Productivity, page 2
Focus, time, systems, planning, getting work done. 141 links, newest first. Page 2 of 3.
Links 51 to 100
How to join the 5 AM club
Short · instagram.com · Issue #172
A short Instagram post on how to join the 5 AM club.
Summary
A short Instagram post on how to join the 5 AM club.
How I Automate My Finances
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #171
Thomas Frank explains how and why he automates his finances, including bill payments and investments.
Summary
Thomas Frank explains how and why he automates his finances, including bill payments and investments. The description links a written version of the video, a free financial planning spreadsheet and free Notion templates. It also lists paid courses and the book Your Money: The Missing Manual.
Life Is a Video Game, Here Are the Cheat Codes
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #169
Mark Manson presents life as a video game in this 12-minute video from August 2024, promising cheat codes for leveling up faster.
Summary
Mark Manson presents life as a video game in this 12-minute video from August 2024, promising cheat codes for leveling up faster. The video covers character progression and choosing allies. Manson wrote, directed and produced it with Will Weir. BetterHelp sponsors it. Manson's free weekly newsletter offers practical advice, and a paid membership adds courses and exclusive writing.
Instant feedback helps ADHD focus on tasks
Short · youtu.be · Issue #169
Homework with 24 hours and no feedback is avoided, while instant-result quizzes get done
Summary
Gamify tasks with instant feedback, since people with ADHD finish work faster when results come right away.
The speaker suggests gamifying tasks by giving immediate feedback. Homework that returns a result after each answer is more likely to get done, especially for people with ADHD. For everyday work, write a list, make the first item "finish writing the list," and mark it done right away, which creates a small win that keeps you moving.
Key points- Homework with 24 hours and no feedback is avoided, while instant-result quizzes get done
- Write a list of five tasks, then mark the first done as soon as the list is written
- Tiny early wins create momentum, the speaker says, and keep you moving
Early morning is quiet, with just enough light
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #168
The speaker says they are not commuters, marathon runners or insomniacs, yet the hour suits them
Summary
5:00am is the best hour for the speaker, because the world goes quiet and gives just enough light to find things.
The speaker says 5 a.m. is an unforgiving hour for people with hard circumstances, such as commuters, marathon runners, and parents of newborns. The speaker does not see themselves in those groups, since their deadlines are self-imposed. They prefer the hour because the world falls quiet and there is just enough light to find what you're looking for.
Key points- The speaker says they are not commuters, marathon runners or insomniacs, yet the hour suits them
- Their deadlines are self-imposed, and they are not into life optimization
- Other hours have their own light, sound and scent, but this one is quieter
A 24-hour rule closes the thinking-doing gap
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #167
Bill Perkins says he succeeds because he is faster, making mistakes before others start
Summary
Speed wins: cutting the gap between thinking and doing, through a 24-hour rule, is how the speaker's companies act.
The speaker describes mentor Bill Perkins, who attributes his success to moving faster than others and correcting mistakes sooner. The speaker says the 24-hour rule their companies adopted comes from this approach: a bias toward action that shrinks the time between thinking about something and doing it. They dislike replies such as "I'll get back to you next week."
Key points- Bill Perkins says he succeeds because he is faster, making mistakes before others start
- The company's 24-hour rule pushes for a bias toward action, the speaker says
- He dislikes the reply 'I'll get back to you on that next week'
The ONE Thing Purpose Workbook
Tool · the1thing.com · Issue #167
A workbook based on Gary Keller and Jay Papasan's book The ONE Thing, with a three-step process for finding your purpose, setting a priority and building daily habits.
Summary
A workbook based on Gary Keller and Jay Papasan's book The ONE Thing, with a three-step process for finding your purpose, setting a priority and building daily habits. Readers write a purpose statement, set a Big Someday Goal and work backward through shorter goals, and time block their ONE Thing for at least four hours early in the day. It suggests holding each life-area habit for 66 days.
Focumon: Gamified Focus App
Tool · focumon.com · Issue #166
Focumon is a browser-based focus app that turns work and study sessions into a game.
Summary
Focumon is a browser-based focus app that turns work and study sessions into a game. You level up creatures by completing tasks, and a new one can be discovered each day. It includes a focus timer, to-dos, time blocks and habits, and online group focus sessions for up to six players. The site says it stays free with no ads or microtransactions, and an optional Pro Pass unlocks extra features.
HabitNow: Habit Tracker and Routine Planner
Tool · play.google.com · Issue #165
HabitNow is a daily planner app that combines a to-do list, habit tracker, routine planner and reminders.
Summary
HabitNow is a daily planner app that combines a to-do list, habit tracker, routine planner and reminders. It supports daily, weekly and monthly habit goals, good and bad habits with streak tracking, and stopwatch, countdown and interval timers. Charts, home-screen widgets and backups are included. The app is free to install, with in-app purchases, and has a 4.8 star rating from about 92,000 reviews.
Streaks: Habit Tracker and To-Do App
Tool · streaksapp.com · Issue #165
Streaks is a habit tracker and to-do list where you pick up to 24 daily tasks, and a streak grows for each day you finish them.
Summary
Streaks is a habit tracker and to-do list where you pick up to 24 daily tasks, and a streak grows for each day you finish them. Tasks can be set to specific days so rest days do not break a streak. It can complete tasks from Apple Health data and syncs through iCloud across Apple devices. It is a paid app with a one-time purchase.
How to Get Important Work Done
Read · joshspector.com · 6 min · Issue #162
Josh Spector argues that a productive day depends on finishing the most important work.
Summary
Josh Spector argues that a productive day depends on finishing the most important work. He suggests picking one priority and doing it first, blocking out time for it each morning, and cutting about half of the to-do list each day. He also recommends a harsh self-critical reminder, such as one to write 1,000 words a day, and using lunch as a reset when the morning goes badly.
Digital Minimalism as a Cure for Overstimulation
Read · dansilvestre.com · 17 min · Issue #159
Dan Silvestre presents digital minimalism as using technology intentionally, keeping the tools that add value and removing the rest.
Summary
Dan Silvestre presents digital minimalism as using technology intentionally, keeping the tools that add value and removing the rest. He gives concrete steps: keep four key apps on the phone's home screen, turn off most notifications, check email only twice a day, move rarely used files to the cloud, and use blocking tools such as Cold Turkey or LeechBlock for time sinks.
Why Small Tasks Feel Hard: Executive Functions
Read · yearofmentalhealth.com · 3 min · Issue #158
Chris Guillebeau argues that struggling with small tasks often reflects weak executive functioning, not laziness or a lack of desire.
Summary
Chris Guillebeau argues that struggling with small tasks often reflects weak executive functioning, not laziness or a lack of desire. He says discipline-based productivity advice assumes skills some people lack, and that time blocking is hard to sustain with time blindness. He lists six executive functions: organization, task initiation, working memory, impulse control, focus and emotional regulation. This post opens a series on improving them.
Fold a shirt so it fits a drawer
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #157
Lay the shirt flat, fold it in half, and line up the collar
Summary
Folding a shirt in half, then folding the collar back over with sleeves tucked, makes it fit more easily in a drawer.
The speaker demonstrates a way to fold a T-shirt called the "home T fold." Lay the shirt flat, fold it in half, then fold the top section back over from the collar, tucking the sleeves in. The speaker says the result is a neat, compact fold that lets more shirts fit in a drawer.
Key points- Lay the shirt flat, fold it in half, and line up the collar
- Fold the top back over and tuck the sleeves in
- The speaker says this lets you fit many more shirts in a drawer
How to Organize Your Digital Life With PARA
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #149
Tiago Forte's video explains the PARA method, a simple system for organizing digital information so it can be found when needed.
Summary
Tiago Forte's video explains the PARA method, a simple system for organizing digital information so it can be found when needed. It covers the 10-to-15 rule for creating projects, a way to plan weekly tasks with PARA, and a second brain setup in Apple Notes. Forte also points viewers to his book Building a Second Brain.
50 Hacks
Tool · 50hacks.co · Issue #148
50 Hacks is a crowdsourced site where people post productivity tips and the community votes them into a Top 50 list.
Summary
50 Hacks is a crowdsourced site where people post productivity tips and the community votes them into a Top 50 list. Anyone can submit, upvote or comment without an account, with Hot, New and Top 50 tabs organizing the tips. Marc Lou runs the site, which also carries advertising and a promoted course.
Three Excel shortcuts that save time
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #146
Alt equals inserts a sum for a selected cell or table, instead of typing equals
Summary
Three Excel shortcuts save time: Alt equals for sums, Ctrl+E to split values, and a shortcut to clean up tables.
The speaker lists three Excel tips. The Alt and equals shortcut inserts a sum for a selected range instead of typing a formula. Ctrl+E fills the rest of a column after you type the first value, which splits data from one column into several. The third is a shortcut for quickly cleaning up a messy table instead of doing it by hand.
Key points- Alt equals inserts a sum for a selected cell or table, instead of typing equals
- Type the first value, then Ctrl+E to auto-fill the rest of a split column
- The spoken shortcut Alt, 0, A is used to tidy a messy table
7 Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Settings
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #145
CNET's video presents seven built-in Windows 11 tweaks meant to make the system easier to use.
Summary
CNET's video presents seven built-in Windows 11 tweaks meant to make the system easier to use. The tips cover moving the Start button, using Snap Layouts, hiding desktop icons, adding extra clocks, managing startup apps, turning on dark mode and running Disk Cleanup. All of them are features already included in Windows 11.
Saner.ai
Tool · saner.ai · Issue #143
Saner.AI is an AI personal assistant for notes, email and calendar, aimed at people with ADHD.
Summary
Saner.AI is an AI personal assistant for notes, email and calendar, aimed at people with ADHD. A Chrome extension and voice input capture notes, which can then be searched alongside files and the web. It turns emails into tasks and pulls in Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack and Google Drive. The product is in beta, with a free package offered.
If You're Struggling to Find Inspiration
Read · untetheredmind.co · 3 min · Issue #143
Alex Mathers of the Untethered Mind newsletter argues that people often explain away a lack of progress with identity excuses, such as "I'm just not that kind of person." He says the way forward is to return to the basics of making progress.
Summary
Alex Mathers of the Untethered Mind newsletter argues that people often explain away a lack of progress with identity excuses, such as "I'm just not that kind of person." He says the way forward is to return to the basics of making progress. The post is about a three-minute read and can be opened free through an author link.
Build habits with 60 seconds of meditation
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #142
Place a meditation pillow in a visible, dedicated corner
Summary
Build a habit by making it obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying, starting with just 60 seconds of meditation.
The speaker says building a good habit comes down to four things: make it obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying. Examples include keeping a meditation pillow in a dedicated corner, picking habits you are actually interested in, and starting with 60 seconds instead of 30 minutes, since showing up is what builds the habit. Pairing it with a reward you enjoy keeps you coming back.
Key points- Place a meditation pillow in a visible, dedicated corner
- Pick habits you want, since should-do habits feel like a hassle
- Start with 60 seconds, master showing up, then extend the time
My 5 Favorite Email Tactics
Read · chrisbailey.com · 2 min · Issue #142
Productivity author Chris Bailey argues that email is useful but can drain productivity, so its benefits can be kept while its costs are limited.
Summary
Productivity author Chris Bailey argues that email is useful but can drain productivity, so its benefits can be kept while its costs are limited. His tactics: work through email in timed 15 to 20 minute sprints, use an out-of-office reply that points urgent matters elsewhere, keep messages to five sentences, delete email apps when off call, and handle email in low-energy hours.
Many attempts build skill and dilute luck
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #141
A teacher split a class: one aimed for one perfect pot, one for quantity
Summary
Volume beats perfection: the speaker says many attempts build skill and dilute the role of luck.
The speaker says perfectionism stops people from producing enough work to learn what works. They recount a pottery teacher's experiment: one class was asked for a single perfect pot, the other for as many pots as possible. The volume group made more pots, and their pots were better on average. The speaker concludes that volume of work beats luck.
Key points- A teacher split a class: one aimed for one perfect pot, one for quantity
- The quantity group made more pots, and their pots were better quality too
- Brute-force work finds the answer, and volume negates luck, the speaker says
A tip for Microsoft Outlook
Short · instagram.com · Issue #139
A short tip about Microsoft Outlook .
Summary
A short tip about Microsoft Outlook .
Findr: AI Search Across Work Apps
Tool · usefindr.com · Issue #139
Findr is an AI-powered assistant that answers work-related questions by searching across a user's connected workplace apps, such as Gmail, Slack, Jira and Drive.
Summary
Findr is an AI-powered assistant that answers work-related questions by searching across a user's connected workplace apps, such as Gmail, Slack, Jira and Drive. Its chat can summarize content and draft emails with references to the sources. Search runs in real time, and users only see content they already have permission to access. A Free plan at $0 includes unlimited universal search and 5 daily Co-pilot queries.
Three steps to beat procrastination
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #136
Step one: forgive yourself, since procrastinating is a coping mechanism, not laziness
Summary
Procrastination is stress-driven, so the speaker recommends Mel Robbins' three steps: forgive, acknowledge stress, then act.
The speaker says procrastination is mainly driven by stress and a wish to feel good right now, and cites a researcher for this view. The speaker recommends Mel Robbins's three-step cycle: forgive yourself for procrastinating, acknowledge the stress behind it, then use the five-second rule to start acting before doubt builds.
Key points- Step one: forgive yourself, since procrastinating is a coping mechanism, not laziness
- Step two: acknowledge the aggravation and stress to loosen its grip
- Step three: use the five-second rule to start, acting before you feel ready
Dictation.io: Free Voice-to-Text Tool
Tool · dictation.io · Issue #136
Dictation.io is a free, browser-based voice-to-text tool for Google Chrome on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Summary
Dictation.io is a free, browser-based voice-to-text tool for Google Chrome on Windows, Mac and Linux. It transcribes speech in real time, so users can write emails and documents by speaking, with voice commands for new lines, paragraphs and punctuation. It supports many languages and uses Google Speech Recognition.
Small milestones fuel motivation for the next step
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #134
Fixating on the result tempts you into big unsustainable steps too early
Summary
Set a roadmap with small milestones, since reaching each one triggers reward signals that fuel motivation for the next.
The speaker says people fail at consistency because they fixate on the result and take big steps too early, like a road trip with no route and no fuel. The advice is to build a roadmap for where you are now, make starting easy, and set milestones. Reaching each milestone triggers the brain's reward system, which boosts motivation for the next one.
Key points- Fixating on the result tempts you into big unsustainable steps too early
- Milestones trigger the brain's reward system and boost motivation for the next stop
- Build a roadmap for where you are now, starting easy and taking bigger steps as you grow
Make habits obvious, easy, satisfying, then invert
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #134
Make cues obvious and visible, and scale the habit down to ease starting
Summary
Build a good habit by making it obvious, easy and satisfying, then invert all four to break a bad one.
The speaker lays out four rules for building a good habit: make it obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying. To break a bad habit, reverse each one: make it invisible, unattractive, difficult and unsatisfying. The speaker says that the more enjoyable a habit feels, the more likely it is to be repeated.
Key points- Make cues obvious and visible, and scale the habit down to ease starting
- Make a bad habit invisible, unattractive, difficult and unsatisfying
- Enjoyment makes you more likely to repeat a habit, the speaker says
Scale any habit down to two minutes
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #132
Read one page instead of thirty books a year
Summary
Scale any habit down to something taking two minutes or less, such as one page instead of thirty books a year.
The speaker says the two-minute rule applies to any habit: scale it down to something that takes two minutes or less. Examples include reading one page instead of 30 books a year, taking out the yoga mat instead of doing yoga four days a week, and writing one sentence instead of a weekly newsletter.
Key points- Read one page instead of thirty books a year
- Take out your yoga mat instead of doing yoga four days a week
- Write one sentence instead of a full weekly newsletter
Omnivore
Tool · omnivore.app · Issue #128
Omnivore is a free, open-source read-it-later app for serious readers.
Summary
Omnivore is a free, open-source read-it-later app for serious readers. It saves articles and pages so they can be read later, which helps organize the many tabs and reading items people collect.
New Space: Private AI and Collaboration App
Tool · new.space · Issue #128
new.space is a private AI and collaboration app from Shareup Software Corporation.
Summary
new.space is a private AI and collaboration app from Shareup Software Corporation. It lets users run AI models on their Mac and access them from iOS, Mac or the web. Content is described as end-to-end encrypted and never used to train AI models. Shared Spaces hold links, files and notes for real-time collaboration. The free plan includes 5 GB of storage and 50 AI requests per month.
ReadPilot: AI Page and Video Summaries
Tool · chromewebstore.google.com · Issue #126
ReadPilot is a Chrome extension that uses AI to summarize web pages and videos in one click, directly on the page being read.
Summary
ReadPilot is a Chrome extension that uses AI to summarize web pages and videos in one click, directly on the page being read. Users can set summary length, tone and perspective, receive output in other languages, and save summaries with their original links. The developer is listed as EverGrow Tech Inc., and the extension offers in-app purchases.
The Endless To-Do List
Read · chrisbailey.com · 5 min · Issue #125
Chris Bailey argues that a to-do list is never fully cleared, so the aim is to prioritize well rather than finish everything.
Summary
Chris Bailey argues that a to-do list is never fully cleared, so the aim is to prioritize well rather than finish everything. He keeps about 100 tasks on his list and expects a similar number even in retirement. Chasing an empty list through constant hustle is a trap, since the finish line keeps moving. He recommends prioritizing just enough to know what matters now, and keeping a calm mind.
Force random words into a subject for ideas
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #123
Generate one random word, then force a connection to your subject
Summary
The force-it-in method forces a random word onto a subject to generate new creative ideas.
The speaker presents a creative thinking exercise called the force it in method. Choose a subject, generate a random word with an online random word generator, and force a connection between the two to produce new ideas. The speaker demonstrates it on advertising plain black socks, using random words such as pony and courage to generate ad ideas.
Key points- Generate one random word, then force a connection to your subject
- Black socks paired with pony, courage, cart and dictionary produced ad angles
- A random word like tire sparked a tagline about being bored of the same socks
Question-based agendas can cancel many meetings
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #122
Questions like who runs Project X replace vague topics like plan discussion
Summary
Write meeting agendas as questions and post them in a thread beforehand, so many meetings can be cancelled.
A product manager describes how to avoid unnecessary meetings. Write the agenda as questions to answer, such as who will run Project X, rather than topics to discuss, and post it in a Slack thread instead of the invite. The speaker says this sparked discussion that settled the issues, and asks attendees whether the meeting can be cancelled, though some still choose to hold it.
Key points- Questions like who runs Project X replace vague topics like plan discussion
- Post the questions in a team thread that morning, not in the invite
- If everyone agrees, cancel the meeting, since the thread often settles things
Timestripe: Goal Planning App
Tool · timestripe.com · Issue #122
Timestripe is a goal-planning app built around Horizons, a system with flexible time frames for linking daily tasks to long-term goals.
Summary
Timestripe is a goal-planning app built around Horizons, a system with flexible time frames for linking daily tasks to long-term goals. Other features include calendar time-blocking, shareable boards, Climbs step-by-step programs for areas such as fitness, finance and career, rich-text notes, and recurring goals. Apps are listed for iOS and Android, and the company is based in Tallinn, Estonia.
The Fastest Way to Become Addicted to Discipline
Watch · youtube.com · 13 min · Issue #119
A June 2023 YouTube video by Rian Doris, co-founder and CEO of FlowState, a peak performance research and training institute focused on flow states.
Summary
A June 2023 YouTube video by Rian Doris, co-founder and CEO of FlowState, a peak performance research and training institute focused on flow states. The title frames discipline as something a person can become addicted to. The description offers a free One-Month Day checklist on the FlowState site.
Write decision principles, then turn them into algorithms
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #118
Principles are written down, made clear, and then turned into algorithms
Summary
The speaker writes decision criteria down as principles, then builds them into algorithms so computers can decide.
Ray Dalio says he wrote down the criteria for each decision, refined them into clear principles, and built those principles into algorithms so computers could make decisions. He says he was pleasantly surprised that people are beginning to understand how this systematic, principle-based decision making connects.
Key points- Principles are written down, made clear, and then turned into algorithms
- Says people now grasp how systematic, principle-based decisions link together
Build monthly totals with SUMIFS in Excel
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #116
Sum amounts where the category is advertising and the date falls in each month
Summary
Monthly category totals can be built with SUMIFS on date ranges, then checked to zero in Excel.
A finance creator builds a monthly expense summary in a fast Excel walkthrough. The steps include freezing the header row, adding month columns, and using SUMIFS-style formulas with date bounds to total advertising spend by month. The speaker then copies the formula down, removes decimals, adds a total column, and adds a check row that should net to zero.
Key points- Sum amounts where the category is advertising and the date falls in each month
- Use a greater-than check against prior month end plus one day for the range
- Add a check row that subtracts to zero across all categories
The Four Levels of Knowledge Work
Read · chrisbailey.com · 4 min · Issue #116
Chris Bailey argues that knowledge work falls into four levels by cognitive complexity: drudgery, low-skilled, high-skilled and superskilled.
Summary
Chris Bailey argues that knowledge work falls into four levels by cognitive complexity: drudgery, low-skilled, high-skilled and superskilled. The higher a task sits, the more it is protected from automation, so he suggests moving work up the stack. Drudgery involving people is harder to automate, which is why teaching keeps a human role. Those mostly low on the stack should level up or automate repetitive tasks.
TimeInZone: Compare Times Across Time Zones
Tool · timeinzone.com · Issue #113
TimeInZone is a simple web app for comparing times across several time zones.
Summary
TimeInZone is a simple web app for comparing times across several time zones. It is aimed at planning meeting times across multiple time zones.
Five Thinking Tools From Education to Sharpen Learning
Read · nesslabs.com · 5 min · Issue #113
Anne-Laure Le Cunff's January 2021 Ness Labs article presents five thinking tools borrowed from education to build metacognition.
Summary
Anne-Laure Le Cunff's January 2021 Ness Labs article presents five thinking tools borrowed from education to build metacognition. They are Bloom's taxonomy, the DOVE and ROPE brainstorming rules, the CAMPER questions for evaluating information, the Five Whys for finding root causes and Think-Pair-Share, which moves from solo reflection to pairs to group discussion.
Mind Gardening: Growing Ideas From Your Notes
Read · refinery29.com · 5 min · Issue #111
An interview with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, CEO of Ness Labs, about mind gardening, a way to cultivate ideas instead of passively consuming content.
Summary
An interview with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, CEO of Ness Labs, about mind gardening, a way to cultivate ideas instead of passively consuming content. She describes treating a thought as a seed, noting it down and looking for connections between notes that branch into new ideas. She links the practice to the generation effect, the finding that creating your own version of information aids memory.
Legend: Productivity App for Deep Work
Tool · legendapp.com · Issue #110
Legend combines documents, notes, to-do lists, emails, files and projects in one interface.
Summary
Legend combines documents, notes, to-do lists, emails, files and projects in one interface. Filtered panes surface urgent tasks across projects, and the app supports Markdown documents, an outliner and an agenda view. Sync runs in real time across devices with client-side AES-256 encryption. The free tier includes 10 panes and unlimited documents, and paid plans start at $5 a month.
Deepnotes: Infinite Canvas Note-Taking
Tool · deepnotes.app · Issue #110
Deepnotes is an open source, end-to-end encrypted infinite canvas for notes, with nested containers and real-time collaboration.
Summary
Deepnotes is an open source, end-to-end encrypted infinite canvas for notes, with nested containers and real-time collaboration. It is used for mind maps, diagrams, kanban boards, flashcards and study material. The Basic plan is free at $0 a month with a 50-page limit for personal use, and the Pro plan costs $4.99 a month.
Lightpad: Calendar With a Spatial Timeline
Tool · lightpad.ai · Issue #109
Lightpad is a planning calendar built around Timeflow, a view that lays out days, weeks, months and hours in one consistent format.
Summary
Lightpad is a planning calendar built around Timeflow, a view that lays out days, weeks, months and hours in one consistent format. It syncs with Google Calendar, supports tags with custom colors, and has a notes mode with a focus setting. It works offline as a progressive web app, and its base plan is free, with paid plans listed on a separate pricing page.
The Ultimate Productivity Hack Is Focus
Read · fs.blog · 3 min · Issue #108
Shane Parrish's August 2022 Farnam Street post argues that focus is the key to productivity and success, and that focus means saying no.
Summary
Shane Parrish's August 2022 Farnam Street post argues that focus is the key to productivity and success, and that focus means saying no. He notes that Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Jony Ive credit focus for their success. He describes focus as a muscle practiced daily, and says focused people often keep working on one idea for a long time even without visible results.
Why Maximum Effort Doesn't Build Top Teams: The 85% Rule
Read · hbr.org · 13 min · Issue #104
Greg McKeown's June 2023 Harvard Business Review article argues that maximum effort does not produce maximum results.
Summary
Greg McKeown's June 2023 Harvard Business Review article argues that maximum effort does not produce maximum results. It proposes an 85% rule, where teams perform best when people give about 85% effort. The article warns that constant 100% effort leads to burnout and weaker results, and it is aimed at managers.
Three time rules make habits easier to build
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #101
Start a habit as a two-minute task, like putting on running shoes
Summary
Combining a 2-minute rule, a 2-day rule and a 2-year rule makes building habits and skills much easier.
The speaker presents the Triple-Two system, a set of three rules (2 minute, 2 day and 2 year) for building habits and skills. Using a 30-minute morning jog as the example, the habit is first reduced to a 2-minute task tied to a specific cue, such as putting on running shoes after brushing teeth. Once showing up is consistent, the duration is increased.
Key points- Start a habit as a two-minute task, like putting on running shoes
- Commit to only a two-minute jog for the first week or so
- Lengthen the habit to 30 minutes once showing up is consistent
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