Principles

Time and energy are the most confused topics when it comes to personal productivity. We often hear someone say "I don't have time to go to the gym" or "I don't have time to read books". Very often it's not an issue of time, but rather of energy.

Time management and Energy management are two different disciplines. Understanding the difference helps you recognize when you actually have the time but lack the energy, and vice versa. This awareness is the first step to becoming more productive.

Our tendency to choose immediate gratification over long-term fulfillment is called the "suck hole." Essentially, it's the idea that we are often more focused on taking care of our basic needs and wants in the present moment rather than considering the bigger picture.

This tendency can affect our personal development and prevent us from working towards more meaningful goals. Recognizing when you're being pulled into the suck hole is the first step to resisting it.

Our brains have the capacity to remember and think. Yet, the brain can often get overloaded with too much "stuff". When our brain is overloaded, we don't feel so good.

One of the best ways to help clear 'brain overload' is to follow a ritual called a "Brain Dump". Write down everything that's on your mind - tasks, ideas, worries, and plans. This frees up mental space and helps you see what truly needs your attention.

Once we create a habit of planning, we usually become good at it. The process of planning actually brings us a lot of joy because we enter a state of looking into the future and being hopeful.

Sometimes we can get carried away and spend too much time planning. That's why it's good to follow the 90/10 rule: spend 10% of your time planning and 90% executing. Don't let planning become a form of procrastination.

When we take time to plan our day, week or month, be clear about the items that you put on your to-do list. A common mistake is confusing a Project with a Task.

A task is a single action that can be completed in one sitting. A project is a collection of tasks that work toward a larger goal. When you plan your day, focus on tasks, not projects. Break down projects into actionable tasks.

If you don't block time for your projects, then someone else will block your time for their projects. The same 24 hours are available for all of us each day.

"Block time" is about setting aside specific blocks of time for focused work on your priorities. Protect these blocks from interruptions and treat them as appointments with yourself that cannot be canceled.

Rituals and habits play a big role in feeling successful in almost every area of life. A ritual is a set of actions done regularly, often in a specific order, with a specific purpose.

Habits are behaviors repeated so frequently that they become automatic. Both rituals and habits help reduce decision fatigue and ensure you consistently make progress on what matters most.

There are 2 general ways to approach events and projects in life: REACTIVE or PROACTIVE. Being proactive means taking initiative and taking control of our lives.

Being reactive means simply responding to external events and circumstances. While we can't control everything, shifting from reactive to proactive thinking helps us shape our lives rather than just letting life happen to us.

Affirmations are positive statements that you repeat to yourself - either by saying them, writing them or listening to them. Actually, you already have affirmations in your mind.

The question is whether your existing mental affirmations are helping or hurting you. By consciously choosing positive affirmations, you can reprogram your mindset and support your goals.

King Solomon said "Iron sharpens iron. So man sharpens man." What this means is that we need other people to help us be successful in life.

There is a limit to what we can achieve on our own. Accountability partners can help us stay productive by providing support, encouragement, and honest feedback when we need it most.

Momentum is an important element of personal productivity that is easy to overlook. When you have "momentum" you have a sense of forward progress and energy.

This energy helps you keep moving forward and achieving your goals. When you have momentum, it's easier to stay motivated and focused. Start small to build momentum, then use that energy to tackle bigger challenges.