how I finish 20 hours of work in 4 hours every week

Summary

In this video, the creator shares how they manage to complete 20 hours of work in just 4 hours by focusing on efficiency and reducing distractions. They discuss key strategies like time-blocking, setting clear goals, using apps to minimize social media and internal distractions, and implementing tools like Focusmate and JCAI to streamline tasks. Additionally, they reveal their daily routine of deep work, exercise, and learning. The creator emphasizes the importance of consistency and waking up early to achieve sustained productivity and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Plan your day with a clear task list: Writing down specific tasks helps you focus on high-leverage activities and avoid wasting time on less meaningful tasks.
• 😀 Time block for focus: Break your work into focused 50-90 minute blocks with short breaks in between to stay productive and maintain attention.
• 😀 Start with hard tasks in the morning: Your focus is sharpest early in the day, so schedule cognitively demanding tasks like coding or writing first.
• 😀 Control your attention, not your time: Time blocking is about managing where you direct your attention, rather than controlling the clock.
• 😀 Limit social media use: Schedule social media usage to reclaim valuable hours and avoid wasting time scrolling aimlessly.
• 😀 Avoid internal distractions: Write down any off-topic thoughts or ideas that come up during work, and address them later to maintain focus.
• 😀 Use tools to enhance focus: Apps like Focusmate, Cold Turkey, and B Minder help block distractions and keep you accountable.
• 😀 Automate email responses: Tools like JCAI can help draft emails, saving you time and making email management more efficient.
• 😀 Leverage your environment for focus: Use tools like grayscale screens or a physical lockbox to limit distractions and create a focused work environment.
• 😀 Develop a daily routine: Consistently waking up early and setting structured work periods can help you achieve 4-6 hours of productive deep work daily.

Q & A

Why is it important to have a clear plan for the day?

Having a clear plan helps you prioritize the most important tasks, ensuring that you focus on high-leverage activities instead of wasting time on less meaningful ones.

How does time blocking improve productivity?

Time blocking allows you to set specific periods for focused work, helping you maintain attention on one task at a time. This method maximizes your cognitive energy and prevents multitasking, which can reduce efficiency.

What is the optimal time for deep work, according to the speaker?

The speaker recommends doing deep work, such as coding or writing, in the morning when you're most refreshed and cognitively alert. This is because cognitive energy is higher, and your body isn’t busy digesting food.

How can social media affect your productivity, and how can you manage it?

Social media can consume a significant amount of time, often leading to distractions. The speaker suggests using social media on a scheduled basis, which can free up hours in the day for more productive activities.

What are internal distractions, and how can you deal with them?

Internal distractions are thoughts or ideas that pull you away from your current task. To manage them, the speaker recommends writing down the distraction to address it later, thus maintaining focus on the current task.

What is the role of tools like JCAI in boosting productivity?

JCAI helps you manage emails more efficiently by pre-writing drafts based on your previous responses, which reduces the time spent on email management and allows for a more streamlined workflow.

What is Focusmate, and how does it help with accountability?

Focusmate pairs you with someone else who is also working, helping you stay accountable. You set your task and work in parallel with your partner, making it easier to stay focused and motivated.

How does B Minder work, and why might someone use it?

B Minder is an app that penalizes you if you don’t complete a task. The penalty increases with each failure, making it a useful tool for people who need strong external motivation to stay on task.

Why is it helpful to use a grayscale screen, and when should you use it?

Using a grayscale screen reduces visual stimulation, helping you stay focused on the task at hand. It's a good strategy when you want to avoid getting distracted by colors, such as when you're writing or doing focused work that doesn’t require a visual interface.

What is a kitchen lock box, and how does it help with focus?

A kitchen lock box is a physical box with a timer that you can use to lock away distractions, such as your phone. It’s an effective way to keep yourself from checking your phone and allows you to focus on the task at hand until the timer expires.