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1. Don’t Trust Your Brain
- Brain’s Priority: Your brain seeks energy efficiency, not productivity.
- Example: Hannah, a medical student, struggled because she trusted her brain to follow her plans perfectly.
- Solution: Plan for errors, schedule breaks, and avoid burnout.
2. Start Small, Then Go Nuclear
- Start Small: Fix the easiest problems first to build momentum.
- Go Nuclear: If small fixes fail, take drastic measures (e.g., deleting apps to stop distractions).
3. Focus on Value (Sue’s Law)
- Sue’s Law: Focus on tasks that provide the most value.
- Example: Reducing procrastination had a bigger impact than experimenting with multiple task management apps.
4. Do More with Less
- Simplify Systems: Use fewer tools to reduce friction and errors.
- Example: Transitioned from multiple apps to just a notebook and Google Calendar.
5. Prioritize Deep Flow
- Flow State: Single-tasking leads to high-quality work.
- Triggers: Identify what helps or hinders your flow and optimize your environment.
6. Find Flow Times
- Personalized Flow Times: Identify the best times of day for deep work.
- Example: Avoid scheduling deep work immediately after meals.
7. Use a Distraction Cheat Sheet
- Track Distractions: Write down distractions to eliminate them proactively.
- Example: A student eliminated distractions by turning her desk away from a window.
8. Create Focus Zones
- Mental Headspace: A focus zone is more about intention than physical space.
- Example: Entering a café with the intention to work helps trigger flow.
9. Use Work-Rest Timers
- Pomodoro Variations: Use timers to create urgency, but adjust based on your flow state.
- Rest Time: Keep rest periods proportional to work sessions.
10. Hire the Babysitter
- Time Protection: Anticipate risks to your schedule and take steps to mitigate them.
- Example: Add a 5-minute walk before a planned meditation session to boost energy.
11. Plan for the Real, Not the Ideal
- Realistic Scheduling: Base schedules on actual capacity, not wishful thinking.
- Time Tracking: Track how long tasks take to create realistic plans.
12. Or Not, And
- Prioritization: Before taking on new tasks, decide what you’re willing to give up.
- Example: Adding a German course means sacrificing time from other activities.
13. Use the Two-Minute Rule
- Quick Tasks: Complete tasks that take 2 minutes or less immediately.
14. Book the Scan
- Unblock Future Self: Send requests or emails early to avoid delays later.
15. Batch Tasks Together
- Admin Tasks: Group low-effort tasks into a single time block.
16. Eat the Frog
- Tackle the Hardest Task First: Start with the most overwhelming task to build momentum.
17. Leave Tasks Unfinished
- Zeigarnik Effect: Starting a task makes it easier to finish later.
18. Delete Decision Fatigue
- Pre-Planned Choices: Plan your day in advance to reduce decision-making during work.
19. Stay on the Pulse
- Adapt to Changes: Adjust your schedule based on how quickly things change.
20. Time Blocking vs. Time Boxing
- Time Blocking: Flexible time blocks for tasks.
- Time Boxing: Fixed time blocks with strict end times.
21. Distinguish Urgent from Important
- Urgent vs. Important: Focus on tasks with long-term impact, not just short-term urgency.
22. Sharpen the Axe
- Invest in Systems: Improve your skills and tools to increase long-term productivity.
Conversational Insights
- “Productivity is not about being busy; it’s about doing what gets you closer to your goals.”
- “Your brain is not there to help you reach your productivity goals; it’s there to keep you alive.”
- “Start small, then go nuclear. If small fixes don’t work, throw the whole truck at the problem.”
- “Sue’s Law: Go for where the money is. Focus on the tasks that provide the most value.”
- “Do more with less. Simplify your systems to reduce friction and errors.”
- “Flow is like a drug. If you could bottle it, it would probably be illegal.”
- “A focus zone is a mental headspace, not just a physical workspace.”
- “Hire the babysitter for your time. Protect it like you would protect a baby.”
- “Plan for the real, not the ideal. Fantasy schedules lead to daily failure.”
- “Sharpen the axe. Invest time in improving your systems to get more done with less effort.”
