Time is precious.
You don’t have enough time to do everything in the world. Spend your time on the things that matter.
Time is perishable, irreversible, and irreplaceable – once passed it cannot be recovered. You can not save it or turn the clock back. Take care of it. It is valuable, expensive and priceless. Choose wisely what you do with it.
No one can manage time, but simple tweaks to the way you do things can make a huge difference in your life and work.
Bestselling author, entrepreneur, and angel investor Tim Ferris states ‘Not-to-do’ lists are often more effective than to-do lists for upgrading performance. In his not-to-do list, Ferris states:
1. Do not answer calls from unrecognized phone numbers
2. Do not e-mail first thing in the morning or last thing at night
3. Do not agree to meetings or calls with no clear agenda or end-time
4. Do not let people ramble
5. Do not carry a cell phone 24/7
6. Do not work more to fix overwhelm — prioritize
7. Do not check e-mail constantly — “batch” and check at set times only
8. Do not over-communicate with low-profit, high-maintenance customers
9. Do not expect work to fill a void that non-work relationships and activities should
Web designer and author Paul Jarvis shares a great list of personal choices that have allowed him to complete his work more efficiently and effectively. A few highlights:
Unsubscribe from newsletters that don’t compel you to read them immediately.
Use one program at a time.
Turn off notifications while working.
Take a break when you’re frustrated.
Follow fewer people on social media.
Limit the amount of media consumed throughout the day.
Work at your peak time.
AppSumo founder (and employee #30 at Facebook and #4 at Mint) Noah Kagan states, “Do 3 essential tasks every day.”
To stay productive, he creates a list of all his tasks in a text file and focuses on getting 3 of the most important ones done every day. You can get a lot done with a single-minded focus. We often need to do phone calls and fulfill other interruptive or urgent tasks, but everyone can benefit from windows of non-stimulation.
Ruthless prioritization can help you free up your time and energy. It’s also important to know which activities should not be optimized, such as spending time with loved ones, laughing until his stomach hurts, and walking in the woods.
To maximize your productivity, shift from being reactionary to proactive.
Leave a Reply