Super Human Productivity:
Getting More Done in Less Time
Source: https://medschoolinsiders.com/pre-med/super-human-productivity-efficiency/
YT: How to Achieve Super Human Productivity
TLDR1. Treat Time as Money |
– fascinated by
> the constraints of time
> how to maximize efficiency
– the secrets I’ve learned over the years
– had to meticulously manage time for years
– how to get a lot done in a short period of time
Does Optimizing Productivity Drain the Fun Out of Life?
– time management strategies
– becoming so efficient and productive may drain the fun out of life?
– that could not be further from the truth
> open up free time that you never knew existed
> can use that time for fun, leisure, socializing, and side projects
> balance between work and play
> by being efficient, you are actually able to decide how you spend your time
> if don’t maximize their efficiency
— are a slave to time
– becoming efficient will free you
> you can decide if you want to..
— spend more time in the gym
— spend time with your family, or
— pick up a second or third side business
Philosophy:
– since time is limited, maximize it
– either fully enjoy yourself or
> be fully productive and present in the moment
– avoid:
> aren’t getting much done
> but feel like you’re working
> or trying to relax and get work done at the same time
1 | Treat Time as Money
– Begin by acknowledging the importance of time and treating it as such
– common mistake: trying to save a few dollars
> spend the $3 for delivery in order to save 30 minutes of your precious time
> signing up for a grocery delivery service like Instacart or a local farm delivery
— saves you a few hours every week
– will depend on where you are in your life
– will depend on how much an hour of your time is worth to you
– if no longer a student
– have a steady income
– then higher price on my time
– determining how much your time is worth
> a very personal decision
– for a person: maybe a complete waste of time
– for other: may enjoy the experience and see value in doing so
– nothing wrong with that
– it’s your call to make
– be deliberate about how you spend your time
– know that time holds value
– put a price tag on your own time
> better understand the cost of each decision you make
2 | Understand Parkinson’s Law
– Parkinson’s Law:
> work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion
– tricky technique
> not give too much time for any one task
> the downside
— can generate unhealthy amounts of stress
–> if you don’t have good coping mechanisms
–> if you are too aggressive with your deadlines
– takes experimentation to get just right
– can use this regularly to keep efficient
– experiment a little:
> cut down time a little
> see if you are able to accomplish similar results
– avoid open-ended schedules
> give you the whole day to finish one or a number of tasks
3 | Identify Tasks You Can Perform Anywhere
– start paying attention to how much time is wasted
> waiting in lines,
> standing around, and
> not doing anything fun or productive each and every day
(brief moment of downtime)
– the best way to navigate this problem
> to have tasks you can perform anywhere
> e.g.
–> Anki flashcards
–> audiobooks or podcast (valuable information)
—– when driving, riding public transit, showering, or cleaning.
–> on the plane: sleep, read Kindle, or work
– being productive
> satisfied
> fulfilled
– like to spent time the best way possible
– so that have more time to do the things that are important to me
– work done
> can truly enjoy vacation
> can be present in the moment
– NOT stressful
– efficient and optimized way to manage your time
– have more flexibility to do the things you love
– squeeze in an hour of work every day during brief moments of downtime,
> means you’ll have 1 more hour free later in the day to do the things you love
4 | Optimize Your Breaks and Switch Tasks to Maintain Momentum
– our brains cannot run at 100% intensity at all times
– Pomodoro technique:
> effective method
> to maintain focus
> to avoid burning out
– More than Pomodor, other tricks to utilize
> optimizing breaks
— doing the things you have to do every day as a break from work
— do tasks that you need to complete anyway while allowing yourself to take a mental break
— shower
— do the dishes
— do laundry
— checking the mail,
— walking your dog,
— preparing a meal
> switching tasks
— if getting bored with a task
— if my focus is slipping,
— if rate of progress is sharply declining
–> take a break
–> switch to something else
— keeps things interesting
— less likely to get bored and slow down
5 | Delegate Appropriately
– learn the importance of delegating tasks
– expand to a team of trusted experts
> animation
> script research
> article writing
– less critical tasks
> perform chart review
– so I can focus on data analysis and writing the manuscript
other possibilities:
– taking turns getting groceries
– dividing up chapters in your study group
– taking turns teaching each other the important concepts
– being strategic
> delegate some of the tasks that don’t need you to run the show
– take into account
> the weight of the task
> how much you either enjoy or dread doing it
— hire a service to do cleaning if keep putting off
–> added cost
–> but need to consider what you will gain
> how much of your time does it take to clean the house
> how much stress and anxiety does it cause you?
> is that time worth to you
Conclusion
– to make smart, intentional choices about how you spend your time
– when you let time control you
> you lose so much of it
> lower productivity
> less time for activities you actually enjoy
– efficiency and productivity tricks
– if you had two or three hours of extra free time every day, what would you do?