12 Hacks to Be 99.9% More Productive That Cost Nothing

Summary

The speaker shares 12 productivity hacks that helped him achieve success despite having ADHD. These include increasing cycle time, creating a 'stop doing' list, creating urgency, committing to others, scheduling time to recharge, waking up early, eating the frog (tackling the most important task first), following your energy flow, creating a reason to avoid procrastination, offering rewards for goals, honoring your schedule, and turning off phone notifications.

Takeaways

• 🔑 Increase your cycle time by learning shortcuts and increasing the speed of your mouse to become more efficient.
• 🎧 Listen to audio playbacks at faster speeds and take typing classes to improve productivity.
• 🛑 Create a 'stop doing' list to eliminate activities that don't add value and focus on your strengths.
• ⏰ Create urgency by setting earlier deadlines and using techniques like the Pomodoro Timer to stay focused.
• 🤝 Commit to others by involving them in your projects to increase accountability and collaboration.
• 🔄 Schedule time to recharge to maintain a balance between work and rest, promoting long-term productivity.
• 🌅 Wake up early to gain an advantage over others and start your day with a clear mind and high energy.
• 🐸 Eat the frog first by tackling the most important and challenging task at the beginning of your day.
• 🌊 Follow your energy flow by scheduling tasks according to when you have the most energy for that type of work.
• 💪 Create something to run away from, such as a consequence for not achieving a goal, to motivate action.
• 🥕 Use the carrot on a stick approach by setting rewards for achieving goals to double your motivation.
• 📅 Honor your schedule by planning and sticking to your calendar to manage time effectively.
• 📵 Turn off all notifications on your phone to eliminate distractions and maintain focus on important tasks.

Q & A

What is the first productivity hack mentioned in the script?

The first productivity hack is to increase your cycle time by getting faster at the tasks you perform. This includes using hotkeys, increasing mouse speed, and learning to type efficiently.

How does the speaker suggest improving learning through audio playbacks?

The speaker suggests listening to audio playbacks at faster speeds, such as 1.5x or 2x, to improve learning efficiency.

What is an advanced strategy for increasing productivity mentioned in the script?

An advanced strategy for increasing productivity is to use automation with AI tools like Zapier to create workflows that can process and automate tasks, reducing manual effort.

What is the concept of the 'stop doing list' and how does it relate to productivity?

The 'stop doing list' is a concept where one identifies activities that are time-consuming and not productive, and then commits to stopping those activities. This allows for more focus on tasks that drive results and enhances overall productivity.

How does the speaker use the principle of creating urgency to boost productivity?

The speaker creates urgency by setting earlier deadlines for tasks and using techniques like the Pomodoro Timer to focus and complete work in set time intervals, which helps overcome procrastination and ADHD.

What is the significance of committing to others in the context of productivity?

Committing to others is significant for productivity because it creates a sense of accountability, ensuring that tasks are completed to meet the expectations of others, which can be more motivating than working alone.

Why is scheduling time to recharge important according to the script?

Scheduling time to recharge is important because it allows for mental and physical recovery, preventing burnout, and enabling creativity and growth. It's about maintaining a balance between work and rest for sustained productivity.

What is the benefit of waking up early as discussed in the script?

Waking up early allows individuals to connect to an energy that few experience, providing quiet time for deep work and creativity without distractions, which can set the tone for a productive day.

How does the 'Eat that Frog' strategy contribute to productivity?

The 'Eat that Frog' strategy contributes to productivity by encouraging individuals to tackle the most important and challenging tasks first, which can build momentum and make the rest of the day easier and more productive.

What does the speaker mean by 'following your energy flow'?

Following your energy flow means aligning tasks and activities with the natural shifts in your energy levels throughout the day. This involves scheduling tasks that require different types of energy at the times when you are most capable of performing them effectively.

How can creating something to run away from increase productivity?

Creating something to run away from can increase productivity by leveraging the human tendency to avoid pain. By setting high stakes or consequences for not achieving a goal, individuals can motivate themselves to work harder to avoid the negative outcome.

What role does scheduling play in productivity according to the speaker?

Scheduling plays a crucial role in productivity as it helps individuals plan their time effectively, prioritize tasks, and create a life by design rather than by default. Honoring the scheduled time for tasks ensures that important activities are completed.

Why is it recommended to turn off all notifications on your phone to improve productivity?

Turning off all notifications on your phone helps improve productivity by reducing distractions and allowing individuals to focus deeply on their work without being interrupted by constant alerts from apps and messages.