The 'Do Nothing' Approach to Doing Everything

Sometimes, the shortest path to success is over the cubicle wall and the mind-bending disorder might be your productivity's best friend..

Hey there, trailblazers!

Do you ever get excited about a new productivity hack, only to feel let down when it doesn't magically fix your crazy schedule? Don't worry, you're not the only one. Lots of us have been there, trying out the latest tips and tricks that promise to turn us into productivity superheroes.

Here's the thing: Most of these tips fall flat because they're made for some imaginary "average" person. But let's be real – who's actually average?

My Own Productivity Rollercoaster

Back in 2020, I was juggling a growing company and a newborn (talk about a handful!). I went all-in on every productivity method I could find. Time-blocking? Check. Waking up at dawn? You bet. I tried it all.

The result? Instead of becoming a productivity wizard, I was more stressed than ever. I was missing out on precious moments with my little one, all because I was stuck following someone else's idea of the "perfect" routine.

Why One-Size-Fits-All Advice Just Doesn't Cut It

Let's take a popular piece of advice: "Wake up at 5 AM for a killer start to your day!" Sounds great, right? Well, not for everyone.

If you're a night owl, dragging yourself out of bed at 5 AM might just turn you into a zombie for the rest of the day. And let's not even talk about how it messes with your family time or your chance to unwind in the evening.

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True productivity isn't about following someone else's rules. It's about writing your own playbook that fits your unique life story.

Creating Your Very Own Productivity Gameplan

Instead of blindly following what works for others, let's focus on what works for you. Here's how:

  1. Find Your Groove: Pay attention to when you feel most "in the zone" during the day. That's your productivity sweet spot!

  2. Set Some Ground Rules: Make it clear when you're available for meetings and when you need some "do not disturb" time. Your colleagues will thank you (eventually).

  3. Use Tech Wisely: Try out some productivity apps, but don't go overboard. Sometimes, a good old-fashioned to-do list does the trick.

  4. Stay Flexible: Life happens. Be ready to switch things up when needed.

  5. Don't Forget to Recharge: Taking breaks isn't slacking off – it's smart. A quick walk or a power nap can do wonders.

I worked with this CEO who was drowning in meetings and couldn't find time to think big. Here's what we did:

  1. We figured out he was at his best from 10 AM to 1 PM. That became his "big thinking" time.

  2. We cut down meetings to 30 minutes max (unless there was a really good reason for more).

  3. He blocked off two 90-minute chunks each day for uninterrupted work. No calls, no emails, no exceptions (unless the building was on fire).

  4. He banned screens after 9 PM to help him sleep better.

  5. Every Friday afternoon, he'd take a step back and look at what worked and what didn't.

The result? He wasn't just making better decisions – he actually felt like he had a handle on things again.

The Bottom Line: Your Productivity, Your Rules

Remember, being productive isn't about cramming more stuff into your day or living by someone else's schedule. It's about making the most of your time to do what really matters to you.

As you figure out your own productivity style, keep these things in mind:

  1. Be patient with yourself: Finding what works takes time. You've got this!

  2. Focus on impact, not just crossing things off a list: Did you make a difference today?

  3. It's okay if some days are better than others: We're all human, after all.

  4. Keep learning: Stay curious about new ideas, but always ask yourself, "Will this actually work for me?"

By taking charge of your productivity in a way that makes sense for you, you'll not only get more done – you'll feel better doing it. So go ahead, start writing your own productivity rules today!

This week, I challenge you to do a "productivity audit." Here's how:

1. For the next five workdays, jot down your energy levels and focus at different times of the day.


2. Note when you feel most alert and when you tend to drag.


3. At the end of the week, look for patterns. Where are your energy peaks and valleys?

4. Now, compare this to your current work schedule. Are you tackling your most important tasks during your high-energy periods?

5. Experiment with shifting one or two key tasks to align with your natural rhythms

Remember, small changes can lead to big improvements. Let me know how this goes for you!

Ride Your Productivity Surge - Personalize, Optimize, Thrive!

I hope this helps!

Catch you in the next one…

Hoyin Cheung,

P.S. If you found these tips helpful, share them with friends who might need a productivity boost. It’s a small action that can make a big difference! 😉

P.P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts or any strategies you use to have 100% attention while working. Feel free to reply or connect with me on LinkedIn or X. Let’s continue the conversation and boost our productivity together!