Prone to Productivity

"Mõistmise aluseks on võrdlus." Hando Runnel

Translation: "Comparison is the source of understanding."

Even though my PCR came back negative on Sunday I still had the symptoms of a cold or you know this virus thing that’s going around. I decided to go to school on Monday, but half-day in I realised that I had overestimated my state of well being. On Tuesday I stayed in, watched Netflix and read books. It was a great idea to stay in since after a little auto test I was positive. As soon as I got that result I went to get PCR’d again. It is the second time in the span of four days that I was hanging in-between two scenarios. Either I would turn out positive which is not very cool or I would be negative and I would have to go to school even though I am sick. During those waits for test results it feels like time does not really exist. The outcome is so radically different for each case it is overwhelming to consider either.

This mix overwhelmingness and sickness threw me into watching series, something that requires the least thinking. I did manage to read something in-between, but nothing related to school. At the moment I am reading Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons. I discussed Dan Brown’s style with my mother and we both expressed our thoughts on his ability to make the reader feel like an erudite. When reading his works, it feels like I know all about the artists of Renaissance and their artworks, the papacy, the clergy and the Bible. Since we have a thirst for the recognition of our knowledge rooted in us, it is understandable why his works are so attractive.

Anyway, I officially tested positive on Wednesday, but I was already incapacitated from the start of the week so I have not gotten much done. This is okay though since I am sick. It’s just that I do not really get sick, I can catch a cold but they usually do not last nor have an impact on my day-to-day life. But with this virus I have some kind of tiredness that I just cannot rid myself of. It is quite horrible since the whole week I was thinking about how much work I will have to get back to, while watching Netflix. I will say I have gotten back some quality movie time: I watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith and The Da Vinci Code in one sitting and I have discovered new cool series like Castlevania.

For this week’s suggestion I am trying something new. I have always liked to entertain myself with information feeds that bring value so this time I will try to provide it myself.

Here are a few tips on creating a to-do list, the pillar of productivity:

Over the last two years I have learned a lot about living a more productive and thus meaningful life by reading books, listening to podcasts and watching videos on the subject. Even though productivity is work related terminology, it is not to be confused with the grind culture. It can be a tool for the grind culture, but it is misused to prioritise material return above all. The tool can and should be used with more sanity: it can help us be more lucid and present, to get work done and enjoy the world that surrounds us.

It’s a lot of theory so let’s get to the more practical side of things by making systems that can save us time. As James Clear said: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” So with that in mind when having functional systems one can only fall so far. Everyone has different preferences on the systems they use or would consider using, but there are a few that I strongly advise: a calendar, a to-do list and a note taking system. These are simple yet incredibly powerful tools for everyone (if used correctly).

All three used simultaneously give the best results. Nonetheless implementing one of them well is already of great help. If starting out I suggest going for the to-do list first since it is most universal. There are only a few things to keep in mind when creating your own:

• Make subcategories and include an “inbox”

Create separate to-do lists for work, school and your personal life. The Inbox is for quick-fire additions, it is a space for writing down anything that comes to mind at any moment. Those quick thoughts have to be placed correctly in their category later on, but it’s the fact that they are captured that is most important.

• Make it visible

The to-do list is no use if it is not seen and used. It has to be visible and tangible. When using physical to-do lists try to keep them in visible places, not hidden away. Same goes for online versions. Keep them on your Home Screen or even better as a huge widget that can not be missed.

• Make it clear

Every time a task is set it has to be clear as day. There can not be any doubt about the next action to-do. For example: “Study for chemistry” is unclear, not actionable enough thus it creates unneeded friction to get to the task at hand. It is better to break it down. So in this case it is better to say “Make flash cards for chapter 1 of chemical kinetics”.

• Let it evolve

Do not try to keep your to-do list chained. It is important to let it evolve as life goes on. Categories change, goals change and most of all: we change. If unchanged, the system is no use since it is for someone who does not exist anymore.

To-do lists can be just jotted down on a piece of paper, but I like to have it accessible at all times through my phone. Here are some suggestions of apps:

1) Todoist

The app I use personally. There is a free version but after trying out the premium I could not let it go. It is compatible with all platforms and is very efficient.

2) TeuxDeux

An app for the minimalists out there.

3) Create your own!

Use note taking apps like Notion to integrate a to-do list. There are thousands of free templates to use. Here's one that I made.

P.S Let me know what You think of this format by answering to the email or contacting me by other channels like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook

See You next week!