My Productivity Hacks
A thread...
A thread...
Productivity Hack #1
Not try to remember anything
I consciously and obsessively try to NOT remember things.
So that my mind dispenses the least amount of energy in remembering tasks or even context.
Not try to remember anything
I consciously and obsessively try to NOT remember things.
So that my mind dispenses the least amount of energy in remembering tasks or even context.
Hence, I carry a notebook with me always.
I take notes like a school student
I put tasks in a calendar
I send myself emails in the future
My mind's energy should be spent in thinking.
Not remembering!
I take notes like a school student
I put tasks in a calendar
I send myself emails in the future
My mind's energy should be spent in thinking.
Not remembering!
Productivity Hack #2
Document EVERYTHING!
At any point I have 3 notebooks
1. Ideas
2. Todos lists for the day
3. Meeting notes
And I write down things.
Writing helps tell the brain that this is important.
And it helps me not "try and remember" anything.
Document EVERYTHING!
At any point I have 3 notebooks
1. Ideas
2. Todos lists for the day
3. Meeting notes
And I write down things.
Writing helps tell the brain that this is important.
And it helps me not "try and remember" anything.
Productivity Hack #3
I put everything on a calendar
My calendar is my lifeline.
Everything is on my calendar.
Bills to pay, birthdays to remember, threads to write, weekly routines.
I put everything on a calendar
My calendar is my lifeline.
Everything is on my calendar.
Bills to pay, birthdays to remember, threads to write, weekly routines.
This is my calendar screenshot for next week.
50%+ of my waking time goes towards things that are important, but not urgent! :)
50%+ of my waking time goes towards things that are important, but not urgent! :)
Productivity Hack #4
I schedule emails to myself, for the future
There are so many things that interest me, that it becomes important to prioritize.
And for me prioritization is about scheduling.
Future emails serve that purpose.
I schedule emails to myself, for the future
There are so many things that interest me, that it becomes important to prioritize.
And for me prioritization is about scheduling.
Future emails serve that purpose.
For instance, this is an email I had sent to myself last Nov. This is SO powerful.
I don't have to add this to my mental bandwidth.
I schedule it for a time when I think I will have the bandwidth.
If I don't - no sweat - I snooze it!
I don't have to add this to my mental bandwidth.
I schedule it for a time when I think I will have the bandwidth.
If I don't - no sweat - I snooze it!
Productivity Hack #5
Using technology for everything possible
There are a lot of tasks that suck your time, but do not make you move forward.
Consider using technology to solve for them.
Using technology for everything possible
There are a lot of tasks that suck your time, but do not make you move forward.
Consider using technology to solve for them.
Simple things such as template replies for your emails (see attached), managing your calendar (I use @xdot), setting recurring emails (I use @baydin), organizing my thoughts (I use @NotionHQ)
Productivity Hack #6
Sharing my calendar with my wife
I kid you not, this is a game changer.
She has 100% access, so she can add, edit and delete things from my calendar.
Sharing my calendar with my wife
I kid you not, this is a game changer.
She has 100% access, so she can add, edit and delete things from my calendar.
So I do not have to think about anything, when it comes to family events, birthdays, or even things she wants me to do.
She simply adds it to my calendar.
Productivity MAX!
She simply adds it to my calendar.
Productivity MAX!
Productivity Hack #7
The WhatsApp self group
Create a group on WhatsApp with someone else.
Once done, delete that someone else.
Now it's just you in the group.
Pin that Group to the top.
And use it for easy sharing and access.
The WhatsApp self group
Create a group on WhatsApp with someone else.
Once done, delete that someone else.
Now it's just you in the group.
Pin that Group to the top.
And use it for easy sharing and access.
I have 2 such groups
1. Docs/Images
Which is where I store my important images (PAN Card, License Copy, passport copy etc) and documents for each access (tickets etc)
2. Thoughts
Which I use to just type something on the run, or click something, or record/shoot something
1. Docs/Images
Which is where I store my important images (PAN Card, License Copy, passport copy etc) and documents for each access (tickets etc)
2. Thoughts
Which I use to just type something on the run, or click something, or record/shoot something
Productivity Hack #8
Afternoon nap
I grew up in a home where Ma insisted we sleep for an hour after lunch.
I guess that's just stayed.
Then I remember going to China and Korea and saw that in offices too, there was a culture of an afternoon nap (heads down on the table)
Afternoon nap
I grew up in a home where Ma insisted we sleep for an hour after lunch.
I guess that's just stayed.
Then I remember going to China and Korea and saw that in offices too, there was a culture of an afternoon nap (heads down on the table)
Never implemented it in nearbuy, but did implement it personally.
I used to grab 15 mins of a power nap while in office. And since stepping down from nearbuy, I have tried to get in an hour.
My daughter and I sleep together. Nothing feels better :)
I used to grab 15 mins of a power nap while in office. And since stepping down from nearbuy, I have tried to get in an hour.
My daughter and I sleep together. Nothing feels better :)
Productivity hack #9
Setting the right environment
I never work from my bed, always on a table.
I never read lying down, always on a chair.
I never eat while watching something.
I never work in a dark room. Always natural light.
Setting the right environment
I never work from my bed, always on a table.
I never read lying down, always on a chair.
I never eat while watching something.
I never work in a dark room. Always natural light.
Even something as basic as, while WFH, do change into "office attire" while working and not work in your PJs - subconsciously tricks your mind to get into the zone!
Do not underestimate your surrounding, while trying to create flow!
Do not underestimate your surrounding, while trying to create flow!
Productivity hack #10
Create sensory hooks for what is important (not what is urgent)
As a species, our senses have evolved, to work for us. What we see, smell, touch, hear and taste, drives almost all of our reactions.
I use my senses, to drive action.
Create sensory hooks for what is important (not what is urgent)
As a species, our senses have evolved, to work for us. What we see, smell, touch, hear and taste, drives almost all of our reactions.
I use my senses, to drive action.
Keep your phone in another room, while sleeping.
Place your dumb-bells right next to your bed
Keep the book where you can see it easily
Set your alarm to that song that lifts you up
Apply your favorite deo/perfume when starting the day
These things work!
Place your dumb-bells right next to your bed
Keep the book where you can see it easily
Set your alarm to that song that lifts you up
Apply your favorite deo/perfume when starting the day
These things work!
As the world progresses, it is getting easier to slump into laziness and feel lethargic
And it is getting equally easier to life yourself out of slumber and get moving.
It is frankly a matter of intent.
Not capability anymore.
Not even access.
And it is getting equally easier to life yourself out of slumber and get moving.
It is frankly a matter of intent.
Not capability anymore.
Not even access.
The human mind is conditioned to feel happy and fulfilled, while making progress.
Set your life in such a manner that you measure this progress.
Even a tiny improvement in your productivity will yield results overtime.
Set your life in such a manner that you measure this progress.
Even a tiny improvement in your productivity will yield results overtime.
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