Everything in Its Right Place.
What can I say? The first track on Kid A is a masterpiece.
Take the structure. Using 10/4 as a time signature is unheard of. Then there’s the ghostly repetition of “Kid A” at the start — a backward loop taken from the end of the song.
All this is to say I love this track.
I also like everything to be in its right place. (See what I did there?) For this reason, I’ve developed productivity systems. I say systems. Really they’re just habits. These habits, which I’m coining the best productivity systems, have helped me 10X my creative output in the last year. They can help you too.
Oh, and like Radiohead’s songs, they wouldn’t be possible without doing things a little differently.
Let’s dig into five of the best productivity systems.
#1: Outsource your worries
One of my friends suggested this.
Every Monday morning, I drop him a voice message. It usually lasts 2–3 minutes. I’ll detail three goals for the week and one worry.
The worry can be big or small. Sometimes I can’t think of one. It doesn’t matter.
I’ll also reflect back on his goals from the past week. Did he complete X, Y, and Z? If not, why not? He then replies with his goals and worries, and checks I completed last week’s goals.
It’s a simple practice that’s made me realize 90% of worries are ignorable. If they’re not worth sharing, they’re not worth having.
How it can increase your output: By sharing your worries with someone you trust, you free up your brain and can be more efficient in the hours you work.
#2: Accountability swap
One of my friends is completing #75Hard. It’s a “mental toughness program” started by Andy Frisella back in 2019. The program includes:
- Following a diet. This includes no alcohol or “cheat meals.”
- Working out twice a day for at least 45 minutes. One of these workouts must be an outdoor session.
- Drinking four liters of water per day.
- Reading ten pages of nonfiction a day.
- Taking a five-minute cold shower every day.
- Taking progress photos every day.
The program’s not suitable for everyone, but my friend wanted to give it a go, so she asked me for help.
“I’m not doing it too if that’s what you’re thinking!”
She laughed. “No, don’t worry! I want to do an accountability swap.”
“What the hell’s that?!”
“Simple. You hold me accountable to this challenge and I’ll hold you accountable to something else.”
So that’s what we’ve done. She sends me two workout pictures a day — either in the gym or outside – and I send her five ideas I’ve typed into a Google doc. Five ideas a day was inspired by James Altucher. He claims that by building your “idea muscle”, you’ll become an “idea machine”.
We’re nearly at the end of the challenge and I’ve amassed over 300 ideas in a Google doc.
How it can increase your output: Having an accountability partner is a productivity system that’ll keep you working towards your goals. You won’t want to let your partner down.
#3: Work with a virtual assistant
I outsourced work to a virtual assistant in April 2020. Her name’s Lou and I pay her to produce podcasts, email guests, and complete other tasks. We’ve been working together ever since.
She easily saves me 10 hours a week, and we spend less than one hour a week communicating.
Best of all? Because she lives in the Philippines, I get to wake up to an email detailing the tasks she’s completed.
I know outsourcing to a virtual assistant can seem intimidating. That’s why I have a Udemy course about outsourcing if you want to add this productivity system to your roster.
How it can increase your output: With an extra ten plus hours a week, you’ll be able to focus on other high-value activities.
#4: Perfume prizes
My mum likes perfume, but she never buys it for herself.
So when she asked me if I could help her lose weight, I suggested the following:
“I have no idea how to lose weight, but Google will show you. Once you have a plan, I’ll incentivise you with a reward. If you can achieve your target weight, I’ll buy you your favorite perfume.”
The result? Six months later, she followed a plan and lost over a stone.
She comfortably beat her goal.
It made me realize how powerful incentives can be, so I’ve applied them to my own life. For example, after completing a workout, I move a marble into a glass jar. Each marble is worth £2. At the end of the week, I reward myself with the money — usually a book.
How it can increase your output: Working for mini-rewards instills discipline, which then spills into other areas of your life. This is why it’s one of the best productivity systems.
#5: Build a second brain
I was first introduced to this concept by Elizabeth Filips. Like many YouTubers, she spins lots of plates, which is why she uses Notion to store content ideas.
I started using Notion (a productivity app) last year. Instead of storing ideas on random devices, they’re all in one place.
This second brain has helped reduce overwhelm. It’s also fun to use. I actually want to be productive now.
How it can increase your output: You won’t waste time trying to remember ideas. They’re also easy to find.
Of course, no list of the best productivity systems would be complete without hiring tech talent – and that’s where we can help!
Here at Gun, we help companies of all sizes – from Fortune 500s to startups – hire the best tech talent in days so that you can do more of what matters. Contact us today to learn more!
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