It’s really simple to be more productive than 99% of students.

Summary

In this video, a Columbia University student shares a simplified productivity system that helped them manage a demanding academic life. They highlight the importance of using a digital calendar to track deadlines and organize tasks, prioritizing important but not urgent tasks, and avoiding complicated productivity hacks. By following simple rules like 'Eat the Frog' and chaining tasks together, they ensure daily progress. The speaker also emphasizes flexibility, health, and mindset shifts, explaining that staying productive requires taking care of physical and mental health, and rescheduling unfinished tasks without stress.

Takeaways

• 😀 Recognize when a productivity system no longer works for you and adapt accordingly.
• 😀 Avoid overcomplicating your productivity system—simplicity often yields better results.
• 😀 Immediately add deadlines and important events to a digital calendar to keep everything organized.
• 😀 Use productivity apps like ClickUp to manage tasks, set priorities, and track progress efficiently.
• 😀 Apply the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
• 😀 Be flexible with daily plans; avoid strict time-blocking and allow room for adjustments.
• 😀 Tackle the most important and challenging task first in the day (Eat the Frog method).
• 😀 Chain tasks together by linking harder tasks with more enjoyable ones to maintain momentum.
• 😀 Change your study or work environment to boost focus and refresh your mind.
• 😀 Don’t dwell on unfinished tasks—reschedule them for the next day and keep moving forward.
• 😀 Prioritize physical and mental health, as a healthy body and mind are the foundation of productivity.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial challenge with productivity at Columbia University?

The speaker initially struggled with time management and found that their previous study methods were ineffective, particularly after receiving a low grade on their first quiz. This prompted the need for a better productivity system.

How did the speaker's perception of productivity systems change over time?

The speaker initially tried adopting complex productivity systems inspired by online videos, but they found them difficult to stick with. Eventually, they realized that simpler systems were more effective and aligned better with their needs.

What habit did the speaker develop to improve their productivity?

The speaker developed the habit of immediately adding deadlines, homework, exam schedules, and events to their digital calendar as soon as they learned about them, which helped organize their tasks in one place.

What tool did the speaker introduce to improve task and project management, and how did they use it?

The speaker introduced ClickUp, a project management tool, which they used to organize their tasks, set due dates, create checklists, collaborate with others, and track their progress. They found it more customizable and comprehensive compared to Google Calendar.

What is the Eisenhower Matrix, and how does the speaker use it in their productivity system?

The Eisenhower Matrix is a tool for prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance. The speaker uses it to focus on tasks that are both urgent and important, and prioritizes 'important but not urgent' tasks, like skill development and long-term goals, over less important but urgent tasks.

Why does the speaker avoid strict time-blocking in their schedule?

The speaker finds strict time-blocking difficult because of the unpredictability of their energy levels and the frequent changes that can disrupt the day's plans. Instead, they prefer flexibility in deciding when to tackle tasks.

What are the two main rules the speaker follows for daily productivity?

The two rules are 'Eat the Frog,' which means completing the most important or dreaded task first, and 'Chain Tasks Together,' which involves pairing more difficult tasks with easier, enjoyable ones to maintain momentum.

How does changing locations help the speaker stay productive?

Changing locations helps the speaker recharge mentally and refocus by offering a new environment. It also encourages them to take short walks, which boosts energy levels and provides a mental reset.

What does the speaker do if they don't finish a task for the day?

If the speaker doesn't finish a task, they simply reschedule it for the next day without stressing over it. They focus on ensuring that the next day is productive instead of dwelling on missed tasks.

Why is maintaining good health critical for the speaker's productivity?

The speaker emphasizes that physical and mental health are foundational to productivity. They learned that exercise, proper sleep, and a balanced diet significantly enhance focus, energy, and mood, making it easier to be productive.