Productivity Hacks

Jul 9, 2024

Productivity Hacks from South Korea and Other Insights

South Korean Teenagers' Study Habits

  • Teenagers often spend more time on schoolwork than many people spend awake.
  • Common goals include joining esports teams.
  • Popular productivity methods:
    • Not showering often to save time.
    • Drinking iced Americanos between subjects.

Secret to Productivity

  • Simplified into a Cycle:
    1. Motivation: Initiates the desire to work.
    2. Work: Completing tasks reinforces feelings of achievement.
    3. Motivation: Success in tasks fuels further motivation.

Shortform: The Tool for Quick Reading

  • Provides guides to many popular books in various genres.
  • Example: Ali Abdaal’s "Feel-Good Productivity."
  • Guides include exercises to apply the learned principles.
  • Subscription features weekly new guides, user voting on topics.

Mechanics of the Productivity Cycle

  • Image of cycle used as a motivational tool.
  • Productivity driven by motivation spirals (Doing work generates more willingness to do work).

Examples of the Cycle in Action

  • Last-minute essay completion due to high impending deadline forces motivation.
  • To-do lists boost efficiency by detailing tasks, providing frequent moments of accomplishment.

Self-Motivation Tricks

  1. Remind yourself of your driving factors and end goals.
  2. Focus on the enjoyable aspects of your work.
  3. Challenge yourself with tight deadlines (e.g., one-hour work sprints).
  4. Incorporate work into a daily routine to make it habitual.

Work First Approach

  • Starting work (even for a minute) can jumpstart motivation.
  • Initial task completion can catalyze further productivity.

Oxford University Study Habits Example

  • Students study 40 hours a week regardless of motivation.
  • They start with small tasks to eventually complete bigger ones.

Addressing Cycle Interruptions

  • Issues such as tiredness, confusion, boredom, anxiety, and distractions hinder productivity.
  • Taking breaks and going for walks help re-energize and clear the mind.

Specific Solutions to Problems

  • Tiredness & Boredom: Change work location to refresh your perspective.
  • Anxiety: Rationalize your fears; e.g., studying helps regardless of current worries.
  • Distractions: Remove your phone from your work area entirely to maintain focus.