In this engaging discussion, Marc Zao-Sanders, CEO of filtered.com and a seasoned expert in productivity, shares his insights on breaking free from overwhelm. He introduces timeboxing as a powerful strategy for planning your day with intention and effectively pruning your to-do list. Listeners will learn the art of prioritization and the importance of choosing breaks to boost overall productivity. With over ten years of practicing timeboxing, Marc provides actionable tips to help regain control over tasks and enhance emotional well-being.
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insights INSIGHT
Time Management's Crucial Role
Managing your time effectively is crucial yet often overlooked in everyday work and life.
Time management impacts all other good habits and practices, making it foundational to productivity.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Marc’s Personal Timeboxing Journey
Marc used an Excel daily work plan early in his career to gain control and improve confidence.
He evolved this into timeboxing after reading "Why To-Do Lists Don’t Work" and refined it over years.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Daily 15-Minute Timeboxing
Spend 15 minutes daily planning your day by deciding what to do, when to do it, and focusing on one thing at a time.
Aim to do each task to a good enough level, avoiding perfectionism and multi-tasking.
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Timeboxing by Marc Zao-Sanders offers a practical approach to managing time by dedicating specific time slots to single tasks, helping individuals increase productivity and reduce distractions in a world filled with constant demands on their attention. The book provides guidance on how to implement this technique effectively, drawing on examples from notable figures like Carl Jung and Bill Gates.
The One Thing
The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
Jay Papasan
Gary Keller
The book discusses the benefits of prioritizing a single task and provides strategies for overcoming distractions, building productive habits, and maintaining focus. It challenges common productivity myths such as multitasking and the idea of a balanced life, and introduces the 'Focusing Question': 'What's the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?' The authors also discuss time blocking, habit-building, and aligning short-term actions with long-term goals to achieve success in various aspects of life[1][3][5].
Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
Brian Tracy
In *Eat That Frog*, Brian Tracy provides a comprehensive approach to managing time and prioritizing tasks effectively. The book uses the metaphor of 'eating a frog' to tackle the most challenging tasks first, ensuring maximum productivity and impact. It includes strategies for maintaining focus in a world filled with distractions and offers practical advice on using technology to enhance productivity.
The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand
Published in 1943, 'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand tells the story of Howard Roark, a young and innovative architect who refuses to compromise his artistic vision despite the opposition from society. The novel explores themes of individualism, egoism, and the conflict between those who think for themselves (the 'first-handers') and those who follow the opinions of others (the 'second-handers'). It also delves into the lives of other characters such as Dominique Francon, Peter Keating, Ellsworth Toohey, and Gail Wynand, each representing different aspects of Rand's philosophical ideas. The book is a defense of egoism and individualism, presenting a radical rethinking of basic moral concepts and challenging conventional notions of selfishness and altruism[2][3][5].
Marc Zao-Sanders reveals the key to breaking the cycle of overwhelm with a power tool that makes a huge difference.
— YOU’LL LEARN —
1) How to prune your to-do list effectively
2) How to use timeboxing to plan your day with intention
Marc Zao-Sanders is the CEO and co-founder of filtered.com, a learning tech company. He regularly writes about algorithms, learning and productivity in Scientific American, Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review. He has followed the practice of timeboxing for over ten years. He lives in London.
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