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Abstract

:</h1>Do you recommend a “waiting for“ list?As long as you have the habit of checking it regularly, it might be a great reference document to use. However, you can do just fine without it by making calendar reminders ahead of time if you need to follow up.How much time should be planned vs. unplanned?It depends a lot on your job and life situation. However, you should aim for at least 1–2 hours of pure unplanned time. This time can also function as a buffer if unexpected things happen. The more emptiness in your schedule, the better you can take advantage of opportunities.Ideally, you want as much unplanned time as possible. 50/50 is the optimum, although it might change over the years.Do you recommend tracking metrics?If you like it, then that is fine. However, it is unnecessary since much of what you do is already tracked. Your calendar and checked-off tasks provide a record of what you are doing. An exception might be <a href="https://thetotalliving.com/2022/02/fail-5-times-a-day-on-purpose-nothing-can-stop-you-now/">tracking your failures</a> to give you a solid boost.What is your opinion on Cal Newport’s “Capture, Configure, Control- system”?Way too top-down. I have tried it for over a year and can attest to its futility when planning the future. Keep in mind that Newport lives in a stable and predictable environment: academia and book-writing. I have written more about why you should not plan your future <a href="https://thetotalliving.com/2022/02/5-reasons-to-stop-setting-goals-expectations-and-predictions/">here</a>.These individual forecasts seldom apply to almost any other situation (especially in business). And if they do, you are probably missing out on opportunities because of your narrow focus.The only practice I can recommend is time-blocking. However, if you use the calendar, you do not need to timeblock since you already do. See <a href="https://thetotalliving.com/2022/02/how-to-use-your-calendar-barbell-2/">here </a>for more info.How does Barbell fit into the Eisenhower box (four quadrants with do it, defer it, delegate it, drop it?If you are using Barbell, you automatically do obligations or whatever you want. You also use the calendar to plan obligations or delegate them if that is the case. In other words, the Eisenhower box is already fulfilled.It seems like you have got a lot of inspiration from Nassim Taleb. Is that the case?Totally right. This productivity system is ded

Options

icated to his work since he has proven the uselessness of predicting the future and instead relies on antifragility. I was very inspired by part 3 in the masterpiece <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812979680/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0812979680&linkCode=as2&tag=thetotallivin-20&linkId=2d9c9817e095090b8b59691d326019c4">Antifragile</a>, where he outlines the Barbell principle. Here, I am applying his wisdom to the productivity world.How do I know if I am using the Barbell System correctly?If you do the following<ul><li>Always look at your calendar widget when opening up your home screen</li><li>Write down options on your options list and plan obligations to your calendar</li><li>Write down other ideas in your note-taking app</li><li>Always adjust in the moment depending on your reality</li><li>Experience a solid sense of presence whenever you do something</li></ul>This week’s premium article will showcase three fictional characters using the system and their experience. You can check out this article for inspiration if you are a member.How do I add habits and small obligations?Most of the time, you do not need to add a separate event for habits if you follow these instructions. For small obligations, you can modify the upcoming event. For example, “small obligation + planned activity.”How should I design my notes and name my files?I mentioned your self-organizing system here. However, it is beneficial to make your notes and files as searchable as possible. For your notes, make a headline (that is all you need) and for your files, name them into the relevant keywords and dates.Do you expect to abandon this system as well, as you did with 1-Glance?That is not the plan. Only having no system will replace Barbell. This system relies on principles thousands of years old and is time-tested by now.Do you still recommend this <a href="https://thetotalliving.com/2021/12/1-glance-part-10-entry-and-exit/">entry-exit practice</a>?If you find good use of it, do it. Otherwise, you do not need to.Is this all there is?Yes. No further complication. Just focus on doing your work and living your life.If you like this article series, you will enjoy the full e-book (a full expansion on how to use the Barbell System in your daily life). Click <a href="https://thetotalliving.gumroad.com/l/the-barbell-system">here</a> to learn more.</article></body>

You Maybe Barbell Without Knowing It — Conclusion & FAQ (Barbell #15)

(You can also listen to this article on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts)

If you are doing great work and accomplish a lot, the chances are that you are already using a system like Barbell.

You might use your calendar to block off planned time and take notes to brain dump and journal. What is new might be reframing your to-do list as options only, although you probably allocate some spontaneous time. Overall, it is the most natural way to master your life.

As I wrote in the beginning, a calendar, task manager, and note-taking app are all you need to thrive no matter what happens. By separating between total dedication during your planned time and total spontaneity during your unplanned time, you become reliable and have fun. You get things done and open up doors for massive luck to enter your house at any moment.

The most important is this: set it and forget it. The barbell system is designed for forgetting its existence. If you adjust your options, your calendar, and write stuff down, you do not need to be aware of it.

By forgetting the system and focusing on your activities at the moment, nothing can stop you. You stop totally seeking and start to live totally.

Below are the most common questions and answers. This is a living document with more questions expected to arise. Therefore, you can check back from time to time and send your questions/feedback to me via social media channels.

Previous post. Next post (Members-Only). Beginning of series.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you recommend a “waiting for“ list?

As long as you have the habit of checking it regularly, it might be a great reference document to use. However, you can do just fine without it by making calendar reminders ahead of time if you need to follow up.

How much time should be planned vs. unplanned?

It depends a lot on your job and life situation. However, you should aim for at least 1–2 hours of pure unplanned time. This time can also function as a buffer if unexpected things happen. The more emptiness in your schedule, the better you can take advantage of opportunities.

Ideally, you want as much unplanned time as possible. 50/50 is the optimum, although it might change over the years.

Do you recommend tracking metrics?

If you like it, then that is fine. However, it is unnecessary since much of what you do is already tracked. Your calendar and checked-off tasks provide a record of what you are doing. An exception might be tracking your failures to give you a solid boost.

What is your opinion on Cal Newport’s “Capture, Configure, Control- system”?

Way too top-down. I have tried it for over a year and can attest to its futility when planning the future. Keep in mind that Newport lives in a stable and predictable environment: academia and book-writing. I have written more about why you should not plan your future here.

These individual forecasts seldom apply to almost any other situation (especially in business). And if they do, you are probably missing out on opportunities because of your narrow focus.

The only practice I can recommend is time-blocking. However, if you use the calendar, you do not need to timeblock since you already do. See here for more info.

How does Barbell fit into the Eisenhower box (four quadrants with do it, defer it, delegate it, drop it?

If you are using Barbell, you automatically do obligations or whatever you want. You also use the calendar to plan obligations or delegate them if that is the case. In other words, the Eisenhower box is already fulfilled.

It seems like you have got a lot of inspiration from Nassim Taleb. Is that the case?

Totally right. This productivity system is dedicated to his work since he has proven the uselessness of predicting the future and instead relies on antifragility. I was very inspired by part 3 in the masterpiece Antifragile, where he outlines the Barbell principle. Here, I am applying his wisdom to the productivity world.

How do I know if I am using the Barbell System correctly?

If you do the following

Always look at your calendar widget when opening up your home screen
Write down options on your options list and plan obligations to your calendar
Write down other ideas in your note-taking app
Always adjust in the moment depending on your reality
Experience a solid sense of presence whenever you do something

This week’s premium article will showcase three fictional characters using the system and their experience. You can check out this article for inspiration if you are a member.

How do I add habits and small obligations?

Most of the time, you do not need to add a separate event for habits if you follow these instructions. For small obligations, you can modify the upcoming event. For example, “small obligation + planned activity.”

How should I design my notes and name my files?

I mentioned your self-organizing system here. However, it is beneficial to make your notes and files as searchable as possible. For your notes, make a headline (that is all you need) and for your files, name them into the relevant keywords and dates.

Do you expect to abandon this system as well, as you did with 1-Glance?

That is not the plan. Only having no system will replace Barbell. This system relies on principles thousands of years old and is time-tested by now.

Do you still recommend this entry-exit practice?

If you find good use of it, do it. Otherwise, you do not need to.

Is this all there is?

Yes. No further complication. Just focus on doing your work and living your life.

If you like this article series, you will enjoy the full e-book (a full expansion on how to use the Barbell System in your daily life). Click here to learn more.