


Daily habits for productivity how to#
So it’s worth figuring out how to optimize productivity. “Compound growth gets discussed as a financial concept, but it works in careers as well, and it is magic.A small productivity gain, compounded over 50 years, is worth a lot. Speaking of compounding, entrepreneur, investor and Y Combinator President Sam Altman credits his own productivity to the power of taking small, consistent steps in the right direction:

Instead, focusing on what’s truly important can create incredible compound growth. I’ve learned that not all my to-do list items are created equal. I believe time is our most valuable asset - and working strategically enables me to lead our team of over 100 employees.Įvery morning, every Monday, and on the first day of every month, I list my top priorities for that day, week and month. “The people and organizations that can do the right things, more consistently, are more likely to maintain a slight edge and accumulate disproportionate rewards over time.” You’ve probably heard of the Pareto Principle or the 80/20 Rule, which holds that a small number of things (or efforts or people) create the majority of the results.Īuthor James Clear whittles this down to call it the 1 Percent Rule, which states that performing just 1 percent better will eventually give you a major advantage. “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” I could never have built a product that serves 3.5 million users without playing the long game - without sticking to these six habits, every single day. Startup culture often highlights hacks and tricks and instant turnarounds, but habits are the systems that drive real and lasting success. Bad ones hinder us.Either way, habits powerfully influence our automatic behavior.”Īs we all know (but rarely admit), there are no shortcuts for building great habits. “Habits are processes operating in the background that power our lives.Good habits help us reach our goals. But what’s the difference between habits and goals?Īiming to read 50 books by the end of the year is a goal, while carrying a book with you at all times is a habit.Īs Farnam Street’s Shane Parrish explains: Recently, I wrote about how setting sky-high goals can actually leave you feeling lost. It has taken 12 years of experimentation, failure and learning to develop the habits that support both me and my business. When I started Jotform in 2006, I wasn’t quite so clear.

I’m working with my own nature, not against it.ĭaily exercise is just one habit that fuels my entrepreneurial journey. Hiring someone to help me work out is a privilege, but I enjoy the process far more when it’s social - and knowing that my trainer is waiting ensures that I never skip a day. So, every morning at 8 am sharp, I meet with a personal trainer. The gym is definitely not my happy place.Įven the treadmill feels like a depressing metaphor: no matter how fast I run, I never feel like I’m getting anywhere.
