Productivity Mind Map / Notes

The Ivy Lee Method: Do the most important thing first each day.

Build habits so you don’t waste time thinking

• Prepare your day the night before: 1) use Chunking or the Pomodoro technique to schedule breaks, 2) know what time you’re most productive and plan accordingly, 3) set a hard stop for work (to prevent procrastination)
• End of day productivity audit/journaling
• Sleep 8hrs
• Exercise
• Meditate

Don’t open email in morning. Productive, not reactive.

Time savers

• Use keyboard shortcuts
• Meal prep (eat healthily)
• Improve typing speed
• “Two Minute” rule: It takes less time than having to get back to it later.

Deep Work

• Don’t multitask. Focus on one thing at a time.
• Close all extra tabs/screens
• Get rid of distractions, turn off phone, notifications, etc

Go on an information diet

Keep a notebook on hand at all times

Eliminate Time Wasting Activities

• Outsource as much as you can
• Automate as much as you can
• Using the Eisenhower Box

Work environment

• Turning the temperature down or moving to a cooler place is an easy way to focus your mind and body.
• outfitting an office with aesthetically pleasing elements — like plants — can increase productivity by up to 15%.

Listen to podcasts/audiobooks on commutes/walks

For reading

• Take notes if you like it or want to remember it
• Speechify for online content
• Listen to audiobook while reading book to capture highlights but get through it faster.
• Kindle + Alexa for free audio reading
• Readwise for highlights + recall

Get a mentor/learn from others’ mistakes/lessons

Set self-imposed deadlines

Meetings

• Make it a standup or walking meeting
• Start on time, end on time
• Require/make schedule beforehand.
• Avoid as many as possible, make as small as possible if scheduling

Find Meaning in What You Do (And Love What You Do)

Sit up or stand up: Brain will get more oxygen and allow you to concentrate better.

Focus. Don’t do more and more just because you can. It turns into mediocre work. Do a few things well and then move on to the next.

Just start vs overthinking it. Objects in motion stay in motion.