This document provides 10 tips for improving productivity: 1. Analyze how you spend your time using tools like RescueTime to identify productivity leaks. 2. Implement a methodology like GTD to organize tasks into projects, contexts, and timelines. 3. Use a task management tool you trust like Todoist to capture and track tasks on desktop and mobile. 4. Take care of your health with enough sleep, exercise, and good diet to support your mental performance.

1. 10 Life Hacks For
Better Productivity
Simon Guest

2. Introduction
• For most of us, time is our most precious commodity
• Yet, most of us, don't use it well.
• Consume vs. create mentality
• We're busy, but we're not productive
• Top ten things that have helped me become more
productive over my career

3. 10. Where is Your Time Going?
• Analyze your calendar - pie chart of your time
• Use RescueTime or similar tool
• How much time doing work vs. Facebook?

4. 9. Implement Methodology
• Most people do not have a system for managing their
workload
• Many people still carry everything in their head
• Learn methodology such as GTD (Getting Things Done) from
David Allen
• 10 minutes to clear your head

5. 9. Implement Methodology
• Everything has a project, context, and if applicable, timeline
• For example, "Speak to Jake about presentation"
#PragueVisit @jake !fri
• Filter
• What do I need to do for my visit to Prague?
• What do I need to speak to Jake about?
• What do I need to do before the end of the week?

6. 8. Use a Tool to Help
• Many different task lists around
• Experiment with the ones that work with you
• The most important things is that you trust it
• My favorite is Todoist
• (but I've used EverNote, TaskPaper, Outlook)

7. 7. Don't Stop at Desktop App
• The best ideas come at some really random times
• Shower, in bed, at grocery store, etc.
• Pen and paper by the bed
• I thought of this presentation at 5.20am on Sunday!
• Use todoist on phone (or email/call myself) when I'm on the
road
• Key is to get it into your system reliably

8. 6. Apply Agile Principles to Your
Work Week
• Weekly sprint to plan week
• Daily "standup" to check task list
• Regular backlog refinement
• Whenever I feel things are out of control

9. 5. Learn to Delegate
• If there is nothing to learn, and your participation is non
critical, delegate
• Not direct order, but maybe an opportunity for someone
more junior to learn?
• Delegate using SMART technique
• Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely

10. 4. Shortcut Everything
• What are your mundane tasks?
• Seconds add up to hours lost
• Common tools are so powerful, but underused most of the
time
• You can script most of the things that you commonly do
• Learn keyboard shortcuts for everything
• Especially those who use IDEs!

11. 4. Shortcut Everything
• How quick can you:
• Set a timer?
• Find someone in the GAL and send them an email?
• Look up a previous order from Amazon?
• Create a calendar appointment for next Friday?
• Subsitute text in an email

12. 3. Structure Your Day
• When do you work your best? Morning or Afternoon?
• Structure the day accordingly, block time for focused
work
• Dedicated time for catching up with news/email/slack
• Then shut off all notifications while you work
• For creative/development time, make sure you take breaks
• Pomodoro Technique

13. 2. What's Your Hourly Rate?
• Set yourself an hourly rate based on your income level
• For example, $25 per hour
• Would you pay $100 to attend that 4 hour meeting?

14. 1. Mind/Body Connection
• The mind cannot function effectively without good health
• Sleep: Minimum of 8 hours
• Exercise: Every other day
• Food: Diet that improves your mental performance
• Don't be frightened to prioritize your health
• Avoid the mindset that 80 hour work week makes you a
hero

15. Top Ten Again
• 10. Where is Your Time Going?
• 9. Implement Methodology
• 8. Use a Tool to Help
• 7. Don't Stop at Desktop App
• 6. Apply Agile Principles to Your Day

16. Top Ten Again
• 5. Learn to Delegate
• 4. Shortcut Everything
• 3. Structure Your day
• 2. What's Your Hourly Rate?
• 1. Mind/Body Connection

17. Thank you!