How to Be Productive [Infographic]

Here is the mindmap of 35 habits of the uber-productive:

Since the beginning of the year, I lived in 7 different countries, spend 3 months in a remote village, and ended up in another mega city. If you want to travel and get work done at the same time, you have to be more productive. Here is the summary of a year of my experimenting with productivity in one mindmap.

How did I come up with it? Here is an example in the clothing aspect of life.

How To Be Productive?

There is one thing in common between Steve Jobs, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Mark Zuckerberg – they all wear the same thing every day. Barack chooses between two suits every morning – grey or navy, Zuckerberg has a drawer of 20 identical grey t- shirts. When each of them were asked why they do this, the answer is to save time and avoid making small decisions so they can be more productive.

I have been wearing the same thing for the past few months. Almost without exception. Does it work? Yes. I don’t have to worry about finding my clothes or being stressed out about how it looks. Day after day I wear the same thing that I know works. But there is a trick to it. I will write about it next time.

Here is my experience on how to be productive:

Tech

Limit email replies to one per minute
If you can’t understand what an email asks, don’t answer
Tune out the news. Nothing important happens, most of the time.
Do not answer the phone, unless it’s a true emergency. (Emergencies are rare)
Use keyboard shortcuts.

Clothes

Define your fashion uniform.
Wear it daily.
Wear smart fabrics.
Carry an all-occasion outfit with you.
Discard what you stop using.

Hacks

Visualize your end product
Start before you feel ready, avoid chicken-end-egg.
Assume you are right, when id doubt
Decisive is productive.
If you can’t write it down, record it.
When you read something helpful, write to the author.
Manage anxiety – run, swim, dance
Sleep more. You will get more done.
Take naps when energy runs low.

Schedule

Do easiest things first.
Prioritize one item per day.
Set a daily routine.
No meeting unless they are decisive.
Better done than perfect.

Food

Routinize your diet.
Eat healthy food.
Get delivery to save time.
Negotiate a daily deal with your trusted cafe.

Mind

Notice the 80/20 rule. Which 20%? of work produces 80% of result?
Focus on the important, suppress the urgent.
Decide the outcome before even starting.
Start ‘Idea Dump’ book for genius ideas you can’t work on now.
Eliminate trivial decisions, like what to wear.
Learn to ignore. No need to respond to everything.
Do a bad first draft. You can’t edit a blank page.
Treat time as your money.