Summary

The article outlines five practical rules aimed at enhancing personal productivity by optimizing task management and prioritization.

Abstract

The article "5 Rules To Get More Stuff Done" emphasizes the importance of efficient time management and productivity. It suggests that true productivity is not just about the quantity of tasks completed but the quality and effectiveness of the work done. The rules include the 2 Minute Rule for immediate task execution, identifying a daily highlight to prioritize important tasks, the 2 Day Rule to maintain consistency in habits, the strategy of dividing and conquering through delegation, and the importance of scheduling to transform tasks into obligations. These principles are designed to help individuals focus on high-priority actions, avoid procrastination, and manage their time more effectively to achieve better results in both personal and professional life.

Opinions

The author believes that productivity is measured by the return on time invested (ROTI), favoring quality over quantity.
Immediate action on small tasks is encouraged to overcome initial resistance and build momentum.
Prioritizing the most important task of the day as the "highlight of the day" is seen as a key habit for productivity.
Consistency in habits is crucial; missing more than two days can lead to a loss of momentum.
Effective delegation is recommended to expand available time and increase output, suggesting that one's time may be more valuably spent on tasks that cannot be outsourced.
Scheduling tasks in a calendar is advocated as a method to commit to and fulfill personal and professional obligations.
The article conveys a straightforward approach to productivity, encapsulated in the slogan "Just Do It," emphasizing action and completion of tasks.

5 Rules To Get More Stuff Done

Be more productive and less busy

Time is a finite resource, so if you can figure out ways to get more done, you’re essentially a more productive person.

However, productivity isn’t just about how much you get done it’s more about, how you get it done. Spending less time to produce greater output is what defines productivity, i.e., “the return on time invested” (ROTI).

Below are 5 rules that will help increase your productivity and help you get even more done during your day and life.

1. The 2 Minute Rule

If something takes 2 minutes or less to do, then you might as well do it right now. For example, doing your bed or sending an email.

It would be much quicker for you to just do it, rather than writing it down as an action. If then the 2-minutes turns into 20 minutes, that’s okay. In fact, that’s the whole point. The concept of 2-minutes removes the early friction and once your started it’s much easier to keep going and essentially get even more done.

2. Highlight of the Day

When you wake up in the morning ask yourself, “if I was only allowed to do one thing today what would it be? Now make that the “highlight of the day” and do it before mid-day.

This will get you into the habit of completing your highest priority action first thing in the morning, freeing you up mentally and physically for the rest of the day, to get even more important tasks done, like watching Netflix.

3. The 2 Day Rule

If you want to get more done and get more results over the long run, then try not to miss a habit or reoccurring action for more than 2 days in a row.

For example, if your goal is to get into shape, then don’t miss the gym for more than 2 days in a row or don’t have a 3-day cheat-day weekend bender. If you do, chances are you will start to slip up and loose the momentum you’ve gained.

But if life gets in the way, then don’t worry about it, it’s not end of the world. Just start again and see how long you can go without breaking the 2-day rule.

4. Divide and Conquer

If you try to do everything, you will end up doing nothing. Effective delegation will expand your time whilst increasing your output.

Outsource tasks that take up too much time or where the value of your time exceeds the value of the output. Simple examples include, washing your car or basic admin tasks for your business.

Flex this rule based on your lifestyle and personal preferences and do what works for you. As they say time is money, so spend it wisely.

5. The Scheduling Rule

Another great hack to get more done is scheduling. When things are in your calendar, they change from being an option to an obligation.

Block out your calendar for your most important tasks of the day. This also applies to personal goals such as, gym, cooking, family time and so on.

Put yourself first, otherwise your diary will be full of other people’s priorities and not your own.

Final Words

There’s a famous slogan which goes something like “Just Do It”. So, if there is one thing you were to take away from this read, it would be, “just do it and get it done”. Simple.