Thread
Forget willpower. What you need are systems.
9 proven ways to sustain productivity and crush your goals:
9 proven ways to sustain productivity and crush your goals:
The two biggest crises of the 21st Century are called distractions and choice overload.
But you're not powerless against them.
You see, the right resources and mental models will help you work smarter, not harder.
Here are 9 that will change the way you work and focus:
But you're not powerless against them.
You see, the right resources and mental models will help you work smarter, not harder.
Here are 9 that will change the way you work and focus:
1. Distribute the cognitive load
The human brain repels effort.
When something seems like hard work, the mind looks for shortcuts.
But if it can't find them— procrastination follows.
A useful aid for thinking clearly & reducing exertion is whiteboarding.
My favorite tool...
The human brain repels effort.
When something seems like hard work, the mind looks for shortcuts.
But if it can't find them— procrastination follows.
A useful aid for thinking clearly & reducing exertion is whiteboarding.
My favorite tool...
ClickUp
Whiteboards are efficient tools to create mind maps— a science-backed technique that enhances problem-solving.
The best part...
@clickup lets you create tasks directly from your whiteboards.
Going from idea to execution is a breeze.👇
clickup.com/features/whiteboards
Whiteboards are efficient tools to create mind maps— a science-backed technique that enhances problem-solving.
The best part...
@clickup lets you create tasks directly from your whiteboards.
Going from idea to execution is a breeze.👇
clickup.com/features/whiteboards
@clickup 2. Minimize regret
Jeff Bezos centers decisions on one vital question:
At the end of my life, will I regret not having done this?
If the answer is No, it's not worth it.
If the answer is Yes, he goes all in.
This mental model forces you to apply second-order thinking.
Jeff Bezos centers decisions on one vital question:
At the end of my life, will I regret not having done this?
If the answer is No, it's not worth it.
If the answer is Yes, he goes all in.
This mental model forces you to apply second-order thinking.
@clickup By projecting yourself in the future, the amplifying lens of consequences helps to shape a different perspective.
Like in the movie Sliding Doors, these overlapping parallel scenarios conceive a deeper sense of purpose.
And a powerful Why keeps you on the road to success.
Like in the movie Sliding Doors, these overlapping parallel scenarios conceive a deeper sense of purpose.
And a powerful Why keeps you on the road to success.
@clickup 3. Apply Newton's Law
An object in motion stays in motion; an object at rest stays at rest.
The same principle relates to creativity.
An active mind stays active: an idle mind stays idle.
One of the distinct traits of our operating system is how malleable it is.
An object in motion stays in motion; an object at rest stays at rest.
The same principle relates to creativity.
An active mind stays active: an idle mind stays idle.
One of the distinct traits of our operating system is how malleable it is.
@clickup Every time the brain processes new information— neurons fire, and new pathways form.
This is called neuroplasticity.
Simply put, you can optimize performance by rewiring your brain with the right inputs.
Always be learning...
This is called neuroplasticity.
Simply put, you can optimize performance by rewiring your brain with the right inputs.
Always be learning...
@clickup 4. Establish conceptual milestones
Open loops work wonders in copywriting, but when it comes to tasks— they hamper efficiency.
Human beings are not designed for multitasking. It's a myth.
According to Harvard Business Review...
Multitaskers do less and perform worse.
Open loops work wonders in copywriting, but when it comes to tasks— they hamper efficiency.
Human beings are not designed for multitasking. It's a myth.
According to Harvard Business Review...
Multitaskers do less and perform worse.
@clickup It takes the brain approx. 15 minutes to re-orient from one chore to another.
Truth is...
Cognitive deviation:
• blocks flow
• hinders creative thinking
• reduces short-term memory
Without focus, there's no learning.
Stick to 1 task— efficiency will increase up to 40%.
Truth is...
Cognitive deviation:
• blocks flow
• hinders creative thinking
• reduces short-term memory
Without focus, there's no learning.
Stick to 1 task— efficiency will increase up to 40%.
@clickup 5. Assess diminishing returns
The law of diminishing returns is a theory in economics that predicts that when you reach your optimal level, adding another factor will result in smaller increases.
When the effort doesn't match the output— it's time to take a break.
The law of diminishing returns is a theory in economics that predicts that when you reach your optimal level, adding another factor will result in smaller increases.
When the effort doesn't match the output— it's time to take a break.
@clickup 6. Control de peripherals
Creativity thrives without rules & limits...
Wrong.
Constraints rather than freedom yield inventiveness & help overcome functional fixedness.
Let me explain...
The brain is programmed with millions of schemas added over time from life experiences.
Creativity thrives without rules & limits...
Wrong.
Constraints rather than freedom yield inventiveness & help overcome functional fixedness.
Let me explain...
The brain is programmed with millions of schemas added over time from life experiences.
@clickup A schema is a set of preconceived ideas that shape how you perceive and interpret new information.
The problem is they're static.
Once they're formed is hard to change them.
Why?
The confirmation bias and the mere exposure effect affect rational thinking and accuracy.
The problem is they're static.
Once they're formed is hard to change them.
Why?
The confirmation bias and the mere exposure effect affect rational thinking and accuracy.
@clickup That's why adding boundaries to your tasks fosters out-of-the-box thinking.
When you have less to work with, your focus narrows.
You learn to see the world differently.
If you think about it, almost all inventions are born out of necessity.
When you have less to work with, your focus narrows.
You learn to see the world differently.
If you think about it, almost all inventions are born out of necessity.
@clickup 7. Develop skills/challenges balance
In sports, "the zone" is a mental state of total focus which leads to optimal performance.
Athletes forget about outcomes and act without fear of what might happen— they just react with skillful reflexes.
But how do they get in the zone?
In sports, "the zone" is a mental state of total focus which leads to optimal performance.
Athletes forget about outcomes and act without fear of what might happen— they just react with skillful reflexes.
But how do they get in the zone?
@clickup There are some psychological predictors to help you reach this frame of consciousness...
Whether completing a task or making an important decision, one of them is balancing challenge & skill level.
The sweet spot is where success neither comes easily nor seems out of reach.
Whether completing a task or making an important decision, one of them is balancing challenge & skill level.
The sweet spot is where success neither comes easily nor seems out of reach.
@clickup 8. Practice inversion
Inversion is a technique for identifying roadblocks and flaws in your thinking.
It's basically reverse-thinking.
The process goes like this: list out all possible ways that might prevent you from achieving your goal, then do everything to avoid them.
Inversion is a technique for identifying roadblocks and flaws in your thinking.
It's basically reverse-thinking.
The process goes like this: list out all possible ways that might prevent you from achieving your goal, then do everything to avoid them.
@clickup 9. Keep a positive-sum circle
positive + positive = positive
Applies to math and life.
The people you spend time with shape who you are.
Proximity is power.
Your circle affects your attitudes and behaviors.
To work and think like the best, surround yourself with the best.
positive + positive = positive
Applies to math and life.
The people you spend time with shape who you are.
Proximity is power.
Your circle affects your attitudes and behaviors.
To work and think like the best, surround yourself with the best.
@clickup Productivity is key to living a better life.
But in that quest, most overexert themselves.
Then frustration comes when there's no steady pattern of improvement in sight.
But systems are about consistency.
Small steps lead to big outcomes.
But in that quest, most overexert themselves.
Then frustration comes when there's no steady pattern of improvement in sight.
But systems are about consistency.
Small steps lead to big outcomes.
@clickup TL;DR
1. Distribute the cognitive load
2. Minimize regret
3. Apply Newton's Law
4. Establish conceptual milestones
5. Assess diminishing returns
6. Control the peripherals
7. Develop skills/challenges balance
8. Practice inversion
9. Keep a positive-sum circle
1. Distribute the cognitive load
2. Minimize regret
3. Apply Newton's Law
4. Establish conceptual milestones
5. Assess diminishing returns
6. Control the peripherals
7. Develop skills/challenges balance
8. Practice inversion
9. Keep a positive-sum circle
Glad you made it!
Thanks for sticking with me.
If you enjoyed this thread:
1) RT the first tweet to help others find it (linked below 👇)
2) Follow me: @DanesaGlez
I write about marketing, copywriting, and creativity.
Thanks for sticking with me.
If you enjoyed this thread:
1) RT the first tweet to help others find it (linked below 👇)
2) Follow me: @DanesaGlez
I write about marketing, copywriting, and creativity.
