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How a “Do Nothing” Day Changed My Life
Our schedules are filled to the brim
When we look at our calendar, we often notice that every hour is filled with something - almost as if we don't like being left alone with ourselves with nothing to do.
But our inner lives are in great need of attention. It takes the absence of an agenda to really learn about ourselves. It takes quiet and time.
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10
Key Ideas
Make planning a habit
Some mornings we feel motivated to create a to-do list, but that is often the exception. We need to get things done, even when we feel disengaged.
Start by setting ...
Align your to-do list with goals
- Break down your big goals into daily tasks. You can't add "Get in shape" to your daily to-do list, but you can add "spend 30 minutes on my bike."
- Consider your week as a whole. You likely have multiple goals. Some goals benefit from daily activity, while working towards others a few times a week can create momentum.
- Add your have-to-do tasks last. We often fill our to-do lists with have-to-do tasks that crowd the whole day. Adding it last forces you to fit your have-to-do tasks around your goal tasks.
Have one daily priority
Many of us start our mornings with dozens of things we need to get done, but later realize that we haven't crossed any of them off our lists. We did get stuff done, but none of the things we planned.
A balm against hectic days that pass without progress is to choose a single activity to prioritize and protect in your calendar. If you struggle to select your top priority, ask yourself, when you look back on your day, what do you want the highlight to be? That's your priority.
7
Key Ideas
Scheduling styles
- The Overscheduler: Their days are determined from the moment they wake up to their evening routine.
Scheduling your day
A good daily schedule is a blueprint for a successful life.
Knowing what we’re doing and when empowers us with a sense of purpose, meaning, and focus.
Your most important work
The most successful people consistently get their most important work done first.
Build recurring time for your most important work in the morning, before you start anything else. Your energy levels are naturally higher in the morning, but completing a meaningful task first thing has also a domino effect that pushes you through the day.
7
Key Ideas
One hour of writing
Writing for an hour a day can improve your personal and professional life.
A lot can be accomplished by a focused hour of creation time, in which you are not disturbed. Deep creativity tasks,...
Increment progress matters
We tend to underestimate incremental progress. Successful people have a willingness to set micro goals and focus on the process instead of the end goal. It is natural for many to miss this as they cannot see the immediate progress.
Writing helps mental health
Writing daily can help in improving our mental health.
- It lowers anxiety
- It makes us feel present for that time
- A good habit that we enjoy makes us look forward to it
- It heals our painful experiences by making us see them objectively.