## My favorite books [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=0s) - There are numerous productivity books available, and Carol, the author of the [[Bullet journal | Bullet Journal]] method, has written one themselves that became a New York Times bestseller and was translated into 28 different languages [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=0s). - The vast number of productivity books can be overwhelming, making it difficult to find one that is actually worth reading, which is why Carol is sharing their top seven productivity ideas learned from books in this video [(00:00:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=5s). - Some of the productivity ideas shared are from traditional productivity books, but others come from unexpected sources, highlighting that valuable productivity concepts can be found in a wide range of books [(00:00:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=22s). - The video will cover seven key productivity ideas, starting with a classic book titled "Atomic", which is the first book to be discussed [(00:00:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=28s). ## 1: Sculpt your identity [(00:00:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=33s) - The concept of habits is discussed, with a reference to James Clear's work, and an invitation to watch another video for those interested in the concept of good habits [(00:00:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=33s). - James Clear's idea is that productivity should be viewed in terms of identity, where actions define who a person becomes over time, and behaviors shape identity [(00:00:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=47s). - The key idea is that people do not perform actions just for the action itself, but to become a certain type of person, such as reading to become a reader or running to become a runner [(00:00:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=55s). - Productivity is often measured by what a person accomplishes, but it is believed that a better measure of productivity is who a person becomes in the process of accomplishing things [(00:01:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=69s). - Each action a person takes can be seen as a vote for who they want to become, making the process of personal growth and development a key aspect of productivity [(00:01:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=83s). ## 2: Stop preparing [(00:01:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=86s) - The book "4,000 Weeks" by [[Oliver Burkeman]] is considered one of the best productivity books ever written, as it challenges the hustle and grind culture in a clever and mindful way [(00:01:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=86s). - The concept of "clearing the decks" or pseudo productivity can be a significant obstacle to getting meaningful work done, as it involves spending hours on small tasks like answering emails and making phone calls [(00:01:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=99s). - According to [[Cal Newport]], "deep work" is the actual meaningful work that can be hindered by the never-ending process of clearing the decks, which can consume one's entire life [(00:01:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=110s). - Oliver Burkeman's quote emphasizes that attention is what constitutes life, and whatever one pays attention to from moment to moment is what their life will have been [(00:02:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=125s). - The idea that life is happening now, not once everything is perfectly organized, is liberating, as it allows individuals to stop preparing and start doing what actually matters [(00:02:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=139s). - It is suggested that instead of constantly getting ready and preparing to do the real work, one should try to collapse the time between wanting to do something and actually doing it [(00:02:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=152s). - By doing so, individuals can focus on the things that actually matter and make the most of their time, rather than getting bogged down in preparation and pseudo productivity [(00:02:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=159s). ## 3: Measure from the start [(00:02:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=164s) - Measuring progress is crucial, as the quote by [[Peter Drucker]] states, "which gets measured gets managed," and without measurement, it is impossible to know if progress is being made [(00:02:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=164s). - The problem lies in measuring progress in the wrong direction, and many people measure progress against the gap, which is what they haven't achieved yet, such as the number of subscribers, deals, or money they don't have [(00:03:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=182s). - Measuring progress against the gap can create a context where individuals feel like they are always falling short, especially when comparing themselves to others, and this can be demoralizing, depressing, and unproductive [(00:03:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=211s). - Executive coach [[Dan Sullivan]] and Dr. [[Benjamin Hardy]] suggest measuring the gain, which means measuring how far you've come, rather than measuring yourself against the finish line, and this approach is more productive [(00:03:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=226s). - Measuring from the starting line, acknowledging the progress made from the beginning, is a more productive way to approach life, as it focuses on the progress made rather than the distance to the finish line [(00:03:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=232s). - The concept of measuring the gain is discussed in the book "The Gap and the Gain" by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, which explores the problem of measuring progress in the wrong direction [(00:03:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=182s). ## 4: Ambition is underrated [(00:04:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=243s) - The book "10x" by Hardy presents a powerful core idea that 10x is better than 2x, which can make one exceptionally productive, and this concept is more of a mental model than a productivity technique [(00:04:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=243s). - The idea of achieving a 10x improvement requires a radical focus and a complete rethink of one's approach, as simply doing more of the same can only lead to a limited increase in results, such as a doubling of efforts [(00:04:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=281s). - To achieve a massive improvement like 10x, one must be willing to say no to everything else and fully commit to a single goal, as exemplified by the experience of having to prioritize a book deal over other responsibilities like videos, articles, and a career as a digital product designer [(00:05:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=311s). - The 10x concept provides a clarifying framework that can help cut through overwhelm and focus on what truly matters, by considering what one would have to do to make 10 times more of something they want, or what they would have to stop doing [(00:05:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=340s). - The book gives structure to a way of thinking and doing that can be profoundly productive, especially for those with big ambitions or who are overwhelmed by choices, and it offers a valuable perspective on how to prioritize and achieve goals [(00:05:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=325s). ## 5: Avoid violent communication [(00:05:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=351s) - Non-violent communication is a crucial aspect of productivity, as poor communication can hinder progress, especially during conflicts or disagreements with coworkers, clients, or customers, and a book that provides a framework for effective communication is Non-Violent Communication by [[Marshall Rosenberg]] [(00:05:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=351s). - The biggest productivity challenge is not time management, but rather people management, and being able to communicate clearly and effectively is essential for achieving goals and handling conflicts [(00:05:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=356s). - In today's world, where people are becoming more reactive and hesitant to express themselves, having a clear and powerful framework for expressing needs and improving communication skills is invaluable for any productive effort [(00:06:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=375s). - The book Non-Violent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg offers a valuable resource for learning how to express needs, handle conflicts, and improve communication skills, which is essential for personal and professional growth [(00:06:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=383s). - Effective communication is critical when things go wrong or when there are disagreements, and having the right skills and framework can make a significant difference in achieving success and maintaining positive relationships [(00:06:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=368s). ## 6: Write worse (then better) [(00:06:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=397s) - The book by [[Anne Lamott]] emphasizes the importance of writing as a skill that teaches how to think, and its core idea is the concept of the "shitty first draft", which is a process where the initial draft of a piece of writing, such as an article or email, is unlikely to be perfect, but serves as a starting point for refinement [(00:06:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=397s). - This approach involves getting to the end of a writing project as quickly as possible, even if the first draft is not perfect, in order to have material to work with and refine, which can help speed up the writing process [(00:07:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=436s). - The concept of the "shitty first draft" has helped to overcome perfectionism, which can be crippling and cause projects to never be completed due to a focus on minor details, by practicing letting go of things that don't matter and focusing on what does [(00:07:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=462s). - By using this approach, it is possible to navigate perfectionism and avoid wasting time on insignificant details, allowing for a more efficient and productive writing process [(00:07:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=469s). - The practice of writing a "shitty first draft" becomes a way to let go of burdens and focus on what is important, making it a valuable skill for productivity and writing [(00:07:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=475s). ## 7: Start with meaning [(00:08:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=484s) - The book "[[Man's Search for Meaning]]" by Victor Frankl is considered one of the most formative books and is highly recommended, as it provides wisdom on optimizing for meaning, which is the most important thing to prioritize, especially in relation to productivity [(00:08:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=484s). - The book, which is about Frankl's imprisonment in a concentration camp during World War II, highlights that no matter how hard one works or how much they achieve, it won't matter if it doesn't feel meaningful, and being honest with oneself about what brings excitement and fulfillment is crucial [(00:08:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=501s). - Figuring out what feels meaningful may be the most productive thing one can do, as life can be challenging even when doing something loved, and having a sense of meaning can help endure difficulties, as expressed by philosophers like Nietzsche, who said "he who has a why can endure anyhow" [(00:08:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=513s). - The concept of choosing one's challenges is also emphasized, as expressed by Mark Manson, who says "choose your hard", implying that it's better to be challenged within a context that one cares about rather than in a context that lacks meaning [(00:09:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=555s). - Ultimately, the book ties together the other mentioned books by emphasizing the importance of prioritizing meaning, which is essential for a fulfilling and productive life, and encourages readers to reflect on what brings them a sense of purpose and excitement [(00:08:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=521s). ## 8: Experiments, not goals [(00:09:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=574s) - The book "[[Tiny Experiments]]" by Analor Lon is considered one of the best productivity books and is highly recommended, as it offers a unique approach to productivity by turning life into a laboratory [(00:09:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=574s). - The book suggests creating tiny experiments based on curiosity, rather than setting traditional goals, and is described as a forgiving, playful, and powerful productivity model [(00:09:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=589s). - "Tiny Experiments" is backed by science and is packed with great ideas, making it a valuable resource for those looking to improve their productivity [(00:09:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=584s). ## 9: Write a better life [(00:10:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=604s) - The book "The [[Bullet journal | Bullet Journal]] Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, and Design Your Future" is a synthesis of the best tools, philosophies, and techniques developed over decades to help achieve mindful productivity and write a better life [(00:10:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=604s). - This book is a culmination of the knowledge and experience gained to improve productivity and live a better life, and readers who like the way of thinking presented may want to consider picking it up [(00:10:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=609s). - The discussion invites readers to share their own favorite productivity books in the comments, and to subscribe for more in-depth explorations of mindful productivity [(00:10:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=621s). - Viewers are encouraged to like and subscribe for additional content on being mindfully productive, with the opportunity to experience more deep dives into the topic [(00:10:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ&t=626s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zltgQyF7QQ?si=HK0nHxuIr-Iw4fZv)