It is important to keep essential knowledge at hand so you can use it immediately when needed. This means training your brain to recognize and remember important information, allowing you to respond faster and better in different situations. This process helps you become less dependent on external tools because you already know a lot yourself.

An important part of this is actively engaging with information. This means not just reading or hearing information, but also working with it by discussing it, trying it out, and applying it in different situations. This helps you remember the information better. It is an ongoing process of learning and repetition, training your brain to recognize patterns and automatically come up with solutions. This way, you can act quickly without first having to search for information.

While digital tools can be handy, it is important to first make the most of your own brain. This means investing time and effort in truly understanding the information you encounter. By filling your brain with knowledge and actively using it, you build a strong foundation that allows you to respond quickly and effectively to new challenges and situations.

Related:

• Any personal effectiveness system that helps to get tasks out of your mind is Getting Things Done
• A Zettelkasten is an intelligent conversation with my past thoughts
• Reserve quality time for reading; only with full attention can you make the shift from ‘reading for information’ to ‘reading for knowledge’
• Rephrasing a text helps me to better understand what the author means
• Eufriction

Zoom prioritises refresh rate over resolution for camera streams, so presentations shared over a virtual camera are not as crisp as screen sharing.

David Allen, the creator of GTD, says there is no standard way to use his method. Although his books and workshops provide a lot of explanations, it is important for everyone to create their own system that suits their needs and preferences. The goal of GTD is to get tasks and responsibilities out of your head, so you have space for creative and productive thinking. This works best when the system you use fits you well and feels easy.

Adapting your GTD system means trying out what works for you. This may mean setting reminders for things that interest you or developing habits that help you feel better. The most important thing is that GTD is not about strictly following rules, but about creating a system that helps you clear your mind. Whether you use an app or a paper notebook, it’s about finding a way that helps you stay organized and focused.

Related:

• Any personal effectiveness system that helps to get tasks out of your mind is Getting Things Done
• Do the right thing, in the right way, and at the right moment
• Our (productivity) issues are not new. Read the great masters and find answers to current issues

It may sound surprising, but research shows that while people without stress are less likely to have chronic illnesses and often feel better, they also perform worse on tests that measure memory and cognitive flexibility. It seems that a little stress can help keep our brains sharp. Stress acts as a kind of training for the brain, allowing us to use our cognitive skills better and more efficiently.

This does not mean that we should always be stressed to think well. It’s about finding the right balance. A little stress can help us be more productive and think better, but too much stress can lead to negative feelings and be bad for our health. People with stress also give and receive emotional support more often, which can lead to a richer social life. Therefore, it is important to find a level of stress that keeps us alert without harming our health.

Related

• Decision fatigue only affects people who believe that willpower runs out quickly
• Cold showers

Our productivity problems, such as information overload from emails and chat messages, may seem like a modern issue, but they are not new. As early as 1916, similar problems were discussed, showing that this has been an ongoing issue. Often, this is due to poor management of information and communication. Great thinkers have long ago devised solutions for these issues. By looking at their ideas, we can learn how to better handle our current problems.

Thinkers from the past, such as Aristotle and Seneca, and later figures like Peter Drucker, have written extensively about working efficiently, managing time well, and how we easily get distracted. They often emphasize the importance of focusing, setting priorities, and managing time effectively. These ideas are still useful and can help us better handle the constant stream of notifications and information. By following their advice, we can become more productive and find a better balance between work and leisure.

It is important to learn from the past and apply the wisdom of these thinkers to our modern work. This means not only studying their strategies but also adapting them to how we work today. By listening to these experts and learning from their insights, we can find ways to work more effectively and with greater satisfaction, despite the challenges of today’s technology.

Related:

• Do the right thing, in the right way, and at the right moment
• Your own implementation is the correct way of doing GTD

Try to get four hours of concentrated work into a workday, and never more than six.

Related:

• Before you start (a task, a work session, a project…), set a time budget
• A 5-minute unstructured break is enough to regain your focus
• Do the right thing, in the right way, and at the right moment
• Schedule two hours every day for important work that doesn’t need to be completed immediately; this helps you become happier and more productive
• Do things that makes you happy everyday, since happy workers are 12% more productive
• Intention
• Frog eating
• Work cycle
• Open-plan office
• Hard work

The right words can change reality.

Related: Self-talk, Motivation, Think

It is good to spend some time planning your day, tidying up your inbox, and setting goals. This helps you clearly see what you need to do and how to approach it. But be careful not to lose too much time on these preparations. Overplanning can lead to procrastination and spending more time thinking than doing.

Finding the right balance between planning and doing is important for your productivity. It can be tempting to plan everything in detail, but often it’s better to quickly make a list of your most important tasks and start right away. You usually already know what is important to you; it’s about writing down these priorities and then taking action. By getting started immediately, you prevent getting stuck in endless preparations and can use your energy to achieve real results.

Related:

• Before you start (a task, a work session, a project…), set a time budget
• Do not set SMART goals
• Do the right thing, in the right way, and at the right moment
• Professionals spend about 60% of their time on work about work
• Modern work is unconfined work
• Take the time before doing something you can’t undo
• Before you start (a task, a work session, a project…), set a time budget
• Start with as little as possible and add complexity as you go
• Monthly map
• Work cycle
• Eufriction
• Time buckets

When defining a habit, routine, or project, it is important to assess the potential future maintenance costs associated with the complexity of the supporting systems.

Related:

• Our go-to approach for problem-solving is to incorporate something new, rather than eliminate something existing
• Take the time before doing something you can’t undo
• Messy work environments have no effect on either creativity or executive functions
• Start with as little as possible and add complexity as you go

Interruptions aren’t intrinsically distinct from other events, they’re just events most professionals don’t want around. The distinction is in our head.

Related:

• Before you start (a task, a work session, a project…), set a time budget
• Avoid excessive task switching to increase efficiency
• Do the right thing, in the right way, and at the right moment
• Environment
• Self-talk
• Less mobile

Don’t take past events for granted. Imagine the consequences of positive life events not occurring to improve your affective state.

Related:

• Take the time to think about, dream of, and look forward to future activities
• Self-talk

The idea is to start with something simple that works and then, if necessary, add more complex elements. This is similar to minimalism, where you try to avoid unnecessary complications. By starting with a simple system, you can better see what works well and what doesn’t, and you can make improvements step by step without disrupting the foundation.

In systems thinking, it is often said that successful complex systems usually evolve from simple systems that already worked well. This means that designing a complex system from scratch often causes problems and inefficiencies. It is smarter to start with a simple system that works and gradually expand it. This way, you can identify and improve weak spots without the risk of everything collapsing.

It is important not to overcomplicate and to avoid unnecessary organization when applying this principle. Often, it is better to just start and add extra elements later. This prevents you from getting stuck in planning and organizing, and gives you the flexibility to respond to changes and new ideas. By starting small and slowly adding more, you build a strong and flexible system that can grow and adapt to future needs.

Related:

• Make reversible decisions as quickly as possible
• Professionals spend about 60% of their time on work about work
• Start with a simpler version of the task to boost your confidence; then move on to a more challenging one
• Spend a little attention on planning and organizing your tasks, but not more than necessary; then, get to work
• Systems maintenance

People with ADHD are often motivated by activities that captivate them, stimulate creativity, ignite competition, or provide a sense of completion. This is because traditional external motivators, such as rewards and punishments, are often less effective for people with ADHD. Their minds tend towards intrinsic motivation, where the activity itself must be attractive and stimulating to hold their attention. Actions that captivate, such as exciting or new tasks, can pique their interest and help them stay focused.

Creative activities provide another source of motivation for people with ADHD. The process of creating, whether it be art, writing, or coming up with new ideas, can help channel their thoughts and use their energy in a productive way. Creativity provides an outlet for their often overactive mind and can give them a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Competition and completing tasks are also powerful motivators.

Competitive situations, whether it be sports, games, or work-related challenges, can hold the attention of people with ADHD through the excitement and desire to win. Similarly, completing tasks, no matter how small, can give a sense of achievement and satisfaction, motivating them to continue and set new goals. These intrinsic motivators help people with ADHD stay focused and productive, despite their tendency towards a wandering mind.

Related:

• Take regular ‘thinking walks’ to change your brain to enhance thinking, creativity and memory
• Messy work environments have no effect on either creativity or executive functions
• Motivation
• Scatterfocus

It is important to determine in advance when you want to stop a task, work session or project. This helps you stay focused and efficient. By setting a clear stop moment, you prevent yourself from overworking. If you know in advance when you want to stop, you can plan and prioritize better. This leads to more productivity and less stress. In addition, you prevent yourself from taking on too much work, which often happens when people are too optimistic about what they can do in a certain amount of time.

An important part of this approach is using time as a way to measure attention. Attention is limited and difficult to measure, but time is easy to measure. By using time as a benchmark, you can organize your work better. This idea is in line with Parkinson’s law, which states that work takes up the time available for it. By setting a clear end time, you force yourself to work more efficiently and prevent tasks from taking longer than necessary. This also helps to reduce indecision, as you spend less time constantly re-planning and prioritizing.

Finally, by scheduling a stop moment, you can better deal with interruptions and unexpected events. This helps you find a balance between work and rest, which is important for long-term productivity and well-being. It is a simple but effective way to organize your work day and ensure that you achieve your goals without overworking yourself.

Related:

• Avoid excessive task switching to increase efficiency
• Link the desired behavior to a clear signal
• Schedule two hours every day for important work that doesn’t need to be completed immediately; this helps you become happier and more productive
• Spend a little attention on planning and organizing your tasks, but not more than necessary; then, get to work
• Spend a little attention on planning and organizing your tasks, but not more than necessary; then, get to work
• Work cycle
• Interruptions
• Time to flow
• Less mobile
• Attention residue

Convince yourself that the effort part is the good part, and you’ll start generating Dopamine and learn to enjoy the process.

Related:

• People with a wandering mind (ADHD) are motivated by actions that captivate, create, compete, or complete
• There is no evidence of any effects of growth mindset interventions on academic achievement
• Link the desired behavior to a clear signal
• Start with a simpler version of the task to boost your confidence; then move on to a more challenging one
• Do things that makes you happy everyday, since happy workers are 12% more productive
• Cold showers
• Self-talk
• Word choice

Research shows that regularly practicing mindfulness meditation can lead to a smaller amygdala. This part of the brain is important because a smaller amygdala often means you have less stress and can concentrate better. When the amygdala is less active, we are less easily distracted by things around us or by our own thoughts.

Furthermore, studies indicate that mindfulness meditation not only changes the size of the amygdala but also how it interacts with other parts of the brain. This means that the amygdala communicates differently with, for example, the prefrontal cortex. These changes help us manage our emotions better and concentrate more effectively. As a result, people procrastinate less often because they can focus their attention better on what they need to do.

The great thing about mindfulness meditation is that you don’t need much time or effort to experience these benefits. Research shows that even a short, intensive period of mindfulness, such as a three-day retreat, can cause lasting changes in the brain. This means that mindfulness meditation is an easy and effective way to improve your mental clarity and focus. It is therefore a valuable practice for anyone struggling with concentration and procrastination.

Related:

• Take regular ‘thinking walks’ to change your brain to enhance thinking, creativity and memory
• Even a single guided meditation of ten minutes can help you concentrate better
• Frog eating
• Scatterfocus

Research has shown that higher CO2 levels in office environments are associated with decreased performance on cognitive tests, such as the Stroop test, and an increase in reaction times for attention disorders. This suggests that a well-ventilated work environment is not only important for health, but also for maintaining mental sharpness and productivity.

A productive work environment requires more than just a well-designed space; air quality plays an equally important role. Poor air quality, caused by high concentrations of CO2 and particles, can lead to decreased concentration and cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is essential that workspaces are well-ventilated to keep the air clean and optimize mental performance.

Related:

• Take regular ‘thinking walks’ to change your brain to enhance thinking, creativity and memory
• Environment

Research by Hershfield and colleagues, based on data from 35,000 people, shows that a lack of free time leads to increased stress and lower subjective well-being. This is not surprising, as too little time for relaxation and personal activities can result in a feeling of exhaustion and dissatisfaction. However, the research also reveals that too much free time is not always better. From about five hours of free time per day, well-being starts to decline again, unless this time is filled with social activities.

Free time is essential for rest and recovery, but an excess can lead to a sense of purposelessness. This is because a large part of our free time is often consumed by distractions such as mobile phones and social media, which can ultimately feel like wasted time. It is important to find a balance where free time is not only sufficient for relaxation, but also spent meaningfully. This can be achieved, for example, by engaging in activities that promote personal growth or stimulate social interactions.

Related:

• Working outside of normal working hours can undermine intrinsic motivation, as it prompts people to reflect on how they could have spent their day better if they had not worked
• Take the time to think about, dream of, and look forward to future activities
• The expectation that you check email outside of working hours can lead to health problems, relationship issues, and anxiety
• A four-day workweek improves employee well-being without reducing productivity
• Hard work

Regular thinking walks can have a significant positive impact on your brain, thinking, creativity and memory. Research shows that walking, especially in the morning, not only increases your energy level, but also improves your creativity and problem-solving ability. An experiment conducted by Oppezzo at Stanford University showed that students who walked before taking a creativity test scored 60 percent higher on creativity scores than those who sat. This suggests that physical activity such as walking stimulates the brain and promotes new ideas and solutions.

In addition, walking in nature offers additional benefits. The Attention Restoration Theory suggests that natural environments can restore your attention and refresh your mind, contributing to improved memory and concentration. The lower temperatures and fresh air in the morning can also have a invigorating effect, promoting your mental clarity and discipline throughout the day. While walking in the city also offers benefits, the peace and beauty of nature can add an extra dimension of relaxation and inspiration. It is important to experiment with different environments and activities, such as listening to music or podcasts, to discover what works best for your personal productivity and well-being.

Related:

• Clean air boosts your mental power
• People with a wandering mind (ADHD) are motivated by actions that captivate, create, compete, or complete
• A 5-minute unstructured break is enough to regain your focus
• Mindfulness meditation reduces the size of your amygdala, making you less prone to distractions and procrastination
• Environment
• Think

In our modern world, we often receive a lot of information that is easy to understand but doesn’t really help us gain deeper knowledge. It’s tempting to view reading as something passive, like watching TV or YouTube videos, especially when we’re tired. But to truly benefit from the information, it’s important to consciously set aside time where we can fully concentrate on reading. This means avoiding distractions and focusing on understanding the text.

Quality time for reading means not only reading the words but also actively thinking about what they mean. This can be aided by taking notes, which enhances our attention and focus. By taking notes, we force ourselves to rephrase and better understand the text in our own words. This helps us remember and apply the information in different situations.

It’s important to find the right moments for this kind of reading. Instead of reading when we’re tired, it’s better to choose times when we are alert and open to new information. This might mean scheduling specific times for deep reading, away from hustle and distractions. By valuing these moments, we can improve our reading and move from superficial information processing to building valuable knowledge.

Related:

• Rephrasing a text helps me to better understand what the author means
• A Zettelkasten is an intelligent conversation with my past thoughts
• When helping someone, give that person enough information and boost their confidence by showing how that information can help others
• Keep essential information in your mind so you can access it quickly without having to look it up
• Fleeting notes
• Think
• Eufriction

Irreversible decisions, also known as “one-way doors,” require careful and thoughtful consideration. It is important to thoroughly assess the situation and seek advice if necessary before making a decision that cannot be undone. This helps prevent regret and ensures you don’t end up in an undesirable situation.

Some decisions are permanent, but there are also many decisions you can reverse, the so-called “two-way doors.” These decisions can be made more quickly and with less concern because the consequences are not final. If such a decision doesn’t work out well, you can go back and try something else. It’s important to know what type of decision you are making so you can use your time and energy wisely.

Take your time with important decisions. This doesn’t mean you should be indecisive, but rather think consciously and smartly. By calmly considering the consequences and risks, you can make decisions with more confidence. This helps prevent mistakes and gives you a sense of control and responsibility over your choices and their impact on your life.

Related:

• Make reversible decisions as quickly as possible
• Spend a little attention on planning and organizing your tasks, but not more than necessary; then, get to work
• Monthly map
• Systems maintenance

Research shows that only 2.5% of people can multitask well without their performance deteriorating. This means that these people work just as well when doing multiple things at once as when they focus on one thing. This is remarkable because most people perform worse when they try to multitask.

Most people perform worse when they try to do multiple things at once. This is because the human brain has difficulty dividing its attention well over different tasks. Research has shown that multitasking often leads to less productivity and more errors. But there is a small group of 2.5% of people who can multitask well. They seem to have a special ability to use their attention and thinking skills efficiently.

The ability to do multiple things at once without performing worse varies from person to person and can be seen as a skill that can be developed. Most people cannot multitask well, but the fact that 2.5% of people can shows that there are different levels of multitasking.

Related:

• Avoid excessive task switching to increase efficiency
• Attempting to do two or more attention-demanding tasks simultaneously reduces productivity

Meals that are high in carbohydrates can affect our reaction speed. This is because carbohydrates can increase the production of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect, which can lead to relaxation and less alertness. This can be useful if you want to relax, but it can be a disadvantage if you need to react quickly, such as when driving or performing difficult tasks.

On the other hand, meals high in protein can distract you more quickly. Proteins contain amino acids like tyrosine that stimulate the production of dopamine and norepinephrine. These substances help you stay alert and focused, but too much of them can cause you to become more easily distracted and have trouble concentrating. This can be particularly challenging in situations where you need to pay attention and stay focused for a long time.

It is important to find a good balance between carbohydrates and proteins, depending on what you are going to do. If you need to do something that requires good concentration and quick reactions, it may help to eat fewer carbohydrates and opt for a meal with a bit more protein. On the other hand, if you are going to do something that requires less concentration, a meal high in carbohydrates can help you feel relaxed and calm.

Related:

• Do the right thing, in the right way, and at the right moment

When constantly switching from one task to another, so-called ‘switching costs’ arise. These costs include the time and mental energy needed to reorient yourself to the new task, let go of the details of the previous task (attention residue), and fully concentrate on the new task. This process can take several minutes, which means that frequent task switching can lead to a significant decrease in productivity.

By handling tasks sequentially instead of in parallel, these switching costs can be minimized. Once you start a task, it is more efficient to continue it for as long as possible until it is completed. This eliminates the need to switch constantly and allows you to fully focus on the task at hand. Research has shown that subjects who repeatedly perform the same task work faster and more efficiently than when constantly switching tasks.

Additionally, studies have shown that employees lose a significant portion of their time by frequently switching between applications and websites. This constant switching can lead to a loss of 9% of their working time. By consciously choosing to monotask and handle tasks in a logical order, employees can increase their productivity and improve the quality of their work. It is therefore crucial to create a work environment where unnecessary interruptions are minimized and focus on one task at a time is promoted.

Related:

• Before you start (a task, a work session, a project…), set a time budget
• A small part of the population is able to multitask without performance reduction
• Ensure that your computer screen is large enough so that you can view both the work document and the reference material at the same time
• Attempting to do two or more attention-demanding tasks simultaneously reduces productivity
• Work cycle
• Interruptions
• Attention residue
• Singletasking
• Responsiveness
• Switch costs
• Phone addiction

Cold showers probably have a negative impact on cognitive performance.

Related:

• People who do not experience stress often have a lower level of cognitive ability
• Motivation