How I work 12+ hours a day (without getting tired)

Summary

This video script outlines a seven-step framework for achieving high productivity without burnout. It emphasizes focusing on the right tasks, enjoying the work, managing energy over time, maintaining focus by saying no to distractions, building unstoppable momentum, taking circuit breakers for recharging, and most importantly, having fun. The script shares success stories, like Warren Buffett's prioritization advice and Mr. Beast's persistence, to inspire viewers to work smarter, not harder, and to enjoy the journey.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Prioritize the Right Things: Focus on the most important tasks to avoid spreading yourself too thin and ensure progress towards your goals.
• 🤹 Work on What Feels Like Play: Engage in work that you enjoy to maintain long-term motivation and prevent burnout.
• 🔋 Manage Energy, Not Time: Recognize the natural rhythms of energy throughout the day and work in high-intensity sprints rather than long, unproductive periods.
• 🚫 The Power of Saying No: True focus comes from rejecting opportunities that don't align with your main priorities, even if they are attractive.
• 🏋️ Circuit Breakers for Recharge: Incorporate activities that reset your energy levels, like workouts or holidays, to maintain productivity.
• 🚀 Build Unstoppable Momentum: Persistence over time leads to significant achievements, even when faced with long periods of perceived lack of success.
• 🧘‍♂️ Maintain Discipline: Develop the discipline to work through tasks, even when they are challenging, to achieve your goals.
• 🤝 Embrace the Compound Effect: Great achievements come from the consistent application of effort over time, much like compound interest.
• 🎉 Have Fun: Enjoy the process of working towards your goals to keep the journey enjoyable and less stressful.
• 🛑 Be Prepared for Peaks and Troughs: Understand that there will be periods of success and failure, and maintain resilience through these cycles.
• 🏆 Extreme Commitment: Embrace the idea that extraordinary results require an extraordinary level of commitment and work ethic.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video script focuses on a seven-step framework for working long hours without burning out and achieving success, as exemplified by individuals earning a million dollars per year or more.

What is the significance of the story about Warren Buffett and his pilot?

The story illustrates the importance of prioritization and focusing on the most important goals, as Buffett advises his pilot to avoid the 'opportunity cost' of not concentrating on the top five goals.

Why is it essential to do what feels like play but looks like work to others?

It's essential because to sustain long-term effort, one must enjoy the work. Enjoyment leads to a love for the process, which is crucial for achieving mastery and leveraging the power of compound interest in one's endeavors.

What does the term 'Hour of Power' refer to in the script?

'Hour of Power' refers to a block of time during which the individual is highly focused and productive, achieving more in that hour than in several hours of less focused work.

How does managing energy differ from managing time according to the script?

Managing energy involves recognizing the natural rhythms and peaks in one's day to maximize productivity during high-energy periods, rather than trying to work continuously for long hours.

What is the importance of saying 'no' in the context of maintaining focus?

Saying 'no' is crucial for maintaining focus because it allows one to concentrate on the most important tasks and avoid the distractions of less critical but potentially attractive opportunities.

What strategy did Steve Jobs use to ensure his team's focus?

Steve Jobs used the strategy of asking his lead designer what he had said 'no' to, emphasizing that focus is about rejecting less important tasks to concentrate on the most critical ones.

Why is building unstoppable momentum important for long-term success?

Unstoppable momentum is important because it creates a compounding effect over time. This effect can lead to significant achievements, as illustrated by the story of Jimmy Donaldson, who achieved success after years of perseverance.

What are 'circuit breakers' in the context of the script?

Circuit breakers are activities that help recharge one's energy, such as workouts or holidays, allowing for a reset of mental and physical fatigue and a renewed capacity for productivity.

Why is having fun an important aspect of the work process described in the script?

Having fun is important because it enhances the enjoyment of the work process, making it easier to sustain effort over the long term and ensuring that the journey to success is not only productive but also enjoyable.

What is the final piece of advice given in the script regarding the approach to work and life?

The final piece of advice is to not take oneself too seriously, to incorporate fun into all aspects of life and work, and to recognize that many perceived risks and challenges are less significant than they initially appear.

Outlines

00:00

📈 Prioritization and Focus for Success

The first paragraph introduces a seven-step framework for achieving success without burning out. It emphasizes the importance of working on the right tasks rather than working long hours, as illustrated by a story about Warren Buffett and his advice on prioritizing the top five goals from a list of 25. The concept of opportunity cost is highlighted to stress the need to avoid distractions from the main objectives. The paragraph also touches on the necessity of enjoying the work you do to sustain long-term effort and the principle of compound interest in achieving greatness.

05:01

🏋️‍♂️ Energy Management and Productivity

The second paragraph discusses the strategy of managing energy rather than time, using the author's personal experience of working on a sales floor and achieving high performance by focusing on 'an hour of power.' It explains how different times of the day have different energy levels and the importance of leveraging this rhythm for productivity. The paragraph also mentions the idea of creating barriers to maintain focus, inspired by Steve Jobs' approach to saying 'no' to distractions in order to stay committed to priorities.

🚀 Persistence and Momentum in Long-Term Goals

The third paragraph focuses on the importance of persistence and building unstoppable momentum, especially when facing discouragement from others. It uses the example of YouTuber Mr. Beast, who experienced slow growth initially but eventually found great success. The paragraph encourages embracing the ups and downs of the journey and the willingness to fail in order to achieve success, emphasizing the long-term compounding effect of consistent effort.

🔋 Recharging for Peak Productivity

The fourth paragraph explores the concept of circuit breakers, which are activities that help recharge energy and reset mental fatigue. It suggests using workouts and planned holidays as effective ways to refresh and renew one's capacity for work. The paragraph also encourages planning for these breaks in advance to ensure a continuous cycle of high productivity.

🎉 Embracing Fun in Business and Life

The final paragraph stresses the importance of having fun in business and life. It reflects on the author's early days in business, where taking oneself too seriously can detract from enjoyment. The paragraph advocates for integrating fun into work and life as a key value, suggesting that a lighter approach can lead to a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

Keywords

💡Burning Out

Burning out refers to the state of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. In the context of the video, it is contrasted with working long hours effectively by focusing on the right things rather than just working for the sake of working. The script mentions people making millions without burning out, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance and smart work over just hard work.

💡Seven-Step Framework

A seven-step framework in this video represents a structured approach to achieving success without overworking. It is a methodical process that the speaker uses to go from humble beginnings to significant sales and success. The framework is the core strategy discussed in the video, guiding viewers on how to work efficiently and sustainably.

💡Opportunity Cost

Opportunity cost is an economic concept that represents the potential benefit an individual, investor, or business misses out on when choosing one alternative over another. In the script, it is used to illustrate the importance of prioritizing tasks and focusing on the most critical goals, as every new action taken incurs a cost in terms of not focusing on something else that could be more important.

💡Compound Interest

Compound interest is a concept where interest is calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. In the video, it is metaphorically used to describe the idea that consistent, long-term efforts in a particular area can lead to significant growth and success over time, much like how interest compounds in finance.

💡Energy Management

Energy management in the video refers to the practice of efficiently allocating one's mental and physical energy to perform tasks effectively. It contrasts with time management by emphasizing the importance of being in the right state of mind and energy level to work productively, rather than just focusing on the amount of time spent working.

💡Focus

Focus, as discussed in the video, is the ability to concentrate on a particular task or goal without being distracted. It is portrayed as a key to success, with the example of Steve Jobs emphasizing the importance of saying 'no' to less important tasks in order to concentrate on the most critical ones. This concept is central to the video's message on productivity.

💡Momentum

Momentum, in the context of the video, refers to the build-up of a strong force or influence that increases over time. It is used to describe the importance of maintaining continuous effort and persistence in one's work, which, when compounded over time, can lead to significant achievements, as illustrated by the story of Jimmy Donaldson, aka Mr Beast.

💡Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers in the video are activities or practices that help to recharge one's energy and reset mental fatigue. They are essential for maintaining high productivity levels and preventing burnout. Examples given include workouts and planned holidays, which serve as breaks that refresh and rejuvenate the individual, allowing for a renewed capacity to work.

💡Productivity

Productivity in the video is the efficiency of an individual's work, measured by the output achieved in a given time. It is a central theme of the video, with the speaker advocating for smart work practices that enhance productivity, such as energy management, focus, and the use of circuit breakers, rather than simply working for longer hours.

💡Fun

Fun is emphasized in the video as an essential element of work and life. It is presented as a key to maintaining motivation, engagement, and a positive attitude towards one's work. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about taking business too seriously and how focusing on enjoyment can lead to a more fulfilling and successful career.

Highlights

Working 12+ hours a day without burning out involves focusing on the right things rather than working long hours.

Successful individuals make millions by focusing on two crucial elements explained later in the video.

The seven-step framework is shared by the speaker for achieving success from humble beginnings.

Warren Buffett's advice on focusing on the top 5 career goals and avoiding the rest at all costs.

The importance of doing what feels like play but is perceived as work by others for long-term sustainability.

The concept of managing energy over time for peak performance throughout the day.

The significance of 'Hour of Power' blocks for intense productivity compared to long, unfocused work periods.

Steve Jobs' method of focusing by saying 'no' to many good opportunities to stay on track with priorities.

Creating barriers to maintain focus and the discipline to work through pain for set goals.

The power of momentum in long-term projects and its compounding effect over time.

Mr. Beast's story of slow growth and perseverance leading to significant success on YouTube.

The necessity to embrace failure as part of the journey to success.

Strategies for recharging energy, such as workouts and planned holidays, for maximum productivity.

The importance of planning rest days and using them as circuit breakers to reset and renew energy.

Having fun as a key component of business and life to ensure enjoyment and reduce stress.

The speaker's personal realization that being serious all the time is counterproductive and the value of fun.

The encouragement to not worry too much and to see risks as less daunting than they appear.

The final advice to savor every moment and maximize fun in all endeavors.

Transcripts

this is how to work for 12 plus hours

per day without ever burning out there

are regular people just like you who are

making as much as a million doll per

year a million do per month and even a

million per hour and the difference

isn't that they work longer hours than

you the difference lies in two crucial

things which I'll get to later in the

video this is a seven-step framework

that I use to go from working out of a

rented bedroom with no more than $50 to

doing over $100 million in sales and

becoming a shark on sharp step number

one what to focus on it is far more

important to work on the right things

than it is to work for long periods of

time so there's a story of Warren

Buffett where he approaches his Pilot

who's been working with him for 10 years

and he wants to discuss his career goals

with him so he sits him down and he says

what is it that you want to achieve over

the next 10 years and he has him write a

list of the top 25 things that he wants

to achieve in his career and then he

says okay now I want you to break it

down into the fin things off that list

of 25 that are the most important to you

beyond all other things and he finally

gets it down to two lists one that has

five and then one that has the original

25 on them and he said what are you

going to do with those other 20 items

and he said I will prioritize this list

of five and then whenever I have time

and whenever I've completed these is

I'll I'll start to work through that

other list intermittently and Buffett

looks at him really confused for a

moment and he's like no no no that other

list of 20 items is your list of things

to avoid at absolutely all costs Buffett

knows that there is no world that exists

where you're going to be able to get to

all of those things and all the time and

energy that you think that you're going

to spend bleeding out to those other 20

items and not prioritize on the five is

actually going to stop you from hitting

the original five in the first place and

that's because every time that we pick a

new course of action we incur the

opportunity cost of not focusing on the

main thing step number two do what feels

like play to you but looks like work to

others you'll be surprised in how many

people get offended by when you choose

to work hard and the key is if you're

going to be doing anything for long

extended periods of time you're never

going to ever be able to sustain that if

it's not something that you enjoy and if

you want to become world class at

anything it has to be something that

you're constantly happy and tinkering

Away with where you have this just

insatiable love for the game because all

great things in life come from compound

interest and the best way to get

compound interest is to by default do

things for long extended periods of time

and that is impossible to do if it's

just constantly a grind for you rather

than you waking up in the morning and

being like hey like I can't wait to get

to work on this project that I'm working

on and the best way to do this is to

always be learning a new skill that is

connected to the primary thing that it

is that you're doing this brings us to

step number number three which is to

manage your energy and not your time

when I was 17 I moved to London and I

got a job in a sales floor and there was

a th000 people on the sales floor and

our quota was 2 sales per day most of

that sales floor would struggle to do

that in a 9-hour shift and I would make

those sales by lunchtime I used to get

myself into this completely dialed in

Peak date and I called that a level 10

and I would break my day up into these

blocks of what I would call an hour of

power an hour in the morning is very

different to an hour in the afternoon

because if you think about it like

everything in the universe is a rhythm

the tides EB and flow there's the moon

there's the cadium Rhythm so it's only

natural that you apply that same kind of

rhythm of energy into your day 1 Hour of

Power is equivalent of 5 hours of just

toasting so it's about accumulating

these short intense Sprints than it is

for just grinding for hours on end

because it is is not about the hours

that you put in it is all about the

output that you get out step number four

how to focus so Steve Jobs used to sit

down his lead designer Johnny IV and he

used to say Johnny what have you said no

to and Johnny would bring him this

sacrificial list and he'd be like no no

no no no what have you really said no to

because Steve understood that focus is

not what you say yes to it is all about

what you say no to and it's easy easy to

say no to things that you don't

necessarily want to do it's very

difficult to say no to things that are

very illustrious and that you really

really want to do or that you are really

deeply passionate about and that are

also great opportunities but you're

saying no to them to keep you focused on

your priorities and what it was that you

committed to in the first place then

what you want to do is you want to

create Moes around yourself and you want

to create a situation where it is very

very difficult to things to come in and

try to distract you from the main goal

and it might sound extreme but Extreme

people get extreme results if you assign

an hour or 2 hours to work on something

the exercise and the discipline that you

must build is that I will sit here in

complete pain working my way through

this or nothing else will get done step

number five how to keep going when

everybody tells you to quit working for

long extended periods of time builds

Unstoppable momentum and that momentum

over a year over half a decade over

multiple decades it compounds and that

compounding effect goes out of control

and a great story about this is Jimmy

Donaldson aka Mr Beast it took Jimmy 4

years to get 1,000 subscribers on

YouTube and in his own words it took 8

years before he saw any real success on

YouTube any normal person would quit

after taking 4 years to get 1,000 subs

and everybody would also like to see the

same success that Jimmy does however if

you took those people and you asked them

would you be willing to do 4 years and

get 1,000 subs and then another 4 years

on top of that before you see any real

success on YouTube no one would be if

you're not willing to put in that same

level of work then it is unreasonable to

expect a different outcome there are

going to be Peaks and troughs and Peaks

and troughs and in all reality there's

going to be long troughs where you don't

see any success because if you want

success like successful people have then

you have to be willing to fail like

successful people do so whatever that

Journey that you're in right now

whatever that loss that you're kind of

burdening with right now whatever wall

that you're trying to push through just

keep pushing step number six

circuit breakers this is all about how

do you recharge your energy for maximum

productivity it's an activity that you

do throughout your day throughout your

week and throughout your year it just

resets all the static energy in your

body so you get a second wind to get

after it and a couple of these that are

really good is workouts whether you work

out in the morning or you work out in

the middle of the day or you work out to

end the day it's all about using that as

a tent pole as a way where it's like

you've completely fatigued your mental

capacity and you go out there and you do

a physical strenuous workout and then

once you've done that it has just broken

that circuit and you feel renewed and

you feel recharged I also like to use

holidays for this it's great to actually

sit down and plan when your holidays are

instead of waiting for when you need a

holiday you need to look at those

multiple touch coins throughout that

quarter throughout that month throughout

that week and throughout that day that

you can gamify this process for me I

like to get my heaviest work day done on

a Friday I like to get my heaviest

weightlifting day on a Friday because I

know then I have a day or two of rest

before I get back and I go back into

that next weekly cycle step number seven

have fun when I started out in

business I had watched a lot of business

shows I'd read a lot of business books

and I had this idea in my mind of what

it meant to be a businessman and I took

myself far too serious the way that I

dressed the way that I acted and it's

because I had this idea that that I had

really adopted from Society of what it

meant to be somebody that had a business

what really ended up having as a result

of that is that I just didn't have much

fun cuz I thought that if you had a

business you had to be really serious

and all of that stuff is complete

horseshit because what is the point of

doing any of this if you're not having

fun in the first place in fact one of my

company values right now is if it's not

fun then you're doing it wrong and

that's actually one of my biggest

personal goals is just just to have more

fun with everything that it is that I do

it is so important to make sure that

you're conscious and that you're baking

in these little Easter eggs throughout

your year throughout your week and

throughout your life where you are

always having fun don't worry so much

cuz things are far less risky than they

look from the outset and Society is

constructed in a way where it is builds

things up to be such a big deal when

they really really aren't and it's

because people want you to go the

conservative path but these things that

you build up in your mind are usually

far less of an issue than what you think

that they are and just savor every

single moment and make sure that you're

maximizing the amount of fun that you

can have it because the days are long

but the decades are short like subscribe

and I'll see you in the next one