7 Simple Habits that Made Me Successful

Summary

In this motivating video, Faye, a final year medical student, shares seven productive habits that transformed her from a rejected medical applicant to a thriving individual. She discusses the importance of brain dumps for mental clarity, debunks multitasking myths, emphasizes the benefits of exercise for cognitive function, and suggests starting tasks with the easiest first. Faye also highlights the power of routines, unified organization systems, and aligning tasks with natural hormonal cycles to maximize productivity in 2023.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Faye, a final year medical student in the UK, shares her journey from a medical reject to a successful student and offers seven productive habits for a fulfilling life.
• 📝 The importance of a 'brain dump' is highlighted as a method to offload mental tasks onto paper, reducing stress and enhancing productivity.
• 🚫 The myth of multitasking is debunked; focusing on one task at a time is more effective for achieving a 'flow state' and true productivity.
• 🏋️ Exercise is recommended for at least 20 minutes to improve concentration and cognitive function due to increased blood flow to the brain.
• 🥦 Eating your vegetables first, or tackling the hardest task first, is a strategy that Faye found less effective; starting with easier tasks can build momentum for more challenging ones.
• 🧠 Having a routine, despite the initial resistance from an ADHD perspective, is crucial for leaving mental energy for creativity and goal achievement.
• 📚 Consolidating all aspects of life into one organizational system, like Notion, is suggested for efficiency and ease of skill transfer between different areas of life.
• 🌞 Understanding and leveraging natural hormonal cycles can significantly impact productivity, with men benefiting from morning tasks and women from planning around their menstrual cycle.
• 🔄 The video emphasizes the need to revisit and revise habits and strategies, as Faye's views on studying have evolved to favor longer, focused sessions over short bursts.
• 🤝 Faye invites viewers to share their proudest moments from the past year and their goals for the upcoming year, fostering a sense of community and accountability.
• 📈 The overarching theme is the transformation of one's life through the implementation of these habits, with the promise of looking back on the year as the best one yet.

Q & A

What were the challenges Faye faced before developing her productive habits?

Faye was a four-time medical reject who felt unaccomplished, embarrassed, ashamed, and unfulfilled. She struggled with poor body image and disordered eating.

What is the significance of the 'brain dump' in Faye's morning routine?

The 'brain dump' is a crucial part of Faye's routine that helps her offload everything from her mind onto paper, preventing mental exhaustion and allowing her to focus on primary goals.

Why does Faye emphasize that multitasking is not productive according to neurobiologists?

Neurobiologists suggest that humans can only focus on one task at a time, and the perceived productivity from multitasking is a facade that actually hinders the achievement of a 'Flow State'.

What is the 'Flow State' and how does it relate to productivity?

The 'Flow State' is a mental state where a person is fully immersed in an activity, feeling energized focus and enjoyment. It is beneficial for productivity as it allows for deep engagement in tasks without the distractions of multitasking.

What is the concept of 'ikigai' or 'raison d'être' in Japanese and French, and how does it influence one's motivation?

Ikigai or raison d'être refers to having a reason to get up every morning, which can prevent feelings of depression and aimlessness. It doesn't have to be profound but should provide a sense of purpose.

Why does Faye recommend starting with the easiest task first when tackling a to-do list?

Starting with the easiest task provides an initial sense of achievement that can energize and motivate one to tackle more challenging tasks, reducing the time spent procrastinating on the most daunting tasks.

How does having a routine contribute to creativity and productivity according to Faye?

A routine frees up mental energy that would otherwise be spent on mundane decisions like choosing what to wear or eat. This energy can then be directed towards more creative and goal-oriented tasks.

What is the benefit of using a single system to organize all aspects of one's life, as suggested by Faye?

Using a single system, like Notion, to organize all aspects of life can increase efficiency by eliminating the energy spent switching between different systems and allows for the transfer of skills learned in one area to another.

How does Faye suggest using one's body as a productivity tool?

Faye suggests understanding and utilizing the natural hormonal cycles of one's body to schedule tasks that require more or less mental effort, thereby optimizing productivity.

What is the main takeaway from Faye's video regarding the use of exercise as a productivity tool?

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, enhancing concentration and productivity. It should be viewed not just as a means of burning calories but as a beneficial habit for cognitive function.

How does Faye plan to engage with her audience regarding their goals for 2023?

Faye invites her audience to share their proudest moments from the previous year and their goals for 2023, creating a sense of community and accountability.