Christopher DeCaro outlines four steps to increase productivity: 1) capture tasks, 2) process tasks by organizing them, 3) do tasks, and 4) improve by reviewing and learning. He provides tips for improving productivity such as understanding goals, focusing on the most important tasks, working in phases, and using downtime productively. DeCaro recommends capturing all tasks, understanding what you want to accomplish, and adjusting your attitude to work more efficiently.

1. Howdy.

2. I’m Christopher
DeCaro.
Creative Director at Kneadle.

3. I like to get
things done.
True story.

4. Four steps to
productive glory.
That’s right — just four.

5. 1. Capture.
If you don’t capture it, you
can’t remember to do it.

6. 2. Process.
Decide where things go — quickly.

7. 3. Do.
Almost as simple as it sounds.

8. 4. Improve.
Review, learn and get better.

9. Tips, Tricks
& Pitfalls.

10. Busy is not
the same as
productive.
It’s a trick.

11. Complexity
is fragile.
Simplicity is preparing for success.

12. You can’t trust
your brain.
It has bad timing and
it’s not really on your side.

13. Write it all down.
Nothing bad can come of this, but
not doing it — oh, man.

14. You need to
understand it.
If you don’t know what it is, it
shouldn’t be on your task list.

15. You need to
understand you.
Making choices without understanding
your goals and values is a recipe
for failure and burnout.

16. You don’t
have to do it.
No one has a gun to your head.

17. Not all things
are equal.
Remember 80/20 as you go along.

18. Making time.
Stealing and fasting.

19. Work in phases
and steps.
All-or-nothing thinking typically
results in nothing happening.

20. Learn to work
with interruptions.
You must be interruptible — lists,
flags and being methodical.

21. Good enough is
good enough.
Save perfection for where it is needed.

22. Kill your TV.
No more television — none, ever.

23. Stage an
Internet blackout.
Learn to unplug.

24. Multitasking
is for fools.
Singletasking gets more done.

25. Bigger
is better.
Buy a bigger monitor
and get more done.

26. You can’t
do a project.
You can only do a task.

27. Don’t waste
moments.
Use your down and in-between time.

28. Defensive living.
Looking at the road ahead.

29. Do it right,
not quick.
It’s faster to do it right once
than fast twice.

30. Don’t confuse
rules with
preferences.
Tasks can be done in any order.

31. Just-in-time is
sometimes just
enough.
Preparing is not always required.

32. Adjust your
attitude.
Your perception is
slowing you down.

33. My simple tools.
Index cards, composition books and email.

34. Required reading.
Getting Things Done by David Allen.
4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss.
7 Habits by Stephen Covey.

35. Thank you.