80/20 Productivity

Episode Summary

Timing is everything! In this episode of the 80/20 Productivity Podcast, we delve deep into the science and art of aligning your activities with your body's natural rhythms to amplify your productivity, health, and overall well-being. Discover how timing isn't just a concept but a fundamental aspect of enhancing your life's quality and efficiency.

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So, let's get into the details:

The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps:

[00:00:00] - The Power of Timing
Explore why timing is critical in maximizing the benefits and performance of your actions. A brief overview of what's to come in the episode.

[00:00:40] - Working With Your Natural Rhythms
Unveil the secrets to boosting your activity performance by syncing with your body's rhythms.

[00:01:40] - Biological Rhythms Explained
Dive into what biological rhythms are, why they exist, and how they impact our daily lives.

[00:02:27] - The Best Times for Daily Activities
A caveat about finding the perfect time for activities that matter and how it's more important to just do them.

[00:03:30] - Timing, Chronos, and Kairos
Understanding the difference between Chronos (quantitative time) and Kairos (opportune time) in the context of productivity.

[00:05:12] - Evolution and Our Biological Clocks
How evolution on Earth influenced the development of our internal clocks.

[00:07:38] - Different Types of Rhythms
Introduction to circadian, diurnal, ultradian, and circa-annual rhythms.

[00:12:14] - Circadian, Diurnal, and Ultradian Rhythms in Daily Life
How these rhythms specifically influence our day-to-day activities and productivity.

[00:18:29] - The Impact of Light and Temperature
The role of light and temperature as key factors in syncing with our natural rhythms.

[00:22:32] - Crafting an Ideal Daily Routine
Step-by-step guide through an optimal daily routine from morning till night based on scientific insights.

[00:38:02] - Time-Restricted Eating and Its Benefits
Discussion on how aligning eating times with your body's clock can enhance health and productivity.

[00:47:18] - Evening Routines and Preparing for Sleep
Tips for winding down effectively, aligning evening activities with natural rhythms for better sleep quality.

[01:08:50] - Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Wrapping up the insights shared in the episode and encouraging listeners to experiment with aligning their routines with their biological rhythms.

Get an extra 20% off a 30-day supply of Magic Mind productivity shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/8020productivity and use CODE: PRD20

My favourite digital productivity tool (get double the trial period for free! No credit card required: https://try.sunsama.com/anthony

Notes and References

Biological Rhythms, Clock, Zeitgebers and Light's Influence on Biological Clocks: Merrow M (2023) Circadian clocks: It’s time for chronobiology. PLoS Biol 21(11): e3002426. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002426

Circadian Rhythms Affect Metabolism: Circadian rhythms significantly impact human metabolism, suggesting optimal meal timing can improve health.

Brown Adipose Tissue Activity: Maaike E. Straat, Rick Hogenboom, Mariëtte R. Boon, Patrick C.N. Rensen, Sander Kooijman, Circadian control of brown adipose tissue, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Volume 1866, Issue 8, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158961

Benefits of Early Time-Restricted Eating: L.S. Chow, E.N.C. Manoogian, A. Alvear, J.G. Fleischer, H. Thor, K. Dietsche, et al.

Time-restricted eating effects on body composition and metabolic measures in humans who are overweight: a feasibility study

Obesity (Silver Spring), 28 (5) (2020), pp. 860-869

Optimal Exercise Timing for Performance: Exercise performance can vary by time of day, influenced by body temperature and hormone levels.

Caffeine Consumption Timing for better sleep: Carissa Gardiner, Jonathon Weakley, Louise M. Burke, Gregory D. Roach, Charli Sargent, Nirav Maniar, Andrew Townshend, Shona L. Halson, The effect of caffeine on subsequent sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Sleep Medicine Reviews, Volume 69, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101764 .

Mental Performance Varies Throughout the Day: Schmidt C, Collette F, Cajochen C, Peigneux P. A time to think: circadian rhythms in human cognition. Cogn Neuropsychol. 2007 Oct;24(7):755-89. doi: 10.1080/02643290701754158. PMID: 18066734.

L-Theanine and Caffeine cognitive effects: Anas Sohail A, Ortiz F, Varghese T, Fabara SP, Batth AS, Sandesara DP, Sabir A, Khurana M, Datta S, Patel UK. The Cognitive-Enhancing Outcomes of Caffeine and L-theanine: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2021 Dec 30;13(12):e20828. doi: 10.7759/cureus.20828. PMID: 35111479; PMCID: PMC8794723

Work/Break Ratio for Productivity: This is an updated article. But it still maintains the benefits of working in cycles of work and rest. https://desktime.com/blog/52-17-updated-people-are-now-working-and-breaking-longer-than-before

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

Episode Summary

Listen to the episode for a comprehensive understanding of why you procrastinate and practical steps to overcome it, especially if you're striving for 80 20 productivity. Say goodbye to the guilt of "laziness" and hello to a more productive and fulfilling approach to your tasks!

Get an extra 20% off a 30-day supply of Magic Mind productivity shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/8020productivity and use CODE: PRD20

So, let's get into the details:

The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps:

Introduction: Debunking the Laziness Myth [00:00:00]

Kick off with a fresh perspective on procrastination, challenging the common notion that it equates to laziness. Uncover the real reasons behind procrastination and how it ties into 80 20 living.

Understanding Procrastination: More Than Just Delay [00:01:00]

Delve into the essence of procrastination. Is it just about delaying tasks, or is there more to this behavior? A deeper look into how procrastination is wired into our nature.

Reason #1: Being Oversubscribed [00:15:00]

Discover how having too much on your plate leads to procrastination and the power of doing less to regain control and focus.

Reason #2: Low Energy Levels [00:20:00]

Explore the impact of physical and mental energy on your productivity. Learn about surprising energy boosters that can help you overcome procrastination.

Reason #3: Lack of Skill [00:29:00]

Unveil how the gap in skills can be a major driver for procrastination and the journey from incompetence to proficiency.

Reason #4: Unclarity of Tasks—and a framework for tackling it [00:35:00]

Understand how unclear tasks fuel procrastination and the framework to gain clarity, drive action, and reduce task aversiveness.

Reason #5: Disorganization [00:43:00]

Tackle procrastination by addressing disorganization.

Closing Thoughts and Takeaways [00:46:00]

Wrap up with key insights and actionable tips to transform your approach to tasks and productivity.

Get an extra 20% off a 30-day supply of Magic Mind productivity shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/8020productivity and use CODE: PRD20

My favourite digital productivity tool (get double the trial period for free! No credit card required: https://try.sunsama.com/anthony

Notes and References

Steel P. The nature of procrastination: a meta-analytic and theoretical review of quintessential self-regulatory failure. Psychol Bull. 2007 Jan;133(1):65-94. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.133.1.65. PMID: 17201571.

Chen, B.-B., & Chang, L. (2016). Procrastination as a Fast Life History Strategy. Evolutionary Psychology, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1474704916630314

van Eerde, W. (2015). Time management and procrastination. In M. D. Mumford, & M. Frese

(Eds.), The psychology of planning in organizations: research and applications (pp. 312-333). (Series in organization and management). Routledge

Kongkeaw C, Dilokthornsakul P, Thanarangsarit P, Limpeanchob N, Norman Scholfield C. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151(1):528-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008. Epub 2013 Nov 16. PMID: 24252493.

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

Episode Summary

In this episode, I tackle some major roadblocks we often stumble upon when setting goals. I talk about how personal values, clear visions, and a solid execution strategy are the perfect combo to make your goals a reality. Drawing from personal stories and backed by science, we explore how to up our goal-setting game. So, let's get into the details:

The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps:

[00:02:38] Why Putting Your Goals Into Words Matters

First, let's talk about the importance of giving voice to your dreams. You'd be amazed at how essential it is to articulate those goals out loud. It's all about getting clear and specific....

[00:05:20] Filling in The Values Gap

Next, I venture into what I call the 'values gap’—the discrepancy between what we want and what truly matters to our core. Here's a hint: when your goals align with your personal values, you're setting yourself up for real success....

[00:08:14] Picture This: Your Vision Matters

Diving deeper, I chat about how translating your values into a tangible vision of the future can be a powerful motivator. It's all about bridging the gap between our aspirations and reality, making us feel more connected to what we want to achieve....

[00:10:50] Let's Get Practical: Planning and Pencil It in

Now, let's put that motivation into action with a bit of solid planning. You'll see how crucial it is to turn your process to achieve your goals into tangible tasks and then make space for them on your calendar. Because trust me, a goal without a plan is just a wish....

[00:14:31] Ignorance Isn’t Bliss: The Knowledge Gap

Lastly, I touch on the knowledge gap. Often, we're held back because we don't have enough information or know-how to get from where we are to where we want to be. Here's where a little wisdom goes a long way in helping us progress towards our goals.

So, are you ready to embark on this goal-setting journey with me? Listen to the episode and consider leaving your comments and feedback. Thanks!

Sponsor:

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

Notes and References

Implementation Intentions 80/20 Productivity Episode: https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-009-zipfs-law-of-least-and-why-laziness-is-good

Additive Bias 80/20 Productivity Episode: https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-018-additive-bias-less-is-more-subtractive-changes

You are what you Eat: A Twin experiment Netflix Documentary: https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/81133260

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

Episode Summary

This episode of the 80 20 Productivity podcast explores the concept of pivotal activities that significantly boost productivity. Doing more with less by focusing on the vital tasks ensures more free time for enjoyment and leisure.

Link to get Sunsama for free: https://try.sunsama.com/anthony

Some of the main points—The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps:

0:50 Understanding the Concept of Pivotal Activities

05:19 The Impact of Pivotal Activities

06:24 Characteristics of Pivotal Activities

10:28 The Role of Effort in Pivotal Activities

15:16 The Multi-dimensionality of Pivotal Activities

24:27 The 80/20 Layer of Pivotal Activities

27:37 Identifying Your Pivotal Activities

28:55 The Impact of Stopping Pivotal Activities

30:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Notes and References

Video on the domino scene in the Robot movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0LNy3au40E

Virtuous Laziness 80/20 Productivity Episode: https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-009-zipfs-law-of-least-and-why-laziness-is-good

Additive Bias 80/20 Productivity Episode: https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-018-additive-bias-less-is-more-subtractive-changes

Multi-faceted benefits of exercie: Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey MD (Author), Eric Hagerman (Contributor)

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

Episode Summary

Is more really more? When it comes to problem-solving, the answer is not so obvious. More often than we might realize, adding things is actually a worse strategy for solving problems than simply taking things away. This episode discusses additive bias and the human tendency to think more is more. Especially, the episode covers why we have this tendency, how it is negatively impacting our problem-solving skills, and importantly, what we might do to overcome it.

Some of the main points—The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps:

What is additive bias, problem solving and how additive bias hampers creative problem solving (5:04)

Legos and why we have additive bias (17:02)

Smart subtractions and Chesterton’s Fence (07:05)

Wondering why we tend to think more is more? Evolution, status quo bias and how organizations are rigged against you (24:23)

The cost of thinking and acting like more is always more (30:06)

Level up your problem-solving—how to beat additive bias and all it’s problems (41:20)

Notes and References

Main paper: People Systematically Overlook Subtractive Changes (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03380-y )

Virtuous Laziness 80/20 Productivity Episode: https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-009-zipfs-law-of-least-and-why-laziness-is-good

Status Quo Bias Research: https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/rzeckhauser/files/status_quo_bias_in_decision_making.pdf

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

Episode Summary

In this episode of 2-minute Tuesday, I share one way to do more in less time using the simple but powerful 2 minute rule.

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

Episode Summary

If you are part of a team—in your job or business—then it might interest you to know about Price’s Law. This law states that 50% of productivity in a group is produced by the square root of the number people in the group.

In 80/20 terms, most of the value in a group (or even company or industry) is produced by a relatively small number of people in the group.

In this episode, explore Price’s law—what it is, how it plays out and how to apply it to your own life for max results.

Some of the main points—The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps:

Definition of the law (2:00)

History and some nerdy stuff (06:34)

Applying Price’s Law—3 key takeaway lessons for Leaders (13:50)

Applying Price’s Law—takeaways and strategies for individuals (20:45)

TLDL and wrap up (29:44)

Notes and References

Derek Price and the origins of Price’s Law:

Little Science, Big Science—book by Derek J Price

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02016632

My content on Parkinson’s Law:

Short video: https://anthonysanni.com/productivity-shorts-been-thinking/parkinsons-law-sense-of-urgency

Article: https://anthonysanni.com/blog/is-this-the-reason-you-are-missing-deadlines

Deep Work book reference: Deep Work, Book by Cal Newport

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

Episode Summary

In this episode of 2-minute Tuesday, I share why it is a good idea to schedule time for family—especially for very busy people.

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

If you are like me, you also have limited resources at your disposal. But often it feels like you are trying to achieve more than you have resources to assign—perhaps against difficult odds.

Force concentration is one of the most central concepts in an 80/20 approach to life, work and doing more by doing less. It is a strategy that armies, naval fleets and even camera companies have used to win impossible battles against bigger, stronger enemies and competitors.

In this episode, I unpack the strategy of force concentration and how we can use it in our personal lives.

Some of the main points—The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps:

The impossible campaign—25 soldiers Vs 100 soldiers

Origins of Force Concentration and applying Lanchester’s Laws (02:20)

Force Concentration in business—How Canon beat Xerox at their own game (and what we can learn from it) (14:20)

The 300 Rule—Lessons from Leonidas and Spartans (15:42)

How force concentration puts a twist in the 80/20 story (21:45)

Applying force concentration the 80/20 way to your life (24:38)

OTAT—One thing at a time and the power of quick wins (25:35)

Innovate and Improve along the way (31:05)

Leave the big boss for last (34:39)

You and what army? (38:50)

TLDL and wrap up (39:49)

Notes and References

Lanchester’s Laws:

https://web.williams.edu/Mathematics/sjmiller/public_html/105Sp11/handouts/Lanchester_MathWarfare.pdf

Lanchester F.W., Mathematics in Warfare in The World of Mathematics, Vol. 4 (1956) Ed. Newman, J.R., Simon and Schuster, 2138–2157; anthologised from Aircraft in Warfare (1916) )

Force Concentration in The Battle of Trafalgar: https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Trafalgar-European-history

The New Lanchester Strategy in Business: New Lanchester Strategy: Sales and Marketing Strategy for the Weak by Shinichi Yano https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1573210048/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i2

Canon Lanchester Strategy: https://customerthink.com/how_canon_used_the_new_lanchester_strategy_to_defeat_xerox/

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few https://anthonysanni.com/the-vital-few-book

Episode Summary

In this episode of 2-minute Tuesday, I share 3 timeless strategies to help you stay on track for your goals

Podcast Episode mentioned: https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-012-implementation-intentions-goal-setting-how-to-achieve-goals

Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few