Dreams Start With Patience #21

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Time to learn:

This week’s newsletter will contain more data points and personal perspectives on productivity insights from two figures (Sam and Andrew) I admire.

Anybody who is interested in learning more about productivity from the viewpoint of a scientific basis will benefit from reading this.

By the end of this newsletter you will have more tools at your disposal to engage with the world at an improved fashion of higher productivity workflows.

I have worked with dozens of young creatives in order to expand their thinking about creativity and productivity. I use this information along with proven systems to optimize our thinking and execution.

Let’s dive into it:

The Most Ignored Element Of Productivity

“It doesn’t matter how fast you move if it’s in a worthless direction.”
-Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI “CHATGPT and DALLE-2 Inventors”)

The significant power we hold as productive beings is in our ability to light the path for ourselves.

Nobody is coming to save you.
You must become self-reliant in forging your own path in order to achieve some level of success.
Productivity is more about the ability to direct attention to projects and habits that are going to benefit you in the long run.

Your life is the biggest project you will ever face - make sure you are treading in a worthwhile direction.

“I make sure to leave enough time in my schedule to think about what to work on. The best ways for me to do this are reading books, hanging out with interesting people, and spending time in nature.”
-Sam Altman

3 Pillars of Prioritization
(The Altman Method)

1. “Make sure to get the important shit done”
   

   Doing the hardest thing first is always a great way to start the week.
   This is key to destroying procrastination.
   Discover a way to implement fear and deadlines into your time-blocking system.
   
   Leverage your important projects early and fast - generating momentum by knocking down the giants first will help you become more productive.
   

2. “Don’t waste time on stupid shit”
   
   The methods and tactics available to us today are in the millions - without learning foundational teachings first you do not have context in order to learn properly.
   Majority of things on the internet are distractions.
   Act accordingly - prioritize your projects and goals above all else.
   
   I’m sure even the greatest of minds on this planet to overcome procrastination and lack of prioritization.
   

3. “Make a lot of lists”
   
   The first time in history humans write with their thumbs rather than their hands and wrists.
   Write things out with a pen or pencil and you will retain the information much better.
   Goal planning and task structures are internalized when written down with pen and paper.
   
   “I prefer lists written down on paper. It’s easy to add and remove tasks.” -Altman
   
   
   Bonus tip: Make lists in a structure for daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. Learn to refine these lists over time. Everything worthwhile is just great iteration.

The Biology Of Goal Setting
(Andrew Huberman)

The parts of the brain involved in the neurocircuitry of goal setting and pursuit:

Basal ganglia (go and no go; action initiating or action stopping)
Lateral pre-frontal cortex (immediate and long term planning)
Orbital frontal cortex (multi-tasking; evaluation of our current arousal and emotional state)

With all goals, are we attempting to learn something new? Or are we attempting to withhold a set of actions.

Ask yourself - what goal do you want to pursue?

The more goals you have - the more likely you are to not achieve said goals.
For beginners, start with 1 goal in mind.
It’s simple - write out the things that you want (circle them) then cross out the things you are willing to put off.

Choosing one priority will result in an increased perceived likelihood of success.

Bonus tip: Scientific data shows the larger and more difficult goal you pursue the more likely you are to achieve that goal.
Bigger goal = more success
If a goal is too easy to achieve - you will not achieve it (our mind and body require a shift in neuroplasticity - which will stem from states of discomfort)

The Backbone of Productivity is Focus

The ability to focus is your superpower.

Many people do not realize our visual system is responsible for our capacity to concentrate.
Distractibility starts when you veer off into another direction (notifications and advertisements are visual).
The mastery of focus starts with staring at an individual spot for multiple minutes - yes I promise I’m not bullshitting you.

Interesting fact - our eyeballs are just parts of the brain that protruded outwards during development. The retina is made of brain tissue.

Thanks for reading!
Another way I can help you when you are ready.
Learn how to optimize creativity and productivity directly from me

Your creative buddy who can’t keep getting distracted during a conversation about focus.
-Zachariah