"Become a SpeedDemon 1" by Jonathan Levi Flashcards
What are two key principles that adults need to understand and commit to before effectively learning anything?
First, it’s important to understand why they are learning the given skill or subject. Second, they need to understand the practical application of their knowledge, that is, how they are actually going to use this knowledge.
How should you decide on which tasks to focus on?
Prioritize tasks that you’re good at and that are an effective use of your time. If a task, like fixing your own car, takes an unnecessarily long time and the result isn’t ideal, consider outsourcing it instead.
What is the importance of proper preparation?
Exemplified by Abraham Lincoln’s quote: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I’ll spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Applying this means doing all necessary prep work before starting a task, such as gathering all necessary materials or information. This strategy reduces interruptions, maintains focus, and saves time.
What is the SMART method for setting goals and priorities?
The SMART method stands for Specific, Measurable, Ambitious/Assignable/Actionable, Realistic, and Time-related. It emphasizes the importance of setting clear, well-defined goals that are achievable, tied to a deadline, and able to be measured for progress.
How can setting SMART goals increase productivity?
SMART goals guide you in investing your efforts effectively and avoiding distractions. For example, if you have a SMART goal to respond to all of your work emails before lunch, it becomes harder to procrastinate with non-productive tasks.
What strategies can be used to manage smaller tasks and priorities?
Writing down and creating accurate to-do lists can help manage smaller tasks. Utilizing task management software or apps that allow you to set deadlines can be effective. Tools like Taco app consolidate tasks from different sources into a single interface, helping prioritize tasks across various areas
What is the Priority Star exercise?
The Priority Star exercise is a method of prioritizing tasks in which you arrange five interrelated tasks in a pentagonal shape and then evaluate which tasks are dependent on others. The one with the most dependencies becomes the highest priority.
How are tasks prioritized in the Priority Star exercise?
Tasks are prioritized based on the number of other tasks they influence or enable. The task with the highest number of originating arrows (indicating its influence on other tasks) becomes the highest priority.
Why is it important to set priorities in task management according to the lecture?
Setting priorities is important as it allows us to focus on the tasks that contribute the most to our overall objectives. It helps us avoid losing focus or going off-task trying to understand what we need to be doing next.
What are the benefits of the Priority Star exercise, as discussed in the lecture?
The Priority Star exercise offers a visual way to see the interrelation of tasks and their influence on each other. It can aid in the identification of critical tasks and the order in which they should be executed for project success.
What is Parkinson’s Law?
Parkinson’s Law is the idea that work expands to fill the time allotted for it. When we believe we have all the time in the world, work tends to drag on and expands, leading to unnecessary detailing and triple checking.
How can one implement Parkinson’s Law to increase productivity?
By setting artificial deadlines or creating real-life constraints (like appointments or meetings) that cannot be moved, one can harness the psychological force of Parkinson’s Law. These real or perceived deadlines often lead to increased productivity and efficiency, as we naturally prioritize and synthesize what’s important to complete within the given timeframe.
How does the author suggest using Parkinson’s Law to enhance productivity?
The author suggests setting real-life constraints, such as scheduling appointments or meetings, that can’t be easily moved. This approach forces one to work more efficiently to meet the deadline. In essence, one should take a task that should take twice as long and try to fit it into a smaller block of time. This technique often results in surprising productivity boosts.
What is the difference between being efficient and being effective?
Efficiency refers to performing a task well and in a timely manner. However, effectiveness relates to the value and impact of the task being performed. Therefore, one can be highly efficient at a meaningless task (like ironing socks) but not be effective in the broader goal (like doing laundry).
What is the Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule?
Named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, the Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule, suggests that, in many situations, approximately 80% of effects come from 20% of the causes. For example, 80% of your business revenue might come from 20% of your customers, or 80% of a language conversation can be made up of 20% of the words.
What is the “Minimum Effective Dose” in the context of the Pareto Principle?
The “Minimum Effective Dose” is a concept popularized by Tim Ferriss, referring to the smallest amount of effort needed to achieve the desired outcome or effect. It aligns with the Pareto Principle in that it’s about identifying the 20% of effort that will lead to 80% of the desired results. It is about understanding what tasks or elements will contribute the most to the end goal.
How does multitasking affect productivity and work quality?
Multitasking often decreases productivity and work quality. When switching between tasks, there’s a period of confusion and disorientation before you can re-focus, which can take up to 15 minutes for high-functioning tasks. Every micro-shift made during multitasking costs productivity, potentially decreasing the quality of work and increasing the time required to complete tasks.
What happens when you get interrupted in the middle of a focused task?
Interruptions during a focused task can cause a disorienting period as you try to switch back to the original task. This “switching cost” might seem short, but for complex tasks, it could take up to 15 minutes to regain the optimal performance state.
What is the recommended approach to maintain focus and improve productivity?
To maintain focus and improve productivity, you should aim to eliminate distractions and concentrate on one task at a time. If distractions are unavoidable, deal with them fully before returning to your primary task. Regular practice of meditation can also help improve focus and productivity.
How can meditation improve productivity?
Meditation helps train the brain to focus on one thing at a time and reduces the tendency to get distracted. This increased focus can improve productivity, as seen by many successful individuals across various fields who attribute their success partly to their meditation practice.
What is the benefit of batching similar tasks and how can it be implemented?
Batching similar tasks allows us to divide the set-up and recovery time across more items, increasing overall efficiency. It also reduces the mental cost of switching tasks. For instance, answering emails at specific times twice a day or running multiple errands in one trip are ways to batch tasks. The goal is to look for and find opportunities in your daily routine where tasks can be grouped together for optimal efficiency.
What is the concept of “mutually productive activities” based on the Buddhist Wheel of Life?
Mutually productive activities are those that simultaneously improve two or more areas of life, as represented by the eight sections on the Buddhist Wheel of Life. The goal is to maximize productivity by linking activities that benefit or enhance more than one life category simultaneously, resulting in more balanced personal development.
Can you provide examples of mutually productive activities and explain how they are beneficial?
Learning to speak Russian by travelling to Russia helps improve personal growth and adds to Fun and Adventure. Similarly, exercising while learning or reading improves physical health and cognitive function. Another example can be watching movies in a language you’re trying to learn during your downtime, which helps improve language skills while also offering relaxation. These activities are beneficial because they help to improve different areas of life simultaneously, utilizing the “good kind” of multitasking.
What are the eight sections of the Buddhist Wheel of Life?
The Buddhist Wheel of Life is a representation of different aspects of life which contribute to overall personal satisfaction and success. While there may be some variations in interpretation, the eight sections often include: Personal Growth, Health, Relationships, Family and Friends, Finance, Career, Leisure and Recreation, and Fun and Adventure.
What are the main benefits of the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique provides benefits like setting artificial deadlines, breaking tasks into manageable chunks, and encouraging regular planning and estimation. Additionally, taking planned breaks helps refresh the mind, allows for different perspectives on tasks, and enables subconscious processing, which can often lead to breakthroughs in problem-solving.
When should you skip breaks in the Pomodoro Technique?
If you find yourself in a highly focused state or “in the zone,” it is recommended to skip breaks and continue working to make the most of this highly productive state. After this state subsides, you can resume the regular break schedule.
How can you make better use of periods of waiting or downtime in your day?
You can make better use of periods of waiting or downtime by planning and preparing to do small tasks during these moments. Creating a list of tasks that can be completed in five to ten minute chunks, such as reviewing flashcards, making a phone call, or stretching, can turn these usually unproductive moments into valuable productivity time.
What are some examples of tasks that can be done during short periods of downtime?
Examples of tasks that can be done during short periods of downtime include reviewing language flashcards, calling a friend or family member, stretching muscles (if socially appropriate), and watching a short lecture from an online course.
What is the ‘Flow State’ and why is it important for productivity?
The ‘Flow State’, often referred to as being “in the zone”, is a mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. This state of hyper-focus is essential for productivity because it’s likely that a significant portion of important work is done during periods of being in this state.
What are the seven conditions for achieving the ‘Flow State’ as per recent research?
The seven conditions for achieving the ‘Flow State’ are:
1. Knowing what to do. 2. Knowing how to do it. 3. Knowing how well you're doing. 4. Knowing where to go if navigation is involved. 5. High perceived challenges. 6. High perceived skills. 7. Freedom from distractions.
