This simple productivity system got me into Harvard and Yale
Summary
TLDRThis video introduces a straightforward productivity system that emphasizes simplicity and effectiveness. The 'inverted pyramid method' suggests starting the day with the most critical task, dedicating 3 hours to it and then progressively less time to less important tasks. The script also highlights the importance of leveraging the Pareto principle to focus on high-impact activities. It advises against 'feelgood work' and suggests using high-intensity exercise to boost brain function during breaks. Lastly, the video stresses the importance of focused work without distractions to maximize productivity.
Takeaways
- 📚 Start with the most important task using the 'Inverted Pyramid Method', dedicating the most time to it first.
- ⏳ Allocate time slots for tasks based on their importance, such as 3 hours for the top priority, 2 hours for the second, and 1 hour for the third.
- 🔍 Apply the Pareto Principle by focusing on the 20% of tasks that will yield 80% of the results.
- 🤔 Prioritize tasks that will get you 80% of the way towards your ultimate goal, rather than getting caught up in less impactful activities.
- 🚀 Avoid 'feelgood work' that gives the illusion of productivity without actually moving you towards your goals.
- 🧠 Use critical thinking to determine the most leveraged next step in your work, rather than relying on emotions or habits.
- 🏋️♂️ Take high-intensity exercise breaks to boost brain function and reset your mind for focused work.
- 🧘♀️ After exercise, use meditation to calm down before returning to work for increased productivity.
- 🚫 Eliminate distractions and multitasking when working to fully utilize your brain's capacity.
- 🔄 Adapt your productivity system to your situation, focusing on what is most important and leverageable at the moment.
- 📈 The system is simple and intuitive, requiring no complex tools or planning, just a commitment to focusing on high-impact tasks.
Q & A
What is the main theme of the video?
-The main theme of the video is introducing a simple, intuitive, and effortless productivity system that can be used even in the most basic circumstances.
What is the 'inverted pyramid method' mentioned in the video?
-The inverted pyramid method is a productivity strategy where you start your day with the most important task and spend the majority of your time on it, then funnel down the time spent on less important tasks.
How many hours does the speaker recommend spending on the most important task using the inverted pyramid method?
-The speaker recommends spending 3 hours on the most important task, following the 3-2-1 time allocation system.
What is the Pareto Principle, and how does it relate to the productivity system discussed in the video?
-The Pareto Principle states that 80% of results come from 20% of causes. It relates to the productivity system by emphasizing the importance of focusing on the most impactful tasks to achieve maximum efficiency.
Why does the speaker suggest avoiding multitasking and distractions while working?
-The speaker suggests avoiding multitasking and distractions to fully utilize brain capacity and focus on producing the best work, as distractions can reduce the quality and efficiency of work.
What is the speaker's recommendation for taking breaks during work?
-The speaker recommends listening to one's brain and body for break timing and engaging in high-intensity exercise during breaks to boost brain function and reset the mind.
How does high-intensity exercise benefit the brain according to the video?
-High-intensity exercise benefits the brain by increasing the production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which is essential for learning, growth, and thinking.
What is the 'feelgood work productivity' mentioned in the video?
-Feelgood work productivity refers to productivity done for the sake of feeling productive, which may not necessarily lead to the most effective or efficient work.
How does the speaker suggest determining the most leverage next step in one's work?
-The speaker suggests self-coaching by asking what the most important task is that would get one 80% of the way towards their goal, and focusing on that task.
What is the speaker's view on the importance of starting the most important task right after waking up?
-The speaker believes that starting the most important task right after waking up is ideal because it leverages the freshest state of mind and energy for the most impactful work.
What is the final strategy mentioned in the video for enhancing productivity?
-The final strategy mentioned is to focus solely on the task at hand when working, eliminating all distractions to maximize efficiency and quality of work.
Outlines
📚 Inverted Pyramid Method for Effortless Productivity
The video introduces a simple and intuitive productivity system that the speaker claims helped him achieve academic success. The first strategy is the 'Inverted Pyramid Method,' which suggests starting the day with the most important task and dedicating the most time to it, ideally 3 hours. The method emphasizes the importance of focusing on high-impact tasks first and then funneling down to less important tasks. The '321 system' is recommended for time allocation, but it's customizable based on personal preference. The key is to identify the most crucial tasks that align with one's goals and to prioritize them accordingly. The video also touches on the Pareto Principle, highlighting the importance of focusing on the 20% of tasks that yield 80% of the results, which leads to increased efficiency and more free time.
🏃 High-Intensity Exercise and Focus for Optimal Productivity
The second paragraph discusses the benefits of high-intensity exercise for boosting brain function, specifically the production of BDNF, a protein that supports the growth and maintenance of neurons. The video suggests that even short bursts of high-intensity exercise can significantly enhance cognitive function, making it an essential part of the productivity system. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of taking effective breaks that are not mindless but rather involve activities that reset the mind, such as exercise followed by meditation. The final strategy presented is the importance of focus during work sessions, advocating for a distraction-free environment to maximize productivity. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to share the productivity system with others and to subscribe for more such strategies.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Productivity system
💡Inverted pyramid method
💡Pareto principle
💡Feelgood work
💡Leverage
💡Breaks
💡High-intensity exercise
💡BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor)
💡Multitasking
💡Distractions
💡Effort
Highlights
The transcript introduces a simple, intuitive, and effortless productivity system.
The system can be used even in extreme conditions like being stranded on a desert island.
The speaker used this system to get into Harvard for undergrad, Yale for medical school, and Harvard again for residency.
Strategy 1: The Inverted Pyramid Method - Start your day with the most important task and allocate the most time to it.
Spend 3 hours on the most important task, 2 hours on the second most important, and 1 hour on the third, in a 3-tiered system.
The time spent in each slot of the inverted pyramid is arbitrary, choose what works best for you.
Strategy 2: The Pareto Principle - 80% of results come from 20% of the causes.
Focus on the 20% that matters to become more efficient and have more free time.
Avoid 'Feelgood work' productivity done for the sake of productivity.
Use your brain to determine the most leveraged next step, rather than basing productivity on feelings.
Strategy 3: There are no rules for when to take breaks - listen to your brain and body.
High-intensity exercise during breaks is beneficial for your brain, increasing the production of BDNF.
Even 4 minutes of high-intensity exercise can quintuple BDNF production, enhancing brainpower.
Avoid mindless activities during breaks, like scrolling on your phone for dopamine spikes.
Strategy 4: Focus - Eliminate distractions and multitask when working to fully utilize your brain and time.
The speaker rarely studies or works with music to maintain 100% focus on the task.
This productivity system is described as the most effortless, simple, and intuitive ever.
Transcripts
there's something off-putting about most
productivity systems they are either too
complex too difficult to set up or just
too rigid to be useful get rid of all
that noise and get back to basics in
this video we'll talk about the most
simple intuitive effortless productivity
system ever made something you can use
even if you were stuck on a desert
island with nothing but some coconuts
and you don't even need the Coconuts
quite literally you need nothing but
amazingly it will still somehow work in
fact it's what I use to get into Harvard
for undergrad Yale for medical school in
Harvard again for residency and I'm
going to share it with you so you too
can get what you want here we go
strategy number one the inverted pyramid
method always start your day with the
most important thing spending the
majority of your time on this task you
give yourself an a lotted amount of time
let's say 3 hours and after you finish
or 3 hours are up whatever comes first
you funnel down spending proportionately
less and less time on the tasks that are
less and less important in a three-
tiered system you'd spend 3 hours on
your most important thing 2 hours on the
second most important thing and 1 hour
on the third most important thing that's
pretty much it it's as simple as it gets
no complicated calendar scheduling no
insane planning in advance just settle
in put on a timer for 3 hours Put on
airplane mode and get to work the hours
you spend in each slot of the inverted
pyramid is arbitrary I personally like
the 321 system because it is easy to
remember and gives me enough time for
solid work but decide what works for you
the most important part of this whole
thing is picking what goes in each of
these three slots don't put stupid stuff
here and waste your time think about
what you are trying to accomplish what
would your goal in its most finished
ultimate State look like what is the
most important thing you could achieve
in the next 3 hours in service of this
goal that if we're done would get you
80% of the way there this is the Crux of
strategy number two the Paro principle
it states that for many outcomes 80% of
results come from 20% of the causes this
is the power of Leverage and if you
consistently Focus your work on the 20%
that matters not not only will you
become more efficient you'll have more
time to do whatever you want with like
bake gingerbread cookies and save
puppies from being punched don't strive
to be perfect just make it a habit to
figure out where this magical 20% is
most people have heard about this but
inherently don't utilize this
consistently in their work and end up
focusing on the wrong things making up
for it by brute force and sheer hard
work I've seen these people in my high
school in college and even in medical
school people copying their notes five
times in a row with different colored
pencils for example to try learn a
subject I've been victim to this
mentality as well in different shapes
and forms under leveraging my efforts
and wasting precious time the funny
thing is we often don't even realize we
are doing it because we feel like we're
being productive and it's this feeling
that reinforces our inefficiency this is
what I call Feelgood work productivity
done for the sake of productivity so to
solve this stop basing your productivity
system on feelings and emotions use your
brain and step outside of yourself is
there a better way to do this what is
the most leverage next step if you're
coaching yourself what would you tell
yourself to do if you could only
accomplish one thing today what would
that one thing be when you have an
answer that's what you then do the next
most important thing and the inverted
pyramid dictates that you do this most
important thing first and the earlier
you start it in the day the better
ideally right after waking up you know
brush your teeth take your dump wipe
your butt and then just get started no
fancy scheduling reminder system no
meticulous planning just do it Nike get
started and finish the task once it is
done repeat the thought process figure
out what the next most leverage step is
and go do that your most important thing
can be obviously different dayto day but
that's the idea to focus on using your
brain to think critically about your
situation and adapt to the moment the
efficiency gain will be enormous when
you consistently leverage your efforts
for example if I want to make it on
YouTube I need to get better at
storytelling editing filming part of me
knows this is a heavy lift and
inherently I want to avoid it it's much
easier to do you know busy work browsing
Amazon to find the perfect camera lens
watching another video on YouTube to get
inspiration finding more stock footage
Clips like this one to intersperse
between my talking head shot maybe hire
another Editor to do special effects
like this yeah probably not very high
yield right now or worth my time right
now the highest yield effort would be
simply to get in front of the camera to
turn it on try and give you something of
value and hit upload everything else is
secondary just because I didn't spend 3
hours trying to find the cutest puppy in
the world to be inserted right here
won't realistically make or break this
video strategy number three there are no
rules to when you take breaks just how
you take breaks listen to your brain and
body if you cannot concentrate stop
wasting your time trying to push through
and just take a break if that means once
an hour then great if that's twice every
10 minutes that's fine my only ask of
you is this when you take a break don't
let it be a Mindless Endeavor where you
jump to your phone and scroll like a
scavenger hungrily looking for spikes of
dopamine to distract yourself yourself
with so what should you do on your break
then high-intensity exercise exercise is
good not only for your muscles and your
heart but also for your brain exercise
ramps up the production of bdnf brain
derived neurotrophic factor a kind of
Miracle Grow that supercharges your
brain creating and maturing new brain
cells in synaptic connections perfect
for learning growing and thinking think
of high intensity exercise as a way to
literally upgrade your operating system
and reset your mind for the next set of
meaning productive work the fact that so
little people do this despite the
mountain of evidence growing in support
of this is mindboggling no pun intended
but don't worry if nobody else is doing
this this is soon going to become your
Competitive Edge a study in the Journal
of physiology shows that even just 4
minutes of high-intensity exercises can
quintuple the production of bdnf that's
five times the brain power the study
used stationary cycling but
realistically it doesn't matter do
jumping jacks planks burpees push-ups
bin on your head just do something that
elevates your heart rate pushes you to
sweat and leaves you winded and then
take a few minutes to catch your breath
meditate to calm down and get back to
work the last strategy in the system is
the most simple of them all I almost
hesitate to put it here but for
completion sake here it is simply focus
when you decide to work work get rid of
all distractions don't multitask don't
answer text messages don't have Netflix
on in the background I rarely study or
work with music because I want 100% of
my brain to be focused on producing my
best work we only have so much bandwidth
why would I sacrifice even 10% of this
precious resource and have it be
distracted by something I've handicapped
myself with that's just stupid Focus
your brain energy and fully utilize your
time to get what you want and that's it
folks the most effortless simple
intuitive productivity system ever if
this was helpful to you at all be sure
to tell your friends your grandma and
your pet hamster and then tell them to
subscribe and follow for more strategies
just like this one until next time smell
you later
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