Before Breakfast

Make better to-do lists, with Charlie Gilkey

7 snips
Aug 20, 2025
Charlie Gilkey, owner of Productive Flourishing and author, dives into maximizing productivity through effective to-do lists. He shares insightful strategies for crafting impactful lists, highlighting the importance of verb-noun clarity and structured routines. The conversation explores the need for balance in productivity, encouraging rejuvenation through breaks and movement. Gilkey also introduces the 'five projects rule' to prioritize meaningful tasks, fostering a healthier approach to daily life and reducing anxiety over unrealistic expectations.
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INSIGHT

Productivity Is A Team Sport

  • Productivity is social and depends on teams, families, and institutions, not just individual effort.
  • Thriving requires aligning individual action with social and economic contexts.
ADVICE

Time Blocks For Different Work Types

  • Schedule 90–120 minute focus and social blocks, and 30–60 minute admin blocks to match how tasks flow.
  • Use recovery blocks away from screens and with movement to restore energy between work sessions.
ADVICE

Design Recovery Blocks That Actually Restore

  • Make recovery blocks deliberately different from work: go outside, move, or engage in low‑thinking activities away from screens.
  • Tailor recovery activities to what actually restores you rather than following others' routines.
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