This simple productivity system got me into Harvard and Yale

Summary

This 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

00:00

📚 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.

05:01

🏃 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.

Keywords

💡Productivity system

A productivity system is a set of methods or strategies designed to help individuals manage their time and tasks more effectively. In the video, the speaker discusses a simple, intuitive, and effortless productivity system that can be used even in the most basic conditions, such as being stranded on a desert island. The system is meant to eliminate complexity and rigidity, focusing on essential tasks to achieve goals.

💡Inverted pyramid method

The inverted pyramid method is a time management strategy where the most important task is tackled first, dedicating the most time to it. The speaker uses a 3-hour block for the most important task, 2 hours for the second, and 1 hour for the third, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing tasks based on their significance. This method is central to the productivity system discussed in the video.

💡Pareto principle

The Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, states that 80% of results come from 20% of the causes. In the context of the video, the speaker advises focusing on the 20% of tasks that yield the most significant outcomes, thereby increasing efficiency and freeing up time for other activities. This principle is crucial for leveraging efforts effectively.

💡Feelgood work

Feelgood work refers to tasks that give a sense of productivity but may not necessarily contribute to achieving the ultimate goal. The speaker warns against this type of work, which can be a trap of false productivity. Instead, the focus should be on tasks that have a high leverage effect on achieving goals, as discussed in the video.

💡Leverage

Leverage in the video refers to the strategic use of effort to achieve maximum results. The speaker emphasizes the importance of identifying and focusing on the tasks that have the highest impact on achieving goals, rather than spreading effort evenly across all tasks. This concept is key to the productivity system presented.

💡Breaks

Breaks are periods of rest or relaxation taken during work to prevent burnout and maintain focus. The speaker suggests that breaks should be taken when concentration wanes, but they should be active, such as through high-intensity exercise, rather than passive activities like scrolling on a phone. This approach is meant to reset the mind for more productive work.

💡High-intensity exercise

High-intensity exercise is a form of physical activity that elevates the heart rate and requires significant effort. The speaker recommends this type of exercise during breaks because it increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which enhances brain function and aids in learning and thinking. This exercise is seen as a way to upgrade the brain's operating system.

💡BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor)

BDNF is a protein that supports the growth and survival of neurons in the brain. In the video, the speaker highlights the role of high-intensity exercise in increasing BDNF production, which in turn boosts brain function. This is used as an example of how physical activity can enhance cognitive performance.

💡Multitasking

Multitasking is the act of attempting to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. The speaker advises against multitasking, arguing that it reduces focus and efficiency. Instead, the recommendation is to concentrate fully on one task at a time, maximizing the quality of work and productivity.

💡Distractions

Distractions are anything that diverts attention away from the task at hand. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of eliminating distractions, such as text messages or background noise, to maintain full focus on the current task. This approach is part of the productivity system's strategy for achieving the best results.

💡Effort

Effort in the video refers to the energy and time invested in tasks. The speaker discusses the importance of leveraging effort by focusing on high-impact tasks, rather than spreading effort across all tasks. This strategic approach is meant to maximize productivity and achieve goals more efficiently.

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