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The Little Handbook for Getting Stuff Done : zen habits

https://zenhabits.net/gsd/

zenhabits.net

The Little Handbook for Getting Stuff Done : zen habits
While I don't think that productivity and efficiency is the answer to life, nor should it be your only focus ... there are still a ton of benefits from Getting Stuff Done. A ton.

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Key Ideas

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Obstacles to Getting Stuff Done

  • The habit of putting off starting, because it’s uncomfortable.
  • Maybe you get started, but then constantly switch to other tasks.
  • You put off starting (or finishing) because con...

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Picking one important thing

If you focus on getting the small stuff done but not the big stuff, or switch between tasks all the time, you’ll be less effective.

Pick one important thing to focus on at a time and ...

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Starting

It's best done by focusing on the smallest first step and practicing just launching into that.

Pick the tiniest first step, and launch into it.

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Focus sessions

Pick a short interval (10 minutes, 15, 20, or 25) and practice focusing on one task during that session, until the timer goes off. 

Then take a break, and try another focus session.

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Managing a tasks list

It's a great skill for keeping yourself focused and Getting Stuff Done. Choose a to-do program, put your tasks in the to-do list and every day just pick a few to focus on.

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Shitty first draft

Don't worry about perfectionism, just get the task done. Then go back and revise. 

But don’t overthink it, just focus on doing.

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Taking full responsibility

It means not blaming others for your difficulties in getting things done. 

Recognizing the obstacles but taking responsibility for finding a way, or accepting what needs to b...

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Communicating

Communicate clearly and honestly, so that everyone is clear on responsibilities and boundaries and consequences of not honoring those responsibilities and boundaries.

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Creating structure

Having a minimal structure is good. You can adjust over time:

How will you start your day so that you’ll work on the important stuff? How will you do your focus sessions so you won’t be to...

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SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:

A Masterclass in Getting Stuff Done, Straight from the Experts - Ambition & Balance

A Masterclass in Getting Stuff Done, Straight from the Experts - Ambition & Balance

https://doist.com/blog/masterclass-in-getting-stuff-done/#

doist.com

When our Editor pitched me on writing a piece narrowing down productivity advice essentials, I was excited. Inspired by a NYT piece doing the same with financial advice , it would be a chance to discover secrets from productivity experts on time management and focus.

6

Key Ideas

Productivity is simplicity

True productivity is putting the right things on your to-do list, exclusively answering emails that matter, and only taking meetings that will propel you forwards. 

It’s less about “how” and more about “what”. When you’re focused on unimportant objectives, you feel painfully stuck. It’s like trudging along on a treadmill; sure, you’re running, but you’re not actually getting anywhere. On the contrary, when you’ve had a deeply productive day, you’ll know it.

Helping others

Givers, those who are other-focused, paying more attention to what people need from them, dominate the top of the success ladder.

Productivity shouldn’t only be the pursuit of self-improvement, but also a mission to improve the lives and the work of people we encounter.

Prioritize the work that excites you

Minimize the things you dread and meetings you don't want to attend as much as possible: say “no”, delegate, and automate.

This leaves you to make room on your calendar for discussions that exhilarate you.

When what you spend your time on is congruent with your interests and values, progress feels conveniently close.

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Essential Meaningful Productivity : zen habits

Essential Meaningful Productivity : zen habits

https://zenhabits.net/essential-meaningful/

zenhabits.net

3

Key Ideas

Moving Away From Pseudo-Work

Moving Away From Pseudo-Work

Pseudo-work is when one works just for the sake of work, and is productive on paper but hasn’t really achieved anything substantial, or contributed to one’s core objective.

We all have a certain idea of what we want to attain for ourselves. In order to achieve it, we need to move towards essential, meaningful and productive work.

Focusing on Meaningful Work

  • When the focus is on the essential, we start to work on what matters to us the most. It makes us avoid the urgent work shoved in our faces which may not be important at all.
  • Focusing on meaningful work helps us prioritize our day in the order that aligns with our purpose and mission. It makes us less stressed out and more joyful.
  • Productive work, which is challenging and even discomforting is welcomed as it is important and meaningful to our lives. The distractions then no longer disturb us as we are giving the work our entire focus.

Keys To Essential Meaningful Productivity

  1. Be clear on what matters to you, and focus on that.
  2. A lack of structure makes the entire day random and accidental. It is good to have a certain structure for all your tasks while keeping it flexible.
  3. Remind yourself the reason for it being important to you, and then give it your heart and soul. Keep yourself in a playful, relaxed mode.
  4. Move towards any fear you encounter, and not away from it. It may be a small obstacle but our psychological fears make us feel discomfort or groundlessness.
  5. Batch out small errands into specific, time-bound activities, leaving time for more important things.