7 Habits that Save Me 3+ Hours a Day

Ali Abdaal
10 Mar 202311:27

Summary

TLDRThe video outlines seven daily habits that save a total of three hours per day. These include capturing tasks instead of mentally tracking them, planning each day's most important task, color-coding a calendar to eliminate gaps, using a '5-minute rule' to beat procrastination, banning solo TV watching, using an alarm clock instead of a phone, and enabling focus modes on phones. The speaker argues these habits boost productivity and intentionality by reducing distraction and wasted time.

Takeaways

  • 😊 The most valuable thing we have is time, so it's important to save time wherever possible
  • 📝 Capture things you need to do instead of trying to remember them all
  • 🚀 Identify the most important task to accomplish each day
  • 🌈 Fill your calendar to avoid unintentionally wasting time
  • ⌛️ Use the 5 minute rule to overcome procrastination
  • 🔋 Sponsor provides a healthy, affordable meal option
  • 📵 Use focus modes and keep phone face down to avoid distractions
  • ⏰ Use an alarm clock instead of phone to avoid wasting time in bed
  • 📺 Don't watch TV alone as a rule to save over an hour a day
  • 💡 Try cutting out TV for a month to see if you actually miss it

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic is 7 habits that save the narrator around 3 hours per day.

  • What is the 'capture habit' and how does it save time?

    -The capture habit involves writing down any thoughts or to-dos as they come up instead of trying to remember them later. This saves mental energy and avoids wasting time trying to recall what you forgot.

  • What is the purpose of identifying a 'daily adventure'?

    -It encourages focusing on the most important task of the day. It also makes completing tasks more enjoyable by approaching them with more energy and an adventurous mindset.

  • How does the 'rainbow calendar' save time?

    -Scheduling out your whole day avoids wasting time on unintentional activities during gaps in your calendar. It encourages living more intentionally.

  • What is the '5 minute rule'?

    -If you're procrastinating, it says to just work for 5 minutes, since starting is the hardest part. It also says that 5 minutes of progress is better than nothing.

  • How does not watching TV alone save time?

    -Watching TV alone can easily lead to 1-4 wasted hours per day. Removing this habit frees up time for more fulfilling activities.

  • What app helps reduce phone distractions?

    -The 'OneSec' app makes you pause before using distracting apps. It encourages switching to more intentional apps instead.

  • Why use a separate alarm clock?

    -Phone alarms make it too easy to snooze, cancel alarms, and scroll on your phone in bed, wasting 30-60+ minutes.

  • What are some benefits realized from these habits?

    -Benefits include improved productivity, intentionality, mental clarity and energy. More fulfillment, progress towards goals.

  • Which habit seems most useful or hardest to adopt?

    -Answers may vary. The rainbow calendar seems very useful but also time-consuming. No TV could be hard since it's a common default activity.

Outlines

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Mindmap

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Keywords

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Highlights

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Transcripts

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