What I learnt after 3000 days of scheduling

Summary

In this video, Dr. Justin Sun shares his journey of managing a demanding 100-hour workweek and how he improved his scheduling over time. Initially relying on strict, sleep-depriving routines, he transitioned to a more balanced approach using digital tools like Google Calendar. Dr. Sun emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks, avoiding sleep deprivation, and tracking time accurately to enhance productivity. He provides practical tips for setting realistic schedules and adjusting them based on personal efficiency and flow. The video aims to help viewers manage their time better without compromising their well-being.

Takeaways

• 😇 Dr. Justin Sun's video is about sharing his personal experience and strategies for managing an extremely busy schedule, emphasizing the importance of time management and prioritization.
• 📚 He used to work 100 hours a week, which included studying, tutoring, and managing a nonprofit, and this schedule was possible due to his privileged circumstances and support system.
• ⏰ Sun initially struggled with time management, using a physical notebook and creating strict schedules that often led to sleep deprivation and emotional stress.
• 🚫 He strongly advises against sacrificing sleep for productivity, highlighting the importance of sleep for memory consolidation and cognitive performance.
• 🔄 Sun learned from his mistakes and shifted to digital calendars, which offer more flexibility and ease of adjustment when unexpected events occur.
• 🎯 He emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals and time blocks, overestimating the time required for tasks to avoid the stress of constant rescheduling.
• 🌀 The concept of 'flow' is critical for productivity; understanding personal productivity patterns throughout the day helps in arranging tasks for optimal efficiency.
• 📈 Sun suggests using time tracking to better understand how long tasks actually take, which can help in more accurate future scheduling.
• 🛠️ Prioritization is key, and Sun recommends focusing on the top one or two priorities each day, ensuring that these are the tasks that contribute most to long-term goals.
• 🔄 He encourages picking your losses wisely, accepting that not everything can be done and focusing on what can be realistically achieved without compromising health or well-being.
• 📘 Sun concludes with a call to action for viewers to reflect on their own methods, improve efficiency, and continue learning better strategies for time and task management.

Q & A

What was Dr. Justin Sun's weekly workload during his most intense period?

Dr. Justin Sun worked 100 hours a week for over 4 years, which included studying, tutoring, participating in university club events, organizing conferences, and later, working as a doctor.

Why did Dr. Sun initially work such long hours?

He worked long hours not because he thought it was cool, but because he had many interests and an extreme personality, which led him to be involved in various activities and responsibilities.

How did Dr. Sun's early learning inefficiency impact his study hours during his first year of university?

Due to his early learning inefficiency, Dr. Sun studied up to 120 hours a week during his first year of university, which was more than necessary for entering medical school.

What changes did Dr. Sun make to his scheduling method over time?

Dr. Sun transitioned from using a physical notebook to a digital calendar, started setting fewer strict schedules, and prioritized sleep and flexibility over cramming as many tasks as possible into his day.

Why did Dr. Sun stop using a physical notebook for scheduling?

He found that using a physical notebook made it difficult to adjust plans when things went wrong, as it was time-consuming and increased friction, making him less likely to make necessary adjustments.

What is the importance of sleep according to Dr. Sun's experiences and recommendations?

Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, cognitive performance, and overall brain health. Consistently sacrificing sleep is unsustainable, dangerous, and counterproductive.

How did Dr. Sun's strict scheduling and sleep deprivation lead to negative consequences?

His strict scheduling and sleep deprivation led to burnout, depression, and a significant physical and emotional burden that took years to recover from.

What is the main principle Dr. Sun follows regarding unexpected events in scheduling?

Dr. Sun follows the principle of assuming that things will not go as planned and planning for unexpected events by making schedules flexible and easy to adjust.

How did Dr. Sun's approach to time management evolve to improve his productivity and well-being?

He started by setting big daily goals and general time blocks, switched to time tracking to understand his true spending of time, and focused on maintaining a flow of tasks throughout the day.

What is the significance of flow in Dr. Sun's time management strategy?

Flow is significant because it helps maintain optimum productivity. By arranging tasks in a sequence that promotes flow, Dr. Sun found that he could be more efficient and enjoy his work.

How does Dr. Sun prioritize tasks in his current scheduling method?

Dr. Sun prioritizes tasks by identifying his top one or two biggest priorities for the day, which are the tasks that will contribute the most to his future self, and then schedules everything else around those.

What advice does Dr. Sun give for dealing with tasks that don't get scheduled or completed?

Dr. Sun advises to pick your losses and make a plan for recovery. If tasks are consistently not getting done, it indicates a need to improve efficiency or methods in those areas.