My Secrets to Unearthing Extra Hours in the Day

Tips for how to find more time in your already busy schedule

I often get asked how I manage to stay productive in content creation (most recently asked by

Wisen Tanasa

). Between writing books, creating videos, running this newsletter, maintaining a website with blogs and tutorials, and publishing several ebooks on Leanpub, my schedule is packed. And that's not to mention my full-time job as a software engineer, where I'm immersed in coding, testing, documenting, knowledge sharing, and even performance reviews (which can be quite tedious at times, but that's a story for another day).

So, I think I've got a thing or two worth sharing about productivity.

Just like many of you, I've actively searched for effective methods. Some have worked seamlessly, requiring little mental effort, while others have been more challenging, leading me to eventually let them go. Here are some methods and tips that I've found helpful and have personally validated. Maybe you'll find them useful too, or maybe not. Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts and stories.

Focus on One Thing at a Time

The first tip is to focus on just one thing at a time. Yes, it might sound cliché, but it's true. We humans are not great at multitasking. There's a multitude of distractions out there – from the latest tech gadgets to new developments in our field. These things are all exciting, but it's crucial to concentrate on one specific thing at a time to achieve anything substantial by the end of the day.

Form a backlog for all the interesting stuff you come across. If something catches your eye, don't dive into it immediately. Instead, add it to your backlog and stick to your original plan.

Batch Similar Tasks

As software developers, we're well aware of how costly context switching can be, and this holds true for content creation as well. If you have a compelling topic that can be adapted into different formats (like a detailed tutorial and a brief introductory blog), try to tackle them simultaneously. The advantage here is that when you're immersed in the same subject matter, you're more familiar with the intricacies, less likely to hit roadblocks and find it easier to enter a state of flow — that intense focus where you're driven to complete the task at hand, no matter what.

This principle is also effective when dealing with different topics in the same format. Take video production, for example. Setting up everything — the microphone, camera, lighting, and even ensuring you look your best — can be quite an undertaking. By batching these tasks, you can record multiple segments in one go and then move on to editing them together. This approach is especially beneficial for long-form video courses or detailed tutorials, where consistency and efficiency are key.

Learn with an Output in Mind

The second tip involves a mindset shift. When you're learning or working on something, think about how you would teach it to someone else. For instance, while exploring Rxjs, note down any misunderstandings, pitfalls, or similarities with things you already know. Jot down these insights as drafts, code snippets, or drawings (using tools like https://excalidraw.com/), or even discuss them with a colleague or friend.

The key here is to focus on outputting content as you learn. This approach helps your brain connect the dots more effectively.

Establish a Routine

This might not be a widely discussed tip, but it's backed by science and has worked well for me. Wake up early, drink a large glass of water, take a walk (ideally under morning sunlight), and then dedicate a 90-minute slot to work before your regular job begins.

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

You'll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in this time. You might even use your backlog to decide what to work on, saving precious minutes.

I've also established a routine of reading for 30 minutes before bed. While some advise against it, I find it quite beneficial. I usually read about philosophy, neuroscience, software design principles, and similar topics, rarely touching fiction. This quiet time helps me wind down.

Leveraging ChatGPT / AI

Opinions on ChatGPT and AI tools vary. Some people love them and rely heavily on them, while others are sceptical or feel guilty using them. I fall somewhere in between.

I use AI tools regularly to polish content, create blog outlines, and even explain complex code snippets succinctly. However, it's crucial to use these tools mindfully, as they can sometimes provide content that's almost right but misleading. So, you still need to review and adjust to ensure accuracy and clarity.

With AI tools like ChatGPT, I've found my productivity has increased. I usually start with a draft of bullet points and key ideas, then use ChatGPT for feedback and refinement. I focus on building the skeleton and raw materials – code snippets, illustrations, connections – and let AI handle the rest, especially the intros and summaries that often receive less attention.

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That wraps up this issue. I'd love to hear your tips as well, so please share them in the comments. I'm always eager to learn from you too.