How To Get Sh*t Done Without Being Busy

The joy of an unscheduled life (00:00:00)

• The unscheduled life means doing the most important or interesting thing right now, not what was planned weeks ago.
• Delete everything from your calendar and live in the moment.
• Inspiration is perishable, so act on it immediately.

Maker vs manager schedule (00:01:56)

• Read the Paul Graham post "Maker versus Manager Schedule" to understand the different work styles.
• As a maker, you need blocks of time to focus on creative work.
• Sean is able to live an unscheduled life because he is no longer a manager and has control over his time.

Working in intentional spaces (00:02:32)

• Break your day into Sprints of 90 minutes to 2 hours.
• During a Sprint, work on the most interesting or important thing that requires your full creative attention.
• Designate specific places in your home for different types of work and activities.
• Use a timer to stay focused and avoid distractions during Sprints.

Living without a to-do list (00:04:59)

• Instead of using a to-do list, focus on your "one big thing" for the day.
• Ask yourself: "What's the one thing that, if I accomplished it today, would make today a win?"
• Keep a notebook or digital tool to jot down ideas and tasks as they come to mind.

Reverse engineer your ideal day (00:05:27)

• Set out what your ideal day would look like.
• Prioritize the one big thing that would make your day a win.
• Anything else you accomplish that day is a bonus.
• If you're a manager or have a lot of meetings, it may be harder to create open space for yourself.
• Decide how you want your life to be and work towards that.
• Experiment with different methods to find what works for you.
• Communicate your work style to your boss and team.

Show me your calendar and I'll show you your priorities (00:08:26)

• The speaker uses their calendar to show their priorities.
• They use a drag-and-drop landing page builder to create landing pages.
• They share their landing pages on social media and track the revenue generated from each platform.
• They analyze the results to determine which platforms are most effective and adjust their strategy accordingly.
• The speaker recommends using a landing page builder to create landing pages.
• They provide a link in the description of the video where viewers can get started.

Name your top 3 (quarterly) (00:09:19)

• Prioritize your top 3 quarterly goals.
• Avoid overcommitting by saying no to most things or scheduling meetings far in advance.
• Regularly review your Google calendar to ensure your priorities are reflected in your schedule.
• Your Google calendar reflects your priorities.
• If your calendar is filled with unimportant tasks, your priorities are not aligned with your goals.
• Take a screenshot of your calendar and assess your priorities from an outsider's perspective.

Disable distractions (00:12:56)

• Ask yourself what actually matters and what you are doing.
• Ensure your priorities align with your calendar.
• Reflect on whether you are living up to your word and doing what you said you would do.
• Turn off notifications for non-essential apps and platforms to minimize distractions.
• Adopt an "offense, not defense" philosophy to focus on what's important to you.

Be effective, not efficient (00:13:33)

• Prioritize effectiveness over efficiency.
• Avoid mistaking motion for progress.
• Focus on identifying the right things to spend your energy on, even if it takes time.
• Don't be afraid to spend more time on the right thing, even if it means being less efficient overall.

Do the big thing first (00:14:55)

• Start your day with the most important task (the "big thing").
• Resist the urge to procrastinate on significant tasks.
• Recognize that completing the big thing first can reduce the number of things you need to do overall.

No loser works out at 7:00 am (00:16:30)

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing and completing the most important task first thing in the morning.
• This approach helps avoid the feeling of needing to work excessively long hours.
• The speaker mentions Sahill Bloom as an inspiration for his morning workout routine.
• The speaker suggests repeating the phrase "big thing first thing" to reinforce the habit of prioritizing important tasks.
• Completing the most important task early in the day provides a sense of accomplishment and reduces the need for excessive work later.

The barbell strategy for building relationships (00:17:47)

• The author found that 30-minute Zoom calls were not fulfilling and felt like "death by a thousand 30-minute Zooms".
• The author adopted the "barbell strategy" from his friend John Kugen, which involves having many quick text message relationships and occasionally spending a full day with someone.
• The author suggests clearing your calendar for the entire day when spending time with someone to fully engage with them.

No as a default mode (00:20:17)

• The author works out first thing in the morning and believes that it is a habit of healthy people.
• The author does not shower between his workout and podcast recording.
• The author prefers to spend half a day with someone rather than have multiple 30-minute Zoom calls.

Accepting the trade-offs (00:21:04)

• Prioritize deep and meaningful experiences over superficial interactions, and avoid overcommitting by setting clear boundaries.
• Be aware of the trade-offs between an unscheduled life and meeting others' expectations, and don't feel obligated to respond to every message or request.
• Charisma can help mitigate the negative consequences of not always being available.
• The advice given may not work for everyone, as it depends on individual circumstances and preferences.
• Achieving the desired lifestyle requires effort, planning, and a long-term commitment.