Chapter Content
Okay, so, you're probably always looking for ways to, like, you know, be more productive, right? And you've probably tried a bunch of different, like, fancy systems and apps and stuff. But, um, have you ever thought about going back to basics? Like, *really* basic? I'm talking about an index card.
Yeah, seriously. An index card. It sounds, I know, ridiculously simple, but hear me out. I mean, this isn't just some random suggestion. Even, like, *really* successful people use this, you know? Like, the tech guy, Marc Andreessen. He's totally on board with this.
Basically, the idea is that every night, before you go to sleep, you grab a 3x5 index card and you write down, like, three to five things – that's it, just three to five – that you're going to do the *next* day. Now, here's the important part, you really gotta focus on the important stuff. We're talking about the stuff that, like, *actually* moves the needle on your long-term goals and values. Think about it this way, what's going to really make a difference in the long run?
Don't bother writing down all that, you know, miscellaneous stuff that's urgent but not really important. You know, the little things. Just focus on the *big* rocks.
Then, the next morning, you just start at the top of the list and work your way down. As you finish each thing, cross it off. And the goal is, well, obviously, to cross everything off by the end of the day. If you manage to do that, even if that's *all* you get done, then you've had a win. Because those were the things that *really* mattered.
And, like, seriously, be realistic about how much you can actually get done in a day. We tend to, uh, overestimate, you know? So, be conservative. Stick to three, unless there's a *really* good reason to add more.
See, the thing about all those fancy productivity systems is that they often need a lot of, you know, thinking and maintaining. If you're spending more time, like, thinking *about* your productivity system than actually *being* productive, then something's wrong. You're focusing on just moving things around, not making real progress. This index card strategy? It's all about focus and momentum, helping you actually get the important stuff done. So, yeah, simple is beautiful, right? Always remember that.