How I Consistently Study with a Full Time Job: My Scheduling Formula

Elizabeth Filips
17 May 202214:15
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script details the speaker's personal productivity strategies, honed while juggling multiple jobs and academic pursuits in 2019. The speaker shares time management tips, including the three-part daily schedule, the 'Mission Impossible' rule, the Pareto Principle, and the importance of starting the day with something enjoyable. They emphasize the balance between work and fun, advocating for a calendar that not only schedules tasks but also incorporates enjoyable activities to maintain motivation and prevent burnout.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“… The speaker managed to balance five part-time jobs and two and a half degrees simultaneously by developing their own time management techniques, which later aligned with expert advice.
  • 🌟 They emphasize the importance of structuring the day into three parts based on energy levels and the power of temptation, which diminishes as the day progresses.
  • πŸ”‹ The first part of the day is best for high-energy, high-temptation tasks that require significant mental or physical effort and are prone to procrastination.
  • πŸ‹οΈβ€β™‚οΈ The second part is for activities that still require high energy but less willpower, such as enjoyable exercises or socializing.
  • πŸŒ™ The final part of the day is reserved for low-energy tasks and personal creative work, avoiding scheduling major or unenjoyable tasks for when energy is lowest.
  • 🎯 The 'Mission Impossible' rule suggests setting reminders for large projects to keep them in mind subconsciously, even if not actively working on them.
  • 🚫 Embracing the idea of not completing all tasks and using the calendar as a guide rather than a strict to-do list can reduce stress and increase productivity.
  • πŸ“‰ The Parkinson's Law, or PR rule, highlights that work expands to fill the time allocated, advocating for setting strict deadlines to enhance productivity.
  • πŸŒ… The 'Morning Story' rule, inspired by Jackson Michael, encourages starting the day with an enjoyable activity to set a positive tone for the day.
  • πŸŽ‰ The 'Fun Factor' is crucial; scheduling enjoyable activities ensures a balance between work and personal life, contributing to overall well-being.
  • πŸ“ Strategic overplanning involves externalizing tasks and events to free up mental space and ensure important tasks are not forgotten.
Q & A
  • What was the speaker's daily routine like in 2019?

    -In 2019, the speaker was managing five part-time jobs and studying two and a half degrees simultaneously, which they found to be a blissful time before they were aware of the productivity video sphere.

  • How does the speaker categorize their day for scheduling purposes?

    -The speaker divides their day into three main parts based on energy levels and the power of temptation, which diminishes throughout the day.

  • What does the speaker consider as high-energy and high-temptation tasks?

    -High-energy and high-temptation tasks are those that require a lot of brain or physical power and are easily procrastinated, such as studying for an exam or working on a large project.

  • How does the 'Mission Impossible' rule apply to the speaker's approach to task management?

    -The 'Mission Impossible' rule suggests that starting a task but not finishing it keeps the brain occupied with it, which the speaker uses to their advantage by setting reminders for large projects in their calendar.

  • What is the 'PR Rule' and how does the speaker use it in their calendar planning?

    -The 'PR Rule', derived from Parkinson and Roosevelt, states that work expands to fill the time allocated to it. The speaker uses it by setting strict deadlines for tasks, which can lead to increased productivity.

  • Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of not overbooking their calendar with all the steps of a task?

    -Overbooking with all the steps can lead to procrastination and less productivity. Instead, the speaker prefers to book only the finished product, giving themselves the freedom to complete the task at their own pace.

  • What is the 'Morning Story' rule and how does it influence the speaker's morning routine?

    -The 'Morning Story' rule, inspired by Jackson Mihai, suggests starting the day with something one looks forward to. The speaker incorporates this by planning an enjoyable morning activity, like a slow breakfast, to set a positive tone for the day.

  • What does the speaker mean by the 'Fun Factor' in their calendar?

    -The 'Fun Factor' refers to the speaker's practice of scheduling enjoyable activities or social events in their calendar to maintain a balance between work and personal life.

  • How does the speaker approach strategic overplanning in their calendar?

    -The speaker uses strategic overplanning by writing down all the tasks and activities they want to do, even if they are far in the future, to relieve their brain of memorization and increase the likelihood of completing them.

  • What documentary does the speaker recommend for better understanding the brain?

    -The speaker recommends 'The Curious Brain' on CuriosityStream, a documentary series that explores different aspects of how the brain works.

  • How does the speaker view the ideal calendar?

    -The speaker believes the ideal calendar is having no calendar at all. However, if one is necessary due to life circumstances, they provide tips to make it as effective and enjoyable as possible.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“… Mastering Time Management: A Personal Approach

The speaker reflects on their experience managing an intense schedule in 2019, juggling multiple jobs and degrees without the aid of productivity tools. They discovered that their self-devised time management strategies aligned closely with expert advice. The summary outlines their methodical approach to planning a busy week, emphasizing the importance of aligning tasks with energy levels and resistance to temptation throughout the day. The speaker introduces the 'three-part split' of daily activities based on energy and temptation, advocating for the prioritization of high-energy, high-temptation tasks early in the day, followed by enjoyable high-energy tasks, and ending with low-energy personal projects.

05:02
πŸ“š Embracing the 'Mission Impossible' and Parkinson's Rule

This paragraph delves into the 'Mission Impossible' rule, where the speaker acknowledges the psychological impact of unfinished tasks on the brain, drawing from a 1927 study by Narc siegnarck. They suggest using this phenomenon to one's advantage by setting reminders for large projects, even without strict deadlines, to keep them at the forefront of the mind. The speaker also discusses the Parkinson's Rule, which posits that work expands to fill the time allocated, recommending the setting of tight deadlines to increase productivity. They share personal strategies such as booking only the end goal in the calendar to maintain freedom and focus, leading to more efficient completion of tasks.

10:03
πŸŒ… The Morning Story Rule and the Importance of Enjoyment

The speaker introduces the 'Morning Story' rule, inspired by Jackson Mihai, which emphasizes the benefits of starting the day with an enjoyable activity to set a positive tone. They discuss the impact of this habit on overall life satisfaction and productivity, suggesting that it can lead to a life filled with anticipated pleasures. The paragraph also touches on the 'fun factor,' urging the inclusion of social and leisure activities in one's calendar to maintain a balance and prevent burnout. The speaker shares personal anecdotes about ensuring fun activities are scheduled and the positive influence this has on their perception and experience of their calendar.

🎯 Strategic Overplanning and Externalizing Thoughts

In the final paragraph, the speaker discusses the concept of strategic overplanning, suggesting that it helps to alleviate cognitive load by externalizing tasks and reminders. They advocate for the use of a calendar as a comprehensive life organizer, not just for work but also for personal engagements and goals. The speaker also mentions the importance of not overlooking small but significant tasks, using the calendar to ensure they are not forgotten. They conclude by recommending a documentary on the brain for further insights into optimizing personal productivity and understanding how the mind works.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Productivity
Productivity refers to the efficiency with which an individual or system performs tasks and achieves goals. In the context of the video, it is the central theme as the speaker discusses personal strategies for managing time and tasks effectively, despite having a busy schedule. The speaker's approach to productivity involves self-developed techniques, which were later found to align with expert advice.
πŸ’‘Calendar
A calendar, in this video, is a tool for scheduling and organizing tasks and activities. The speaker emphasizes the importance of calendar planning for maintaining a balance between work and personal life. The calendar is used to allocate time for high-energy tasks, resist procrastination, and ensure that enjoyable activities are not neglected.
πŸ’‘Part-time Jobs
Part-time jobs are positions that require fewer hours of work per week than full-time employment. The speaker mentions working five part-time jobs simultaneously in 2019, which contributed to a busy schedule and necessitated effective time management strategies. These jobs are an example of the high workload the speaker managed using their calendar system.
πŸ’‘Degrees
In the script, degrees refer to academic qualifications or programs of study. The speaker was studying two and a half degrees at the same time, adding to their workload. This further illustrates the complexity of the speaker's schedule and the need for a well-organized calendar to juggle education alongside multiple jobs.
πŸ’‘Trial and Error
Trial and error is a method of problem-solving where solutions are discovered by trying out different methods and learning from the outcomes. The speaker mentions using trial and error to develop personal time management techniques before becoming familiar with productivity literature and expert formulas.
πŸ’‘Energy Levels
Energy levels, in the context of the video, refer to the amount of physical and mental stamina one has throughout the day. The speaker discusses the natural decline of energy levels as part of their daily planning strategy, scheduling high-energy tasks for when they are most alert and capable.
πŸ’‘Temptation
Temptation, as used in the script, is the lure of distractions or less important tasks that can detract from completing more critical work. The speaker talks about the increasing power of temptation as the day progresses and how it influences the scheduling of tasks to avoid procrastination.
πŸ’‘Mission Impossible Rule
The 'Mission Impossible Rule' is a personal productivity hack mentioned by the speaker, suggesting that by setting unrealistic deadlines, one can stimulate the brain to focus and complete tasks more efficiently. It is related to the script's theme by illustrating a technique for overcoming procrastination and making progress on large projects.
πŸ’‘PR Rule
The 'PR Rule' stands for Parkinson's Law and the Roosevelt Effect, stating that 'work expands to fill the time allocated for its completion.' The speaker uses this rule to set strict deadlines for tasks, which can lead to increased productivity by creating a sense of urgency without over-scheduling.
πŸ’‘Morning Routine
A morning routine is a sequence of activities done at the start of the day to set a positive tone for the rest of the day. The speaker emphasizes the importance of starting the day with an enjoyable activity, which can improve overall life satisfaction and productivity, as suggested by Jackson Mihai.
πŸ’‘Fun Factor
The 'Fun Factor' is the speaker's term for ensuring that enjoyable and social activities are included in one's schedule. It is related to the video's theme by highlighting the importance of balance in a busy life. The speaker intentionally schedules fun activities to prevent burnout and maintain a positive outlook on life.
Highlights

The speaker managed five part-time jobs and two and a half degrees simultaneously in 2019, using self-developed time management techniques.

The speaker's personal time management strategies were found to be similar to those recommended by experts and literature.

The importance of planning a calendar from the bottom up for a busy week is emphasized.

The ideal calendar, according to the speaker, is having no calendar at all, but tips are provided for those who need one.

The concept of a three-part split for the day based on energy levels and the power of temptation is introduced.

High-energy, high-temptation tasks should be scheduled first thing in the day.

The 'Mission Impossible' rule suggests using calendar reminders for large projects to keep them in mind subconsciously.

The PR (Parkinson-Roosevelt) rule is discussed, stating that work expands to fill the time allocated, advocating for strict deadlines.

The speaker recommends scheduling only the finished product, not the steps, to avoid an overly full calendar.

The Morning Story rule encourages starting the day with an enjoyable activity to set a positive tone.

The Fun Factor is highlighted as essential for a balanced life, with the speaker scheduling fun activities into their calendar.

Strategic overplanning is suggested as a method to remember important tasks and reduce mental load.

The documentary 'The Curious Brain' on CuriosityStream is recommended for those interested in understanding the brain better.

CuriosityStream and Nebula are offered as platforms for educational content, with a discount link provided in the description.

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of kindness to oneself and others.

Transcripts
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