1. The rule of 3
Why?
We tend to want to complete too many things in a day, so we start creating long task lists that causes us more stress, so we lose focus and we become unproductive. If we follow this technique we can use it as a reminder of the meaningful things we need to complete.
How?
- Write down 3 things you want to achieve today
- The 3 things should not be tasks but goals/outcomes. For example, complete writing one chapter of a book instead of writing research material, analyse content and write chapter.
2. Deep Work
Why?
When we have many things to complete in a day the brain is using extra energy as he needs to shift from one task to the other. However, if you only work on one activity for longer period of time without distraction, you are able to achieve a lot more because it is easier to concentrate in one thing than many things
How?
- Select an outcome you want to achieve
- Block every distraction you might have ie phone notifications, facebook, instagram, meetings etc. and concentrate only on the outcome you want to achieve.
- Work on this outcome for an extended period of time till you reach flow. In that state time does not exist and you are fully immersed on what you are doing
Buy audiobook
https://amzn.to/3OU6MEw
Buy Hardcover
https://amzn.to/3OP0SoB
3. Time blocking
Why?
When you block your time for a particular task it creates focus as you have limited time to complete this task. Parkinson’s law states that we expand the time to complete the task based on the time we have given. So if a task takes 1 hours and we say we are going to complete it in 2 hours most of the times we will see that it takes more than 1 hour to complete the task, just because the intention is there.
How?
- Select the activities you want to complete
- Set a time for each activity ie (breakfast 30 minutes, meditation 1 hour, emails 15 minutes etc.)
- When the time finishes you move to the next activity as per plan, unless you think that with a little bit of extra time you will be able to complete the activity
Buy Book on Parkinson’s law
https://amzn.to/3NxtiBO
Buy audiobook on Time blocking
https://amzn.to/3a6W3HY
Buy book on Time blocking Kindle
https://amzn.to/3I7yoUu
Buy book on Time blocking Paperback
https://amzn.to/3I4kbaK
4. The 2 minute rule
Why?
Normally if we have a smaller list of tasks it is easier to manage and complete than having a large list of tasks. Also, when you complete any task you feel better.
How?
- Produce a task list you want to complete today
- If there are any tasks that take less than 2 minutes to complete do them now
Buy audiobook Getting Things Done
https://amzn.to/3QYBMEW
Buy paperback book Getting Things Done
https://amzn.to/3R1wDfm
5. The Eisenhower Principle
Why?
We often try to complete tasks that have the shortest deadline but by doing that we might never complete important tasks. Also, at the end of the day if we have not completed any important tasks we feel that the day did not have any meaning.
How?
- Create a task list for today
- Identify the tasks that are important
- Complete at least 1 task that is important.
Buy Paperback book Eat That Frog
https://amzn.to/3ugKSn0
