# My Productivity Tips and Systems

**\[Read bolded words to skim\]**

Below are a bunch of tips, systems, and devices for improving productivity. I don't mean to claim I know a lot about productivity—I think there is likely a lot of useful advice I am missing. If you are new to thinking about productivity, a lot of this stuff might be useful, though **it is probably better to instead aim for the mindset that can generate these tips** and habits for yourself. For this, I recommend attending [a Center for Applied Rationality workshop](https://www.rationality.org/workshops/upcoming), reading [the CFAR handbook](https://www.rationality.org/resources/handbook), checking out [Neel Nanda's blog](https://www.neelnanda.io/), and/or reading [Rationality: A to Z](http://lesswrong.com/rationality) (podcast form [here](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rationality-from-ai-to-zombies/id1299826696)).

My **recommendations are in very rough order of how much I recommend them**, based on how excited I am/would expect someone else to be to know about the tip (my top recommendation being Things 3 + Apple Watch). Though I didn't try that hard to order things in this way.

**Table of Contents**
---------------------

*   **TODO List:** Things 3 + Apple Watch
*   **Computer Restrictions:** Cold Turkey
*   **Sleep:** Tips
*   **Exercise:** Tips
*   **Phone Restrictions:** ScreenTime or Freedom
*   **Reading list:** Instapaper
*   **Device:** Computer Monitor
*   **Internet speed**: Ethernet cable and good internet service
*   **Device:** Mouse
*   **Miscellaneous tips**
*   **Tracking device usage:** [RescueTime](https://www.rescuetime.com/) or [Toggl](https://track.toggl.com/) or [Forest](https://www.forestapp.cc/)
*   **Useful programs/apps/sites**
*   **Useful browser extensions**
*   **Device:** [MacBook](https://www.apple.com/uk/macbook-pro-13/) (borrow first)
*   **Password Manager:** [Dashlane](https://www.dashlane.com/lp/search?utm_source=adwords&utm_campaign=UK_Search_Brand_Exact_CPC&utm_medium=118061732580&utm_term=Dashlane&gclid=CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu5dhmUa-APRCwKDDWhyeN20V9gQJBIyhTqqUXcvtizVVF5oC4WPGEBoCmaoQAvD_BwE) (free for Stanford) or [NordPass](https://nordpass.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu0U5Szii878P3xaX-r9OJM5aG6-EoE61YjnqdkwBXyiS1Y9NHByU9RoCRk4QAvD_BwE) (free?)
*   **Other products**

**TODO List:** [Things 3](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/things-3/id904237743) \+ [Apple Watch](https://www.apple.com/uk/watch/?afid=p238%7Cs1Uy5BqUr-dc_mtid_187079nc38483_pcrid_528166116918_pgrid_20355516733_&cid=aos-uk-kwgo-watch--slid--bran-product-)
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*   **Things 3** (ETA: Mac required, making me recommend a Mac more than I would otherwise)
    *   Can **add todos**, blog post ideas, projects ideas, **any other useful notes** from my apple watch **with my voice very easily through my watch** (takes two watch screen taps)
    *   On the computer, can **add stuff to your todo list** **with a** **keyboard shortcut** from any app
        *   E.g. when reading an email, I can press ctrl + space, and this pops up in the middle of my screen. There is even a hyperlink to the email in the description of the todo
    *   **Move TODOs to specific dates in the future** such that they appear in your inbox on that date
        *   I use this at least once per week, ***surprisingly*** **useful**
        *   **Useful for** things like things **you want to apply to but the application doesn't open for months**, **people you want to reach out to when traveling to a new place**, **bumping an important email** **after a week** if there is no reply, etc
    *   **Have lists for things other than todos**
        *   Mistakes or bugs
        *   Blog post ideas
        *   Project ideas
        *   People to talk to
        *   Things to learn
        *   "Someday" todos
*   **Apple Watch** (ETA: iPhone required, making me recommend an iPhone more than I would otherwise)
    *   **Be reminded of all calendar events** with wrist buzz
    *   **Add to-dos,** blog post ideas, project ideas, etc. easily **with voice**
    *   **See to-do list** from watch
    *   See the time
    *   Easy access timer
        *   Laundry timer
        *   Time blocking tasks
    *   **Music/podcasts/books on the go**, during exercise

**Computer restrictions:** [Cold Turkey](https://getcoldturkey.com/)
--------------------------------------------------------------------

*   You can **create "Blocks" which are sets of websites and programs to block**
*   For each block, you can create a schedule
*   For each block, **you can create a system for turning off the block**
    *   Default — just turn it off
    *   Password
    *   **Type in N random characters**
        *   Surprisingly effective, **allows you to create barriers of variable lengths to accessing certain websites and programs**
*   **My computer blocks** (ask me and I can email you an importable file)
    *   **Communications Block (5 random chars, usually unlocked)**
        *   Facebook Messenger app and site
        *   Mail app
        *   Slack app and site
        *   iMessage app
    *   **Distractions (20 random chars, usually unlocked)**
        *   EA Forum
        *   LessWrong
        *   Other blogs
        *   All social media
        *   FB messenger and [messenger.com](http://messenger.com/)
        *   Wikipedia
        *   slack app and [slack.com](http://slack.com/)
        *   iMessage
        *   youtube and games
        *   discord app and [discord.com](http://discord.com/)
    *   **EA Forum and LessWrong (10 random chars, unlock ~once per week)**
        *   EA forum
        *   Lesswrong
    *   **Facebook (unlocked 7-10 am, 10 random chars)**
        *   Facebook
    *   **Youtube and Games (250 random chars)**
        *   Youtube
        *   Addicting Games
        *   Sudoku
        *   Chess
        *   Skyrim
        *   Minecraft
        *   Other computer games
    *   **Non-FB Social Media (unlocked 7-10 am, 50 random chars)**
        *   Twitter
        *   Instagram
        *   LinkedIn
        *   Reddit
        *   Tiktok
        *   Tumblr
        *   GroupMe
    *   Miscellaneous
        *   Anything else that distracts you

**Sleep: buy anything that can improve your sleep**
---------------------------------------------------

*   Silicone earplugs
*   Eye mask
*   Fluffy Pillows
*   A duvet or nice comforter
*   Mattress topper

**Exercise:** Find a fulfilling form of exercise that you will do consistently
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*   **Try lots of different forms of exercise**
    *   Game with friends (basketball, soccer, frisbee)
    *   Dancing to music alone
    *   Beat saber
    *   Rock climbing
    *   Ultimate frisbee
*   **Try only listening to your favorite podcast when you exercise**
*   **Try buying things to make exercise more likable**
    *   VR headset for Beat Saber or other exercise games (borrow first)
    *   Running shoes that you think look really good (maybe somewhat works, not sure)
    *   Very fast swimming suit
    *   Basketball shoes and nice basketball
    *   GameCube for Dance Dance Revolution
    *   Hula hoops, weighted juggling set, cyr wheel, balance board, unicycle

**Phone restrictions:** [Screentime](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208982) (iOS) or [Freedom](https://freedom.to/?rfsn=581656.fe02d&subid=1-g-CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu3Mxqyz0zt00VV2VYUDrxyLTpyxkNKzn59FE5M-LBjF9cUVMVfABRRoC1QYQAvD_BwE&utm_source=referral&utm_campaign=sl&gclid=CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu3Mxqyz0zt00VV2VYUDrxyLTpyxkNKzn59FE5M-LBjF9cUVMVfABRRoC1QYQAvD_BwE)
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*   My system
    *   I don’t know the **ScreenTime passcode, and it is written in a notebook that I never look at**
    *   **When I need to edit the ScreenTime settings, I have someone else type in the passcode** and show them the notebook
    *   **App store blocked**
    *   **Deleted all apps except utilities, reading list, and podcasts**
        *   Calendar
        *   Todo list (Things 3)
        *   Safari (heavily restricted)
        *   Google Maps
        *   Uber
        *   Instapaper (reading list)
        *   Podcast App
        *   Uber Eats
        *   Financial apps
        *   Audible
        *   Music
        *   Other utility apps
    *   **Blocked all websites except necessities**
        *   Wikipedia
        *   Google searches
        *   Health-advice websites
        *   Car repair websites
        *   Restaurant review websites
        *   Airline related websites
        *   Financial websites
    *   **Advice: when traveling** or doing anything other than very routine work-life, **unblock everything**

**Reading list:** Instapaper
----------------------------

*   Instapaper app, program, and extension
    *   **Easily add any URL to your reading list**
    *   Read from phone, iPad, computer
*   Read at meals
*   Instapaper is one of the only "fun" things on my phone

**Device:** Computer Monitor
----------------------------

*   **Makes a number of tasks faster and easier**
*   Less cluttered screen
*   According to a study (sponsored by a monitor company), **people using a 24-inch screen were 52% more productive than those using an 18-inch screen** ([link](https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=214166)).

**Internet speed**: Ethernet cable and good internet service
------------------------------------------------------------

*   **Ethernet cable for computer plugged into your router**
*   **Get better internet service** — I've never actually bought service, so would be happy for someone to give a recommendation

**Device:** Mouse
-----------------

*   Significantly **faster than a trackpad** (for me)
*   Even if it isn't at first, it should eventually be faster I think?

**Miscellaneous tips**
----------------------

*   Using **bookmarks and bookmark folders in google chrome**
*   **Move your phone to a hard to reach place** to make it less distracting
*   For tasks you are avoiding, **instead of doing the task, just think about doing it** in detail
    *   Eg "First I would find webpage A, contact information B, write the introduction sentence of an email, ..."
*   **Accountability bets**
    *   Make commitments with your friends of the form "If I succeed/fail at X, then I have to/get to Y"
    *   **Try leveraging an irrational fear**
        *   Leveraging a rational fear means that the losing condition is actually bad, but an irrational fears coming true is likely not "actually bad"
        *   Eg I found that making the losing condition be "eat a bowl of cereal" was much more motivating than "pay $300 dollars" because I am irrationally afraid of cereal
*   **Your environment shapes your actions a lot**
    *   **Have a different place for different activities:**
        *   Sleeping
        *   Working
        *   Eating
        *   Reading
        *   Socializing
    *   **Wearing different clothes when you work** is an example of another thing that might help you be more in the productive mindset
        *   Your brain infers what behavior it should employ based on the environment
        *   "I'm wearing nice clothes must be time to work"
*   Vitamins
    *   Iron, B12, Omega 3, creatine (might improve cognition, apparently. Feel free to source in comments)
    *   **Have a sugary multivitamin** so you actually take all of your vitamins
    *   Practice **taking all of them at once**
        *   **Faster and no time cost to adding a new pill**
        *   **Though micromorts** from the possibility of choking?
*   Shortcuts
    *   The URL “[**docs.new**](http://docs.new/)**” opens a new google doc**
        *   Similarly, “**sheets.new**” and “**forms.new**” make new Google sheets and new Google forms
    *   cmd-a or ctrl-a
    *   [Connect AirPods to your phone by tapping back of phone three times](https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/fastest-way-connect-airpods-from-another-device-your-iphone-0331361/)
*   **Break reminders and mantras:** [**Timeout**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/time-out-break-reminders/id402592703?mt=12)
    *   I display **"rationality" mantras** like
        *   The [litany of Tarski](https://www.lesswrong.com/tag/litany-of-tarski#:~:text=The%20Litany%20of%20Tarski%20is,desire%20to%20believe%20that%20X%22.)
        *   Multiply your time estimates by 2
    *   Display things like "have you stood up in the past 30 minutes?" "have you had water recently?"

**Tracking device usage:** [RescueTime](https://www.rescuetime.com/) or [Toggl](https://track.toggl.com/) or [Forest](https://www.forestapp.cc/)
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*   It can be really **useful to see how your time is actually spent**
*   For example, a year ago I realized I was spending 3-5 hours on messaging apps
    *   Since then I have made a conscious effort to minimize time on those apps as much as possible
*   Or maybe you spend 45 minutes on social media per day
    *   Imagine replacing that with conversations or a fun kind of exercise instead

**Useful programs/apps/sites**
------------------------------

*   Google Calendar
*   [**x.ai**](http://x.ai/) **(instead of Calendly)**
    *   The free version of x.ai allows having multiple meeting types simultaneously
    *   If you are willing to pay, Calendly or SavvyCal might be better, haven't looked into it much
    *   Free version of SavvyCal also might be better than x.ai or Calendly, haven’t looked into it
*   [**iOS Automator App**](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/automator/welcome/mac)
    *   For example, can **make a keyboard shortcut to close/open** all messaging **apps**
    *   Or keyboard shortcut for opening a new google doc in your browser
*   [**RemNote**](https://www.remnote.io/) **(free version of Roam Research)**

**Useful browser extensions**
-----------------------------

*   [Dashlane](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dashlane-password-manager/fdjamakpfbbddfjaooikfcpapjohcfmg?hl=en) (password manager)
*   [Grammarly](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/grammarly-for-chrome/kbfnbcaeplbcioakkpcpgfkobkghlhen?hl=en) (grammar checker)
*   [Cold turkey](https://getcoldturkey.com/support/extensions/chrome/) (site blocker)
*   [Instapaper](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/instapaper/ldjkgaaoikpmhmkelcgkgacicjfbofhh) (reading list)
*   [Zotero](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/zotero-connector/ekhagklcjbdpajgpjgmbionohlpdbjgc) (easily create bibliographies)
*   [Tab aside](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/tabs-aside/nboikgnmjgjcnnhencinblbaikdccdlb) (save sets of tabs for later)
*   [uBlock Origin](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm) (adblocker)
*   [RescueTime](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/rescuetime-for-chrome-and/bdakmnplckeopfghnlpocafcepegjeap) (time tracker)
*   [Catalyze x](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/aiml-papers-with-code-eve/aikkeehnlfpamidigaffhfmgbkdeheil) (arXiv papers have code linked at Google search)
*   [Zoom scheduler](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/zoom-scheduler/kgjfgplpablkjnlkjmjdecgdpfankdle?hl=en) (for easily adding zoom links to Google Calendar events)

**Device:** [MacBook](https://www.apple.com/uk/macbook-pro-13/) (borrow first)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*   I'm still **unsure if it is worth it**
*   **Things seem faster and smoother**
*   I would not have switched to a Mac if someone hadn't given me one for free
*   I am now more in favor of using a Mac than I used to be, though still not sure

**Password Manager:** [Dashlane](https://www.dashlane.com/lp/search?utm_source=adwords&utm_campaign=UK_Search_Brand_Exact_CPC&utm_medium=118061732580&utm_term=Dashlane&gclid=CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu5dhmUa-APRCwKDDWhyeN20V9gQJBIyhTqqUXcvtizVVF5oC4WPGEBoCmaoQAvD_BwE) or [NordPass](https://nordpass.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu0U5Szii878P3xaX-r9OJM5aG6-EoE61YjnqdkwBXyiS1Y9NHByU9RoCRk4QAvD_BwE) (free?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*   **Security:** allows for all passwords to be long and different
*   **Time and energy saved:** some saved, probably not that much though

**Other products**
------------------

*   These are less recommended but depending on who you are, might be worth it
*   **Large water bottle (64 oz)**
*   [**Special physical timer**](https://www.amazon.co.uk/INRIGOROUS-Magnetic-Countdown-Stopwatch-Classroom/dp/B088TJVXNK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Kitchen+Timers&qid=1626696013&s=kitchen&sr=1-1-spons&ts_id=10707721&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWUVBTkxRSExWMDhaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTExODY4M1JRUjZIWUtKSTMwSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODE0NDUyM0ZRMkg5VThNTTE4TCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=) **only for pomodoros**
*   iPad
*   AirPods
*   [**Phone pop socket handle**](https://www.amazon.co.uk/PopSockets-PopGrip-Expanding-Smartphones-Swappable/dp/B08QW5Q5TP/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=phone+handle&qid=1626696043&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaRjRSOFA3UEc2RlYmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzMTAxMTExM0RKUzVHN0ozUDRSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAwMTg4MDQyUkNUNjQ5Q0s3TlVBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==)
*   **Nicotine gum** [when need energy at night](https://www.gwern.net/Nicotine) (instead of coffee)
    *   To be safe, have much less than the addictive dose
    *   Has shorter half-life than caffeine
*   [**Things that Rob Wiblin recommends buying**](https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/BnnDRy2yFzJqJ4Mvz/things-i-recommend-you-buy-and-use)