How to actually stick to a schedule (even if you lack discipline)

Summary

This video script discusses the challenges of sticking to a plan and offers three levels of productivity techniques. Level one introduces time blocking with a calendar. Level two involves creating a paper list of weekly tasks to maintain focus. Level three suggests setting loud alarms for key tasks to ensure timely action. The speaker shares personal experiences and strategies to help viewers effectively plan and execute their tasks, avoiding distractions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Planning and executing tasks can be challenging, and sticking to a plan isn't always straightforward.
• 📅 Time blocking is a basic productivity technique where you use a calendar to schedule different activities throughout the day.
• 📝 Despite time blocking, the speaker found it difficult to follow their calendar and often got sidetracked or ignored time blocks.
• 📋 Level two involves writing down major tasks for the week on a piece of paper, which helps set priorities and prevents last-minute changes.
• 🔖 Taping the weekly task list on the monitor serves as a constant reminder and helps maintain focus on the planned tasks.
• 🔄 This system allows flexibility in how tasks are approached while still being strict about what needs to be done.
• 📳 Level three suggests setting obnoxious alarms on your phone for key tasks and checkpoints to ensure timely action.
• 🛌 Examples of recurring alarms include wake-up, breakfast, gym time, shutdown ritual, and bedtime to maintain a structured daily routine.
• 🎥 For specific tasks like filming a video, setting an alarm reinforces the calendar notification and helps start the task on time.
• 🌟 The speaker encourages trying these techniques to improve adherence to plans and completing tasks effectively.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker is facing with their planning and execution of tasks?

The speaker struggles with sticking to their plans and often finds themselves doing random tasks instead of following through with their planned activities, which may not be urgent or contribute significantly to their goals.

What is the first level of planning technique discussed in the script?

The first level is time blocking, which involves using a calendar to create blocks for different activities throughout the day and sticking to the schedule.

Why does the speaker feel that time blocking might not be working well for them?

The speaker suspects that not having their calendar app visible throughout the day leads to getting sidetracked and ignoring time blocks, even when calendar notifications pop up.

What is the second level of planning technique introduced by the speaker?

The second level involves writing down all major tasks for the week on a piece of paper at the start of the week and then placing it somewhere visible, like the side of a monitor, to serve as a constant reminder.

How does the speaker suggest using the weekly task list in conjunction with time blocking?

The speaker suggests that while the weekly task list provides a set of tasks that must be done, time blocking allows for flexibility in when those tasks are completed, without the need to adjust the list.

What is the third level of planning technique mentioned in the script?

The third level is setting obnoxious alarms on the phone for key checkpoints or must-do tasks throughout the day to ensure that the speaker starts and completes tasks on time.

Why are the obnoxious alarms more effective for the speaker than calendar notifications?

Obnoxious alarms are more effective because they are harder to ignore, as they involve vibrations and loud sounds that require immediate attention, unlike soft calendar notifications that can be easily dismissed.

What are some recurring alarms the speaker sets for their daily routine?

The speaker sets alarms for waking up, making breakfast, going to the gym, doing a shutdown ritual before dinner, and going to bed.

How does the speaker plan to reinforce the time blocking system with alarms?

The speaker plans to set alarms for specific tasks at the times they are supposed to start, according to their time blocking schedule, to ensure they begin the task promptly.

What is the speaker's advice for those who struggle with sticking to a schedule and completing tasks on time?

The speaker advises trying out the techniques they discussed, such as time blocking, using a visible weekly task list, and setting obnoxious alarms, to help stay on track and complete tasks as planned.

What is the speaker's closing statement encouraging the audience to do?

The speaker encourages the audience to do something today that their future self would thank them for, emphasizing the importance of taking action on their plans.