Things That I Do That Adults Probably Don't Do

Summary

This video shares unconventional habits that boost productivity and well-being, focusing on small daily actions that break the monotony of normal adult routines. The speaker discusses quirky strategies like brushing teeth with the wrong hand, eliminating notifications, staring at the sky, and creating systems for better focus. Through these 'weird' behaviors, they’ve improved their energy, focus, and overall efficiency without relying on traditional discipline. The core message is to embrace what’s unconventional for a more intentional, effective life, showing that stepping away from normal can lead to greater results with less stress.

Takeaways

• 😀 Brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand helps build new brain connections and improves focus.
• 😀 Turning off notifications and checking messages in batches helps you avoid task-switching and increases productivity.
• 😀 Staring at the sky for 10 minutes each morning resets your internal clock and improves sleep quality.
• 😀 Following a 'sleep algorithm' (no caffeine, food, or screens before bed) ensures better rest and reduces grogginess.
• 😀 Taking a fake commute (a walk before starting work) signals to your brain that it's time to focus and be productive.
• 😀 Sitting on the floor to answer emails creates a physical and psychological distinction between real work and less important tasks.
• 😀 Approaching problems with an 'alien' mindset—without assumptions—can help you find new, creative solutions.
• 😀 Asking yourself, 'What would guarantee this fails?' helps you avoid mistakes and plan around potential pitfalls.
• 😀 The domino system of habit-building—attaching new habits to existing ones—makes it easier to form lasting changes.
• 😀 Designing your environment to make good habits easy and bad habits hard (e.g., leaving books on your pillow) works better than relying on willpower.

Q & A

Why does the author brush their teeth with their left hand?

The author brushes their teeth with their left hand to intentionally challenge their brain and build new neural connections. By doing tasks in an unfamiliar way, it prevents the brain from running on autopilot, which may help improve focus and cognitive function.

What is the '40% tax' mentioned in the script?

The '40% tax' refers to the concept that when you switch tasks, you lose approximately 40% of your focus. This is because your brain continues to process the previous task, making it harder to concentrate on the new one. The author mentions turning off notifications and batching tasks to reduce this cognitive cost.

How did staring at the sky help the author improve their sleep and focus?

The author began staring at the sky every morning to help reset their internal clock. Exposure to natural sunlight in the first hour of waking signals the body to adjust its sleep-wake cycle. Over time, this practice improved the author's energy levels, sleep quality, and morning alertness.

What is the 'sleep algorithm' the author follows?

The author follows a specific set of rules before bed, referred to as the 'sleep algorithm.' It includes no caffeine 10 hours before bed, no food or alcohol three hours before, no work two hours before, no screens one hour before, and avoiding the snooze button. This routine helps improve sleep quality and eliminate grogginess in the morning.

What is the purpose of the 'fake commute' the author practices?

The 'fake commute' is a 10-minute walk around the block before starting work. It helps the author mentally transition from personal to work mode, creating a boundary between home life and professional responsibilities, which improves focus and productivity when working from home.

Why does the author sit on the floor to answer emails?

The author sits on the floor to answer emails as a way to create a physical and psychological distinction between different types of work. The floor is less comfortable, signaling to the brain that email is a lower-priority task compared to more important work done at the desk.

What is the 'alien method' and how does it help problem-solving?

The 'alien method' involves pretending to be an alien who has no preconceived notions about how things should work. By questioning the norms and looking at problems from an outsider’s perspective, the author finds new and innovative solutions that are often overlooked by others.

How does the author plan around failure?

The author now plans around potential failure by asking themselves, 'What would guarantee this fails?' This mindset allows them to identify and avoid the key factors that could lead to failure, rather than focusing solely on success, which often lacks specific clarity.

What is the 'domino system' for building habits?

The 'domino system' involves attaching new habits to existing ones, making it easier to establish routines without relying on motivation. For example, after pouring coffee, the author writes one sentence, or after brushing teeth, they do five push-ups. This method eliminates the need for willpower and uses existing habits as triggers.

How does the author use strategic laziness to enhance productivity?

The author uses 'strategic laziness' by designing their environment to make positive actions effortless and negative ones more difficult. For example, gym clothes are laid out the night before, junk food is avoided, and social media apps are buried. This setup minimizes the need for self-control and creates an environment that supports the desired behaviors.