How to ACTUALLY be Productive (even if you lack discipline)

Summary

• Productivity is about getting more output in less time.
• I went from $0 at 22 to $100M net worth at 28 by mastering productivity.
• Productivity can be hacked through elimination of unnecessary tasks and people.
• Know what kind of worker you are: maker, manager, or hybrid.
• Makers need uninterrupted time to create and should avoid scheduling meetings during peak productive hours.
• Managers focus on meetings, training, and decision-making, requiring a different schedule.
• Hybrids mix both types of work and should theme their days to balance tasks.
• When managers and makers need to work together, set specific meeting hours to respect everyone’s productivity.
• Designate internal meeting hours, like 12-4 p.m., to ensure makers get focused work time.
• Block out maker time on your calendar visibly to prevent interruptions.
• Schedule meetings from late afternoon upwards to maximize morning productivity.
• Commit to having specific days for manager work and maker work, like Mondays for managers and Wednesdays for makers.
• Communicate clearly about your working style and schedule to prevent disruptions.
• Use Mondays for planning and prioritizing to save hours during the week.
• Always look forward and back to ensure you complete all necessary tasks.
• Force rank priorities to ensure the most important work gets done.
• Schedule buffer time for unexpected tasks to avoid overcommitting.
• Color code your calendar to visually manage tasks and maintain productivity.
• Makers should concentrate all meetings on one day a week to keep their schedule clear for focused work.
• Hybrids should theme their days and possibly split them into maker and manager chunks.
• Adequate communication of priorities and work schedules prevents misunderstandings and interruptions.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest implementing a few key strategies to improve productivity, especially if you're a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or someone focused on personal growth.

Identify Your Work Type:
First, figure out if you're a maker, manager, or hybrid. Makers need uninterrupted time for creative work; managers focus on meetings and decisions, while hybrids do both. Knowing this helps you design a productive schedule.

Create a Suitable Schedule:
If you’re a maker, block off large chunks of time for focused work and avoid scheduling meetings during these periods. Schedule any necessary meetings in the afternoons or on one specific day of the week to keep your mornings and other days free. For managers, condense meetings into specific blocks, leaving buffer time for urgent tasks.

Theme Your Days:
If you’re a hybrid, dedicate specific days to maker tasks and other days to manager tasks. For instance, use Mondays for meetings and Wednesdays for focused work. This separation helps maintain focus and reduces context switching, which can be very disruptive.

Set Internal Meeting Hours:
A good way of doing this is to establish internal meeting hours, like from 12-4 p.m. This way, your mornings are free for concentrated work, and everyone knows the best time to schedule meetings.

Communicate Your Schedule:
Clearly communicate your working style and your schedule with your team or anyone you collaborate with. Use shared calendars and block out your maker time visibly. This helps prevent interruptions and ensures that everyone respects your time.

Plan Ahead:
Spend time every Monday morning planning your week. Look forward to upcoming tasks and back to what was incomplete from the previous week. This helps prioritize and schedule your time effectively.

Eliminate Unnecessary Tasks and People:
Focus on eliminating tasks and interactions that don’t drive your main objectives forward. This isn't being rude; it's about being productive and ensuring your time is spent on what truly matters.

Color Code Your Calendar:
Use color coding to differentiate between types of tasks. This visual cue helps manage your time effectively and keeps you motivated. Green for completed tasks and red for unfinished ones can give a clear quick view of your productivity.

These strategies are low-cost and high-value, making them easy to implement but highly effective in boosting your productivity. By maintaining a clear and consistent schedule and communicating your work style, you can optimize your output and make sure you're always moving towards your goals.

Quotes

"Productivity is the amount of output relative to input"

– Leila Hormozi

"Getting yourself to do something when you don't feel like doing it is a skill in itself"

– Leila Hormozi

"The best way to hack your way to productivity is through elimination"

– Leila Hormozi

"Controlling your environment is immensely easier than trying to constantly control yourself"

– Leila Hormozi

"With preparation a man of few advantages can give himself the largest one"

– Leila Hormozi