Planning (misc)

“The deep life cannot be reduced to concrete steps. But without concrete steps, you’ll never get closer to it.”

Resist the urge to create a master plan, instead plan one month at a time; list 1 habit to amplify and 1 habit to reduce across craft, community, contemplation, constitution
This is a long term practice; when done month after month, I will get closer to the deep life
Do less, do better, know why (work backwards from my values)

“I can do hard things. Doing hard things has intrinsic value, and they will make me a better person, even if I end up failing.”

Choose goals you have control over (e.g., not “become a professional author”, instead “write 10 books, each one better than the last”)
Learn what combo of motivation, circumstances, and accountability work for me (e.g., habit trackers, deadlines, writing groups)
Create an accurate roadmap of what needs to be done; talk to people who have done it before and learn what really matters and what doesn’t (it’s easy to create stories around what I think is important vs. what really is)

Anti-planning by Cal Newport

Instead of planning ahead for what needs to get done when — dive in and keep a record of my experience throughout (thoughts, triumphs, frustrations)
Shorten reflection cycles and adjust approach
Unsaid, but there should be a goal or question that we’re working towards
I’ve seen Balaji mention that Marc Andreessen does this

The 5 Best Time Management Tips (for ultra busy people)

Be honest with people on why I’m declining (this will make others value my time and commitment, force me to be honest with myself on what’s more important, free up mental energy)
Make a list of all my tiny annoyances and resolve them
If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t exist
Get info out of brain and into systems/paper
For decisions that don’t matter that much, don’t overthink. Just make the decision and move on