve I used this time to pull the Zoom window front and center and feel like part of the group again. Each time the chat box contained a few messages from people interrupted by power outages, illnesses, caregiving responsibilities, and other issues that forced them to leave it. Some of them left with words of encouragement to encourage the rest of us.
After the short break, if you're in a cave with three sprints, you then repeat the cycle two more times, although usually without more focus groups. At the end, the guidefrom the cave can invite people to share their achievements or their victories in the chat box.
Other Caveday Services and Products
A three-sprint drop -in Cave costs $ 20, and you can pay a subion starting at $ 39.99 per month or $ 105 per quarter. Membership gives you unlimited access to as many caves as you want. Members also have access to Caveday's Self-Guided Work Sprints, but these are nothing more than videos that play silently or with a background soundtrack of your choice, and play a chime when your sprint time is up. has elapsed.
Caveday also sells gift cards, which you could definitely buy for yourself, for a one month membership ($ 39.99), five sessions ($ 85), or an annual membership. ($ 480).
There is team plans for organizations that include workshops, private caves, and more. Prices are not publicly available, so contact Caveday for an estimate.
Another option is to subscribe to a Squad ($ 65), which is a one month subion to a specific group of other Caveday users who help each other mutually accountable for their goals. Teams come with professional coaching sessions, weekly check-ins and negative consequences for missed goals. Squad membership does not include the benefits of general Caveday membership; you have to pay this extra if you still want to participate in Caves.
On the site, you can also drop a few dollars on merchandise, work planner templates that you print out at the Mayits to hats and posters.
Spending the day in a cave
What is Caveday used for? If you've ever thought about making a grand gesture, like renting a cabin in the woods or a luxury hotel room until you've completed jobs that require intense concentration, Caveday may be a better solution. Caveday is more realistic. Lock yourself in the Waldorf Astoria, and you could still be distracted or exhausted if you don't take adequate breaks or someone holds you accountable for your goals. It is also much more expensive than work from home . Enter a cave, however, and you have a 50-minute or three-minute sprint to progress. If this goes wrong, you can try again later, and you haven't dropped a ton of’Money on that hotel bill. Reset yourself for success and try it again.
The collective dynamic worked for us in testing, but if it doesn't match your personality, you can skip those parts. You choose to participate in a small group session. You decide when to turn on your video camera, if you want to clap the count of three, and if you want to share a win in the group chat. The next time you need to focus on accomplishing or making progress on something specific, give Caveday a try. Inspiration and motivation might rub off on you too.
