Time efficiency
I’ve experimented with various techniques over the years to build good habits. Given I’m nowhere near perfection, let’s say not all methods worked well—the reviews are mixed. I’ve since then discovered the power of habit-streaks. It’s no wonder I’m a fan. I reckon you should be too. Hear me out… Allow me to brag I … Read more
Sometimes I wish I could lay down on the couch and read. For a few years. It’s no secret I like to read. I used to be able to read anything and everything. And I’d usually persist to the end regardless of whether I liked the book or not—sunk cost fallacy in action. Sunk costs … Read more
Motivation alone is not enough. If you have an idiot and motivate him, you have a motivated idiot – Jim Rohn Motivation alone is not enough. You need concrete action items to turn vision into reality. Use this 4-step guide to fine tune your motivations. Closet stories Raise your hand if any of this relates … Read more
If I had a magic wand, I’d make people read more. Since I’m no sorcerer, I’d settle for their listening to Audiobooks instead. We landed on the moon Picture this iconic scene from the movie Dumb and Dumber: Jim Carrey’s character Lloyd, not a well-read man (to put it mildly) notices a framed picture of the Apollo … Read more
Your to-do list should provide you comfort instead of filling you with dread. Find out some key list do’s and don’ts whether Apps or manual lists work well. This is the final part in the Time Management lessons / Productivity Hacks series. We created a Master list in Part 1, categorized the list in Part 2, pruned … Read more
Having a great to-do list is only useful if you can make progress by checking off items on your list. Here are 11 rules on how to schedule tasks on your list. The whole point of making a to-do list is to let you focus on task-doing rather than task-planning. The former gets you results … Read more
This is Part 3 in the Time Management lessons / Productivity Hacks series. Part 1 discussed the importance that Lists play in Time Management and how to get started with the Master List. In Part 2, we discussed how to analyze the list by asking the question ‘What kinds of tasks are on the Master … Read more
Part 1 of this series emphasized the importance of Lists in the planning process and how to build a ‘Master list’. In this post, I’ll try to explain how to break this list down into categories to ultimately determine ‘What tasks belong on your to-do list’. There are 4 simple, yet profound questions that you … Read more
Task lists, Action lists, Gratitude lists, To-do lists, To don’t lists – this list is endless (pun intended). Regardless of whether you love or loathe Lists, the power of lists in helping you achieve goals in life cannot be overstated. In jest, I have made some not-so-complimentary references to how lists rule my life, in … Read more
This is the first post in my new ‘Productivity Hacks Series – Things I wish someone had told me a decade ago’. Hindsight is 20-20. There are many things I wish my younger self knew. For instance, I wish someone had told me about the myths and truths about Multitasking. “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live … Read more
In Part 1, we discussed how to identify our timewasting kryptonite(s) using time logs. I know I suggested starting small. The longer you keep time logs, though, you’ll get a truer and more realistic picture of how you spend your time. Using just a one-week sample may not be truly indicative of your patterns. Also, … Read more
I have an exercise for you. This will take about 5-10 minutes. When you’re ready, take a piece of paper and create a 2-column table like the one below. On the left mark, 2-hour of chunks of time. Your exercise is to fill in activities you did during those times on a weekday this past … Read more