Is "Monk Mode" Still Relevant for Productivity?
The productivity trend known as "Monk Mode" went viral before Covid đź¦
In this article, we ask: Is it still relevant to practice zero-distraction sprints in the post-lockdown era?
If you ask the Monk Mode adherents on Social Media, the answer is a definite yes. Try typing #monkmode on Instagram or TikTok and you'll find out how popular it is. And if you’ve never heard of monk mode?
Long story short, monk mode is a life hack that involves setting strict rules to limit distractions and confront unhealthy habits that inhibit your progress toward a specific goal. While methods vary for getting into the god-like flow state of getting things done that is the point of this practice, the primary elements of monk mode always center on introspection, isolation, and self-improvement.
And yes; even after the nightmare-ish episodes of sheltering with laptops wherever WiFi could reach that marked the Covid lockdowns, there is still good reason to give monk mode a try today. Keep reading to find out why.
What is Monk Mode?
Monk mode is a life hack named for adopting elements of monk's lifestyle - self-isolation, meditation, and abstinence from sex, alcohol, and drugs - for a period of time for the purpose of achieving a specific improvement, project milestone, or goal. The turbo-charged time management strategy went viral on social media (especially on TikTok) in around 2017 when influencers swore by its life-changing effects. But before becoming a viral trend, monk mode was known exclusively among CEOs and entrepreneurs leading up to launches.
The premise of monk mode is setting strict rules for a specific period of time that enable deep focus by redirecting energy from usual distractions to mind-clearing activities. People typically set the period of monk mode to the achievement of a specific goal or project, restricting stimulation that draws attention away from the goal. This is an example of a strict plan to enter enter monk mode to create a strategic plan:
Goal: finish strategic plan for new business
No media
No sugar
No friends
No sex
No meetings
No other projects*
*Short-term and recurring tasks
3 Rules of Monk Mode
Do all of the rules sound totally unrealistic to you?
Well, that’s kind of the point! The high demands of this concentration practice enable you to achieve things you wouldn’t normally be able to do. However, there aren’t a single set of rules that work for everyone. If you’re overwhelmed with a long list of to-dos, we absolutely recommend trying the FREE 7-Day Simplish Productivity Detox to refresh your approach to getting things done before diving head first into monk mode.
The basic recipe of monk mode is simple and flexible, according to your needs: It’s all about “the three is:
#1. Introspection
Tune out to tune in, as the saying goes! Introspection is all about looking inwards to reflect upon your thoughts, emotions, and ideas. This is the first fundamental step to gaining self-awareness and setting the right goals for your period of deep focus. This is also the time to set boundaries around your attention and energy to support focus on your goal.
#2. Isolation
Once you’re clear on what you want to do, it’s time to create the space to think, dream and create freely. Don't lock yourself away completely - it’s a good idea to lean on the social accountability of friends, family and colleagues by letting them know what you’re up to while setting periods where you plan not to be disturbed.
#3. Improvement
Ready, set - go! Create a detailed action plan to get from A to B that includes taking regular breaks. With a clear goal and consistent effort, focus on the success of incremental steps. Your skills will improve with time and patience.
Techy Life Hack or Toxic Productivity Trend?
Monk mode may sound like innocent internet fun and games - but is it really?
As of 2023, the top YouTube result when you Google monk mode is apparently about crushing it with expensive caffeine, heavier-than-yours-dumbbells and laptop power-sessions:
Here’s what you need to know about this wellness trend (and what’s just clickbait).
Focus, Discipline, and Wellbeing
This method is powerful because it encourages you to tap directly into your inner strength and self-discipline. Monk mode is, to some extent, similar to other self-discipline practices like digital detoxing, in that it encourages disconnection from certain stimuli to pursue deeper focus, relying fully on your personal willpower to change behavior. Monk mode can involve mindful tech use or complete abstinence from screens depending on your aims, but the point of screen time interactions in monk mode isn’t a full-on digital detox. When you “go monk,” the idea is to disconnect from devices in order to focus deeply on a skill, goal, or project.
We love that monk mode orients you toward a positive outcome without simply asking you to quit undesirable behaviors cold turkey without replacement behavior. It may sound obvious, but the beauty behind setting a goal for your period of monk mode is that you’ll be more aware of what's distracting you from achieving it.
For those with self-discipline and strong motivation, scheduling time for monk mode can come with a range of mental, physical and emotional benefits. The deep focus that is the goal of monk mode will help you:
Get things done that you’ve put off for a long time!
Understand yourself and your obstacles
Confront bad habits
Boost self-satisfaction
Monk Mode: A Toxic Productivity Trend?
Although the benefits of monk mode are obvious, the idea of applying a religious code of conduct to productivity is more murky. Passionate advocates of monk mode promote intense periods of focus as the answer to achieving material success in life, following a plan that goes something like this:
monk mode → deliver project → earn more money → buy more things
Not only does this sound suspiciously like the recipe for toxic productivity, but it suggests that people who self-isolate in order to buy a nicer house have somehow earned the honored equivalent to spiritual seekers.
…and that’s pretty messed up.
The term monk mode appeals to our desire to achieve moral perfection, equating focused productivity to godliness. But the goal of accumulating material wealth is in complete contrast to the purpose of actual monks. While traditions of nuns and monks vary around the globe, the purpose behind taking vows of abstinence and observance common to these religious observers is renunciation: Abandoning earthly pleasures in order to serve the divine.
In a nutshell, here are a few golden rules for going full monk mode mindfully:
Don't do it for a raise, for success, or for power
Don't do it to compete with high-performing peers
Do it for something bigger than you
Nun Mode vs Monk Mode
If you’re turned off by the agro-productivity culture around monk mode, nun mode might be the thing for you instead. The shade of deep work involves the same stringent discipline as practiced in monk mode, with a greater emphasis on self-development, spiritual growth, and creativity. The purpose is ultimately creative, rather than material.
The term “nun mode” was originally popularized by the artist St. Vincent in a 2017 Guardian interview when sharing the creative process behind her album MASSEDUCTION.
She described going into “deep nun mode” when writing the acclaimed album, experiencing the focus as essential to her artistic and individual growth.
Nun mode challenges the misconception of creativity as a purely spontaneous process and offers a structure to channel energy toward a higher creative purpose.
Curious to give it a go? Ask yourself this fundamental question to get started:
Has my effort and discipline positively impacted my creativity today?