Inspired by On Purpose, the Jay Shetty podcast
To the surprise of no on how we spend our time directly impacts our value in life. Here are 7 time productivity habits, summarized from On Purpose by Jay Shetty.
Note:
I have specified which of these tips are beginner, intermediate, or advanced- because if working on your productivity is new to you, I wouldn't want to scare you away with something that feels entirely out of reach.
1. Multi tasking vs Single tasking
Beginner
Did you know: only 2% of world can multitask!
(As I type this while I listen- LOL!)
Switch to single tasking- be present. You give the best of yourself when you’re monotasking. Think of it like this: the quality of our output decreases as we multitask., while our efficiency increases as we single tasking.
You don’t slow down by only doing one thing at a time. Instead, you’ll achieve more quality, depth, and connection.
The truth is, we try to do so many tasks at once- that we end up doing none. The only way to solve this is by single tasking. Put away all your distractions by the time that activity begins. It will be uncomfortable but that’s how you develop that muscle.
2. Time block logical and creative work.
Advanced
You can’t do logical and creative work at the same time- or at least, shouldn't be, because you’re asking your brain to completely catapult to another side of use.
We go from finance meeting to brainstorm meetings; looking at algorithms to creating content; scheduling our kids to menu planning. That pendulum swing is huge from either parts of our brain. By blocking those parts separately, you are actually allowing yourself to go deep and create in each of those fields.
Implementation Method:
Write out your to do list for the week.
Create a table and divide the tasks into logical/methodical/structured and creative/innovative/brainstorm kind of items.
Figure how long each item will take, then divide them into your blocks. Goal is to be as immersive as possible.
3. Everything has to go in your schedule
Intermediate
Include everything you possibly can, from scrolling, to eating. That means you know exactly what to do; you’re free from any pressure. Let’s say you work through lunch.. The result? You’re hungry. Low energy. You eat something that will give you quick burst of energy but then you crash. If it’s not on schedule, it gets forgotten. It ends up wasting time.
4. Ask yourself this every day: what’s the one thing I need to do today to make myself feel like today is a successful, GOOD day?
Beginner
There are days where we’re checking everything off our to do list but still feel unfulfilled.
Before your day, ask yourself what that thing can be. Set a time every day that you ask yourself that, can be morning, midday, or night.
5. Create goals and plans
Intermediate-Advanced
Break this down even more to the 1:4:1 Method:
Set 1 big goal.
Break it down into 4 weekly targets.
Then portion out 1 task per day for that goal.
For example: You want to run a 10k (one big goal). Every week, consider following a running plan that builds up to that distance. Then, divide your movement per day accordingly (run, stretch, strength, sprint...)
For example: You want to avoid gossiping (one big goal). Every week, consider learning about the harmful effects of gossip. Each day, devote 30 minutes to a special focus on not speaking ill of others or gossiping.
We create a goal without an action plan, so we judge ourselves every day, and that wastes times and energy. We then realize we are behind from the initial goal.
If you follow through on the 1:4:1 method, you’ll be creating a plan that simplifies and gets you to those goals more easily thank ever before. It takes the overwhelm away, where now, you're looking at the first step, instead of the whole journey.
6. Habit Stacking
Habit stacking is not multitasking, because it works when you do something that’s natural, second nature, and already in your routine with ease.
Let's go with this example: You always wake up and brush your teeth, right? Now you stack another habit onto that.
This allows you to do two things at once, but only with habits you do unconsciously. For example, I stack: hydrate and journal as one long habit. I wake up and immediately wash my face, then drink water and coffee as I journal.
Ideally, this applies to habits you do with your eyes closed, but you’re adding another layer so you’re doing them more effectively.
What are the habits in your day that you can add a habit to that doesn’t take away from your base habit?
7. Good Sleep
Beginner
Ironically, when you exercise/sleep/meditate, you get more out of your time. You would think they take time, but they make time.
How? When you sleep more, you’re more alert; when you exercise- you more energy; when you meditate, you have more focus.
We get lost in thinking we don’t have time to sleep/exercise/meditate, but what if we can do same amount of work in less time because we're so focused?
Work faster and smarter. If you have too much to do so you don’t sleep properly, you’re drained today and tomorrow, and you haven’t succeeded. Sleep, exercise, and meditation help you be more productive, effective, and make most of your time.
What kind of tips do you guys employ to make the most out of your days? I'd love to hear! Email info@rivkirabinowitz.com for feedback and queries.