Productivity Habits

Write Everything Down

Focusing and clarity are the main benefits I gain from writing everything down.

Writing is a mechanism that removes bias. An empty white page is a mirror into your mind.

When the ideas in your mind are clouded, so are the words on the page in front of you.

Writing makes a train of thought visible. The process puts pressure on ideas.

Writing exposes gaps in understanding. It is hard to explain something without knowledge.

Writing is where we clash ideas, fledge out edges and find potential connections.

Start the Habit of Journalling.

Include ten minutes of journalling in your morning routine. The morning is when you are likely to be at your most creative — even if you are a night person.

Don’t worry if you only write about the weather forecast or some news item in the early days. Once you start doing this, you will soon begin writing out your thoughts.

I cannot count the number of great ideas I have had from those ten minutes I write. But the most significant benefit is how journalling focuses you on the day.

Close the day

Closing out your day is about drawing a line underneath your work and projects for the day. A good closing down habit is to stop working on whatever you are working on, then clear your task manager’s inbox.

Spend a few minutes planning what needs to be done the next day. That involves looking at the task you have scheduled for the next day and any appointment.