Finding Inspiration for Personal Productivity Systems

I've tried the fancy productivity systems, but here's what works: This 3x5 notecard... Each evening, I sit down at my desk and write down the 3-5 highest impact to-dos for the following day. These are the "important" tasks that directly contribute to my long-term projects or goals. The list is pure—I specifically avoid writing down all of the miscellaneous urgent and unimportant to-dos (more on that later). In the morning, I sit down at my desk for my first focus work block and start at the top of the list, working my way down and crossing off the important items as I get through them. My primary goal is to cross each item off the list by the end of the day. I am intentionally conservative in the number of items I write on the list. It's usually 3, sometimes 4, and very rarely 5. I never want to end the day with open items, so being conservative helps me accomplish that (and get the extra rush from getting through more than I expected). As I go through the day, I stole an idea from Marc Andreessen to use the back of the card to write down and cross off any minor to-dos that I complete (the urgent or unimportant tasks that are not welcome on the front of the card). The process of writing and crossing off an item on the back of the card is a further boost of momentum, so I find it to be a worthwhile exercise. My notecard productivity system is painfully simple, but it's grounded in five powerful realizations: 1. 15 minutes of prep in the evening is worth hours the next morning. By setting out your priority tasks the night before, you eliminate any friction from having to decide what to work on. You hit the ground sprinting. 2. Important > Urgent. By tackling the important to start the day, you guarantee progress against the big picture projects and goals. If my day went to hell after that morning focus block (which it sometimes does with a 1-year-old at home!), it would be ok, because I know I've gotten through much of my important work. 3. Momentum is everything. Crossing important items off your list to start the day immediately creates a winning feeling that you keep with you. Success begets success. 4. Simple is beautiful. If you're spending time thinking about your productivity system, you're studying for the wrong test. That's movement for the sake of movement. You should be focused on progress. 5. Find what works for you. It used to stress me out that I didn't have a beautiful productivity system that would impress others. Then I realized that whatever works for me is the best productivity system. Identify how you operate and find the system that works for you. To get started, just buy a stack of simple 3x5 notecards and give it a shot. If you've ever been overwhelmed by productivity systems and advice, this is an approach to try. Follow me Sahil Bloom for more ideas like this in the future and join 800,000+ others who get these in my weekly newsletter: https://lnkd.in/esGsF85Q

I've tested over 100 productivity systems in 20+ years of building companies. Here's the one that actually works (and why most founders get it wrong): Most think success requires grinding 24/7. After selling multiple companies, I've learned the opposite is true. Systems beat hustle. Every. Single. Time. I do ten 4-hour work weeks every single week. Instead of one endless 16-hour grind, I work in concentrated 4-hour blocks with complete mental resets between each. Here's my exact system: My "Control Room" approach: • Every task gets time-boxed in Asana • Projects have dedicated boards • Meetings only Tuesday-Thursday • Zero context switching allowed • Daily review at 6 AM sharp The breakthrough came when I realized: Energy management trumps time management. I map my day to natural energy peaks: • 5-9 AM: Deep strategic work • 9-1 PM: Team alignment • 1-5 PM: Execution mode • 5-8 PM: Family time Non-negotiable boundaries: • Phone stays in another room during deep work • Mondays are meeting-free for focused work • No major decisions when mentally drained • No "just this once" exceptions The system requires ruthless prioritization. I use the "3-1-3" method: • 3 major quarterly objectives per company • 1 key metric that defines success • 3 critical tasks each day that move the needle Everything else is noise. The beauty isn't just productivity - it's freedom. I can run multiple companies while being present for my family. No more choosing between success and life. The secret to extreme productivity isn't working harder than everyone else. It's building systems that multiply your impact. Start small. Pick one element. Test it for a week. Then build from there. Join Founder Mode for free weekly insights on startups, systems, and personal growth: https://lnkd.in/gSjjvzt9

The problem with traditional productivity systems isn't that they don't work - they just don't work for everyone. My wife creates detailed to-do lists and feels accomplished when she checks off tasks. I tried that approach for years and it made me miserable. For me, tracking completed tasks never gave me satisfaction. I'd finish 15 items and still feel like I'd accomplished nothing meaningful. So I started thinking about work differently. What if I viewed my day through the lens of energy instead of time? Every activity in my practice falls into one of three categories: • Energy positive: Activities that actually energize me (brainstorming new ideas, strategy sessions with engaged clients) • Energy neutral: Activities that neither drain nor boost me • Energy negative: Activities that deplete my mental and emotional reserves (difficult client conversations, certain admin tasks) The revelation came when I realized: some tasks that take 15 minutes drain more energy than three-hour projects I enjoy. This shift in thinking led to three practical changes: 1. I schedule energy-negative tasks when I naturally have more capacity (morning for me) 2. I deliberately pair energy-draining activities with energy-giving ones 3. I've converted energy-negative tasks into energy-positive ones where possible (like having these conversations instead of writing posts) My goal isn't to end each day with a completed list - it's to end with enough energy left for my family and myself. Knowledge work isn't factory work. We can't measure our productivity by widgets produced. Sometimes our most productive moments come from a single insight after hours of thinking - not from completing 20 tasks. What would your practice look like if you measured energy instead of time? Follow for more unconventional approaches to building a sustainable law practice. #LegalProductivity #WorkLifeBalance #LawFirmSuccess

Every week is a new chance to master your focus, flow, and fulfillment: Compelling outcomes pull me through my week. I can't imagine any other way. I work backwards from better Fridays. When I hit Friday, I want to look back on my 3 Wins (or my 3 compelling outcomes, or 3 highlights, or 3 victories, or whatever language you want to use). I actually created Agile Results as a productivity system for better Fridays. At Microsoft, I focused on better Fridays, by starting with better Mondays. With a few patterns, you can transform your week into fun and fulfillment, day by day. 𝟯𝗙𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀: 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀, 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 By using Agile Results as your productivity system, you master 3 Fs: 1. Focus 2. Flow 3. Fulfillment 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀, 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀, 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀) This is the backbone of my productivity framework and book Getting Results the Agile Way: 1. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻:   On Mondays, ask yourself, "What are 3 Wins for This Week?" and write them down, say them out loud and feel them in your bones.  If they don't pull you forward, change them until they do. 2. 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀:  Each day, ask yourself, "What are 3 Wins for Today?"  Again write them down, say them out loud, feel them in your bones.  Inspire yourself today! 3. 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:  On Fridays, check-in with yourself.  Create a personal appointment and reflect on your week:  What are 3 Things Going Well?  What are 3 Things to Improve?  What Will You Improve Next Week? This creates a learning and feedback loop that transforms your productivity through self-awareness and practice. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 This is a pattern I used to use my best energy for my best results at Microsoft: 1. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀:  Figure out your strengths and use them for exponential results.  This is also the key to finding your flow.  You can't do flow well, if you don't know your strengths. 2. 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀:  Figure out your strongest hours in the day your Power Hours, and use them to move your mountains or to turn mountains into molehills.  This is matching your energy to task and taking on your toughest stuff when you are at your strongest. 3. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀:   Figure out your most creative time and space to find your breakthroughs and unleash your greatest creativity.   You might find it's not when you expect.  For example I found I'm at my creative best on Thursdays and Saturdays (Sunday is too close to Monday, lol) When you master this pattern, you give yourself the chance to master your focus, flow, and fulfillment -- the 3Fs of Agile Results. 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 With Agile Results, you have two great bookends for your week: 1. Monday Vision 2. Friday Reflection And remember the mantra for Agile Results: "𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺, 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴!" Happy Friday!