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.