Dreams Start With Patience #44

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I used to be unbelievably unproductive, but now I can't live my day without moving the needle in the right direction.

This week's newsletter is a guide to help you become a bit more productive.

If you:

- Can't focus

- Don't know how to build a meaningful project

- Have poor time management

Keep reading, I promise by the end of this newsletter edition you will be able to get more out of your days.

Principle first:

The key to productivity is time management.

The key to time management that gets shit done is paying yourself first

Just like in the finance world - there's no real reason to save.

At first, there's no real reason to give yourself time before giving it to the rest of the world, you just should.

Productivity becomes a default mode of action for you to create.

Inability to focus:

The complexity required for focus to take place exists in one domain specifically.

Flow science.

This is a state. You can achieve this state consistently

Flow state is when your skill level is equal to the challenge at hand.

If the challenge is too difficult anxiety will occur.

If the challenge is too easy boredom will occur.

Like Papa Bear says, "Just right"

Find the challenge that will elevate your skills and force you into optimal experience

A system for flow state on the regular:

- Create the ideal environment

- Prepare for flow state at the same time every day.

- Know beforehand what you are committing to for the said duration.

I use 90-minute blocks because scientific literature in the performance realm shows that focus and performance falls off of a cliff after 90 minutes.

I create a system of habits before entering this deep work to induce a flow state

Those habits?

-Water (lots of it)

-I listen to the same music (Oppenheimer soundtrack)

-I do a brain dump so I can empty my thoughts and focus on the task at hand before diving into it.

-I drink my coffee and pop a 3mg Zyn (nicotine)

-I set my timer for 90 minutes and open up documents on my computer to work.

Your system for flow will get personalized over time.

You will get better at entering this state of mind the more you intentionally attempt to do so.

There is nothing I love more in my life than deep work from the beauty that is flowing.

I wake up and the only thing I can think about is building.

Focus is your priority in the mortal realm for better productivity.

But let's say you don't know what to build, or what to focus on.

You have a real problem on your hands.

My advice? Start with writing.

Even if your domain of mastery isn't writing.

Writing allows you to entertain your curiosities.

If you're curious about making better websites and design but you don't have that awareness of it:

Writing will get you the clarity you need.

Everyone can benefit from a writing habit - not just writers.

But when writing becomes a habit you are doing just that - you're a writer.

It's funny to me, I never intentionally wanted to BE a writer.

It just happened because it's where I felt the most enjoyment and play.

Spend your resources:

- Time

- Money

- Energy

To get a clearer understanding of your curiosity, passions, and purpose.

Once you get this down, chase mastery and autonomy.

Here's what I use in my every day (software)

- Pomodoro.io

- Notion

- Obsidian

- Adobe Photoshop

- Adobe Premiere

- Canva

- Beehiiv

- X & LinkedIn (for ideas)

I sit down with my coffee and the night before I write 3 clear BIG tasks I want to tackle.

90 minutes on the timer.

Then I open up my Notion -> I create pages based on my interests and projects.

After 90 minutes is up I focus all of my effort on getting away from the work.

You can't control outputs, only inputs.

If you're young, this might take you a while to truly understand.

Your productivity systems and habits will look different than mine.

Personalize them and maximize effectiveness through trial and error in your unique way.

This is what will move the needle in your favor.

The more you do it with positive intention for improvement

The higher quality of the systems will be

The most important piece of the puzzle
for consistent action - time management

Principle:

If you don't create a routine you will be assigned one.

If you don't create a business you will be assigned one to work at.

The most important aspect of life is your ability to show up for yourself.

The core of time management is routine.

Routine starts when you wake up and ends when you go to sleep.

The rise and rest cycle is the foundation for how you operate as an individual, entrepreneur, or creative.

Tip: Set an alarm for the wind-down period (an hour before bedtime)

This forces you to realize "what you should be doing" if you're time is being consumed by other matters.

The same goes for setting up a calendar.

But understand this - productivity is not just about doing more.

It's about doing more "better".

So - awareness is your vessel.

Become aware of the long days and the short months.

Map out your ideal routine and time-block everything on your calendar

(life hack: set your habits on repeat in the calendar)

I'm using the new Notion calendar that gets synced to my Google calendar.

It's a clean aesthetic that helps me see what I need to be doing at any given hour:

- Working out

- Eating

- Cleaning

- Deep work

- Rest

- Learning

Just to name a few of the things on my calendar.

It's easy to get off-track, distractions are everywhere.

This helps me do more, but better.

The fewer distractions the better.

That doesn't mean you have to become a robot though.

You're meant to rest and play too - don't forget that.

Thanks for reading!
Another way I can help you when you are ready.
1. Work with me! Coaching for writing and recording long-form content

2. The Patience Paradigm (curiosity → passion course)
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   Your productivity buddy who wants you to actualize your potential.
   -Zachariah