Inspir.es

Since my graduation last fall I’ve undertaken what I might consider a graduate program in productivity. I have read all the information I could get my hands on regarding the topic.

It began with Lifehacker, which at last count was the 6th most popular blog on the web. They led me to the teachings of David Allen and Getting Things Done (or GTD, as they call it in the cult). I also read Timothy Ferriss’s excellent book The 4-Hour Workweek, began following the teachings of Zen Habits and Zen to Done, learned how Marc Andreessen accomplishes everything he does (including founding Netscape, Opsware and Ning) and learned from Tynan that I’m not alone in my quest.

I have implemented a great deal of what I’ve learned.

From Lifehacker - I learned how to be more productive with my email. I now have a place for every email and I never have emails in my inbox waiting to be acted upon. It’s a beautiful feeling. Lifehacker also called my attention to some tools that have made my life simpler. FolderShare ensures that I have all of my work documents on my desktop and my laptop (and safely backed up too). Google Browser Sync matches up my bookmarks and saved passwords. Darkroom allows me to write in serene, distraction free bliss (and for Mac owners, there’s the original Writeroom). And just recently, RescueTime has allowed me to track my computer usage habits and see where I’m spending my time. I may post some screenshots in a few days once I get some data in there (I’m fairly certain it will be embarrassing, however).

From David Allen I learned the fine art of filing. This sounds silly and superfluous, but I used to be in a constant battle with paper. I’d get a bill or a note and I would use various piles, folders or Trapper Keepers to organize it. Now, I have a simple filing system and an inbox and outbox. David Allen also taught me ubiquitous capture. In other words, he taught me to carry around a Moleskin notebook and a pen so I can write down a thought anytime it comes to me.

From Timothy Ferriss I learned what it takes to get rid of information glut. He inspired me to throw out the T.V. Unfortunately, I fail to follow his excellent email policy of checking only twice a day, at 11am and 4pm, and my RSS feed has grown to about 30 subscriptions (or about 100 posts a day).

I’ve gotten to the point in my higher education in productivity where I feel like every major impediment to accomplishment has been removed. I know, I know, there is always room for improvement, but I believe the major roadblocks have been cast aside and the path cleared for productivity. To continue the crappy analogy, I’ve been given my diploma - I just don’t have a job yet. Wait, that’s not an analogy…

So have I improved? Do I get more done?

Honestly, the answer is a resounding “Not yet!” And the only thing left to do is simply deciding my most important tasks and setting out to accomplish them.

I’ve taken way too long setting up my new business - what has taken a month should have taken two weeks. I’ve dragged my feet on reading books; I’ve been halfway through You Shall Know Our Velocity for probably 3 months (although I have read one or two other books on the side). My running schedule has picked up lately, although I should have trained a lot more in January. When I begin my marathon training in March I’m going to be in sorry shape.

I’m ready to reveal that I have developed the latest innovation in productivity to help me get over the hump and it comes from me and me alone. It’s a nuanced strategy for accomplishing things and I’ve researched, tested and retested every angle. Here it is:

Just fucking do it.

Yes, apologies to all the puritans and/or relatives who read Youth and Young Manhood, but I think the most important concept in my quest for accomplishment is “just fucking do it.”

So today I’m going to take the day off. Truly take it off and not try to accomplish anything work or personal related. Monday will be the first day of my new plan:

Just fucking do it.

I’ll report back with results.