- Level Up
- Posts
- Lazy Man's Guide to Productivity
In partnership with
Learn AI in 5 minutes a day
What’s the secret to staying ahead of the curve in the world of AI? Information. Luckily, you can join 800,000+ early adopters reading The Rundown AI — the free newsletter that makes you smarter on AI with just a 5-minute read per day.
So here’s the thing.
People often assume I’m incredibly busy, commenting on my packed schedule or thanking me for taking time out of my "hectic" day. The truth? I’m lazy. Fiercely protective of my time.
I’m not afraid to say "no" because I value having space for myself—and that’s okay.
Sure, there are days I go overboard, working late into the night. But that’s driven by how I feel, not some relentless productivity grind.
Productivity vs. Effectiveness
Let’s break down productivity for a second. By definition:
If output is work done, then all those strategies like time-blocking and to-do lists make sense. They help us optimise time spent.
But here’s the question: does productivity even matter?
What I care about more is effectiveness—how much closer I’m getting to my goals based on the work I put in.
I’d rather spend 1 hour on meaningful work than waste 12 hours on busy work that feels productive but moves the needle zero inches.
The problem? People are addicted to momentum. It feels great to cross things off a list, even if those tasks aren’t strategically important. It’s a psychological trick.
For instance, you might start your day by checking emails. Feels good, right? But is it the best way to spend your limited energy? Probably not.
How I Stay Effective
Here’s what works for me:
1. Create a Simple Task Funnel
Life throws tasks at you constantly—emails, Slack messages, WhatsApp pings. If your system for tracking them is clunky, it’ll fall apart.
I keep mine simple and versatile:
Saved messages in Slack and starred emails flow automatically into my to-do list app via automation.
WhatsApp tasks? They land in Apple Notes, which I review daily and transfer to my to-do list.
It’s not fancy, but it works. And that’s the point: use whatever system you’ll stick to.
2. Spend Time on Task Selection
Doing work feels good, but choosing the right work feels better.
I constantly ask my team (and myself):
“What’s the highest-leverage thing you could be doing right now?”
Take a few extra minutes to prioritise. Avoid busy work. Focus on what matters most.
3. Work with Your Psychology
You know yourself better than any productivity guru. Despite me saying you should be effective, sometimes being effective includes working with your psyche to build momentum or energy for yourself.
Maybe you thrive by tackling quick, easy wins to build momentum.
Or maybe you prefer starting with the hardest task first to feel unstoppable.
There’s no “one right way.” Personally, I lean into easy wins to get rolling—even if some influencers might scoff. This in turn makes me more effective by allowing me to be in the right space to tackle the highest leverage task.
4. Master the 2-Minute Rule
If something takes less than 2 minutes to complete, do it immediately.
The mental energy spent writing it down for later equals the energy to just get it done.
For example, if I’m in a meeting and someone needs an intro, I send it on the spot. Done.
But keep it strict—tasks over 2 minutes? Add them to your system.
5. Stop Multitasking
Here’s the truth: no one can multitask.
What we call multitasking is actually context-switching—rapidly shifting focus between tasks. And it’s exhausting.
Every switch drains energy. That’s why 30 minutes of “multitasking” can leave you feeling wiped.
Do yourself a favour: stop. Focus on one thing at a time.
6. Embrace Unfinished Projects
This one’s controversial, but hear me out: I keep a garage of unfinished projects.
I rush to 80% completion, then leave the final tweaks for later. Here’s why:
It removes the pressure to make things perfect.
On low-energy days, I can finish something I’ve already started instead of struggling to begin from scratch.
This balance lets me work with how I feel in the moment.
7. Keep It Simple
Stop obsessing over optimising every second of your life. Forget tracking every minute. Who cares?
Instead, focus on being effective. Pick the right tasks, and let the rest slide.
The most successful people aren’t squeezing every drop out of their time. They’re just deliberate about where they invest it. That’s why they look like they’re moving 100x faster than everyone else.
Good Luck
Channel your inner lazy person. Work smart, not hard.
Until next time,
Ajay
There’s a reason 400,000 professionals read this daily.
Join The AI Report, trusted by 400,000+ professionals at Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Get daily insights, tools, and strategies to master practical AI skills that drive results.
What did you think of today's email? |