Operating Principles

Question 1

Systems, Habits, and Schedules&raquo_space;> Goals

Answer 1

Establish systems and create habits rather than goals. __Power question:__ How can you systematize this in terms of sustainable habits and schedules?

Question 2

The 1% Rule

Answer 2

Make a schedule of incremental tasks, habits, or improvements and stick to it. The compounding effect of minor, daily improvements is magic. Change slowly but consistently. Double down on what works, avoid leakage/time losses, measure backward “one last week, two this week”. __Power question:__ What are the 1% activities, the 1% leakages, and where can they be made routine or removed?

Question 3

Grow Sustainably

Answer 3

Don’t fight natural growth rates. The optimum growth rate over the long-term is rarely the fastest over the short-term.

Question 4

Environment is Overpowering

Answer 4

You’ll break yourself against an overpowering environment. Choose or create one that favors you and succes. Automate good decisions (e.g. small plates), create habits and routines on the path of least resistance, and remove negative influences. __Power question:__ What can you do to make the environment more supportive?

Question 5

Stack Habits

Answer 5

Use habits that are already established in your routine as anchors for new habits you want to develop. The basic formula for habit stacking is: “After [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT].” __Power question:__ What existing habits can I stack new, desired habits upon?

Question 6

Avoid Drag

Answer 6

Remove goals, activities, and habits which don’t move you towards your vision. __Power question:__ What things, habits, or environmental factors which, if not addressed, may prevent me from achieving my vision?

Question 7

Busyness/Motion is not the same as Effective Action

Answer 7

Learn and act upon the difference between the two.

Question 8

Don’t Multitask

Answer 8

Use Buffett’s 2 Lists, the Ivy Lee Method, or the Eisenhower Box.

Question 9

Avoid WIP

Answer 9

It’s better to get one thing complete than have three things in play.

Question 10

Manage Energy, Not Time

Answer 10

Identify and exploit the best times of day for doing specific types of work required. __Power question:__ When is the best time of day/week to do this?

Question 11

Make the Journey the Reward

Answer 11

Fall in love with the routine, the system, the work. __Power question:__ How can I make the journey the reward, fall in love with the routine, the system, the work?

Question 12

Seek Deliberate Practice

Answer 12

Time + Focus + Feedback. __Power question:__ How can you make this a form of deliberate practice and get fast feedback i.e. a rapid feedback cycle?

Question 13

Learn Deliberately

Answer 13

Synthesize, record, reflect, and periodically review what I’ve learned.

Question 14

Action __Precedes__ Motivation

Answer 14

We procrastinate because we are afraid, uncertain or overwhelmed in terms of knowledge (“I don’t know how to do this”), because we lack confidence (“I’m not qualified/able to do this”), because we’re concerned about our standing amongst others (“What if I fail, what will other people think of me?”) or it’s just too duanting (“This is too big, where do I even start?”). Just start.

Question 15

Commit to Lifelong Learning

Answer 15

Be a lifelong learner. Don’t ever get satisfied with how much you know. Pursue developmental interests.

Question 16

Less, But Better, or Deeper

Answer 16

Do, eat, consume, create, engage, be better. But with less. __Power question:__ In what way can this be __less but better__?

Question 17

Keep It Fresh

Answer 17

Don’t let things go stale, or metastasize. Work to keep things fresh, outside of normal routine and comfort zone.

Question 18

Be Present

Answer 18

Commit to the moment, the task, the person.

Question 19

Contribute, Don’t Consume

Answer 19

Make something, do something, build something, deliver something. Ask, “What can I do for you?”

Question 20

Incentives Matter

Answer 20

[[Charlie Munger]] said “Show me the incentive, and I will show you the outcome.” #Quotes Incentives, while often obscured, are the primary driver of behavior. Understand a person or organization’s incentives and you’ll likely be able to predict their behaviors. __Power question:__ What is this person’s incentives within this engagement? What behaviors will that likely drive? How can I satisfy them while getting what I want?

Question 21

De-Atomize, Pursue Compound Movements

Answer 21

[[Nat Eliason]]’s theory of de-atomization posits that we should seek to integrate multiple objectives into single activities in a way that used to happen more often. For example, working out with a friend as both a social and exercise activity; cooking with the children as both a way to cook, teach, and spend time with family. __Power question:__ How can I integrate discrete objectives into single activities?

Question 22

What Gets Measured Gets Managed

Answer 22

Be a scientist. Measure to discover, to find out, to understand, to know yourself, to avoid excuses, to see if your life reflects your goals and values. __Power question:__ What are the key leading metrics that indicate material progress?

Question 23

Know where you want to go

Answer 23

Clarity of purpose is everything. Live an important life, not an urgent one. Nothing worth working for will ever seem urgent. __Power question:__ Are you working on what’s important, or just urgent?

Question 24

Focus on Leading Success Metrics

Answer 24

For any objective, identify and focus on the leading metrics that portends success. __Power questions:__ What are the leading metrics of success for this objective? And how are they measured?