Self-improvement
Career Development
Self-help
Motivation
Productivity
Goal Setting
Time Management
Work-life balance
4 hours of focused work is better than 8 hours of distracted work.
My 10 commandments of The 4 Hour Workday:
My 10 commandments of The 4 Hour Workday:
First, the 4-Hour Workday philosophy:
Any work more than 4 hours is a problem that can be fixed with time, patience, and systemization.
There is always something you can do to:
1) Reduce total time worked
2) Remove work you hate
3) Maintain quality of work
Get creative.
Any work more than 4 hours is a problem that can be fixed with time, patience, and systemization.
There is always something you can do to:
1) Reduce total time worked
2) Remove work you hate
3) Maintain quality of work
Get creative.
1) Future Clarity
You need a Minimum Viable Vision for your future.
Write out:
- Who you want to be
- What you want to do for work
- What your ideal day looks like
- How you will contribute to humanity
If it doesn't align with your vision, the answer is no.
You need a Minimum Viable Vision for your future.
Write out:
- Who you want to be
- What you want to do for work
- What your ideal day looks like
- How you will contribute to humanity
If it doesn't align with your vision, the answer is no.
2) Reverse Engineer
From your vision, deconstruct into a 10 year, 1 year, and monthly goals.
These are for direction, not obsession.
Write them down to anchor your attention and let them be.
From your vision, deconstruct into a 10 year, 1 year, and monthly goals.
These are for direction, not obsession.
Write them down to anchor your attention and let them be.
3) Lever Moving Tasks
In the morning or night (your choice) write out 3 tasks that will move you toward those goals.
Your mind should be able to quantify a stopping point.
Example: writing 1000 words to attract an audience for potential monetization.
In the morning or night (your choice) write out 3 tasks that will move you toward those goals.
Your mind should be able to quantify a stopping point.
Example: writing 1000 words to attract an audience for potential monetization.
4) Gain Clarity On Tasks
A few times a week, swap lever moving tasks for clarity generating tasks.
On Sundays, I outline my newsletter for the week.
Without this, I wouldn't be able to execute on my 1000 words goal with speed.
More clarity = more flow potential.
A few times a week, swap lever moving tasks for clarity generating tasks.
On Sundays, I outline my newsletter for the week.
Without this, I wouldn't be able to execute on my 1000 words goal with speed.
More clarity = more flow potential.
5) Timeblocks & breaks
I've found my sweet spot to be:
- 90-minute work blocks
- 15-30 minute walks as breaks
On those walks, I keep my focus on what the next task is going to be.
Put these on your calendar and assign each block a priority task.
I've found my sweet spot to be:
- 90-minute work blocks
- 15-30 minute walks as breaks
On those walks, I keep my focus on what the next task is going to be.
Put these on your calendar and assign each block a priority task.
6) Manipulate deadlines
Deadlines narrow attention.
Narrow attention reduces distraction.
The more real, the better.
Set a public deadline and put something real on the line.
Set a product launch date, accept presale payments, and boom β you're forced to get it done.
Deadlines narrow attention.
Narrow attention reduces distraction.
The more real, the better.
Set a public deadline and put something real on the line.
Set a product launch date, accept presale payments, and boom β you're forced to get it done.
7) Manipulate Environment
If you couldn't tell already, distractions are your enemy.
They lead to entropy of your productivity system (AKA a downward spiral into more distractions).
Clear your workspace.
Limit browser tabs.
Set yourself up for pure focus.
If you couldn't tell already, distractions are your enemy.
They lead to entropy of your productivity system (AKA a downward spiral into more distractions).
Clear your workspace.
Limit browser tabs.
Set yourself up for pure focus.
8) Wake Up Before Distractions
Wake up 1-2 hours earlier.
Yes, even if you are a night owl (just do more creative work with your sleepy brain).
Nobody will be texting or calling you.
Treat your mornings as sacred and your work quality will follow.
Wake up 1-2 hours earlier.
Yes, even if you are a night owl (just do more creative work with your sleepy brain).
Nobody will be texting or calling you.
Treat your mornings as sacred and your work quality will follow.
9) Prioritize Rest
Quality work stems from quality rest.
You have to regenerate your finite mental energy.
But, the modern notion of "rest" is toxic.
No over-indulgence of Netflix and wine.
Hit the gym, socialize, read a book, or pick up a new hobby.
Quality work stems from quality rest.
You have to regenerate your finite mental energy.
But, the modern notion of "rest" is toxic.
No over-indulgence of Netflix and wine.
Hit the gym, socialize, read a book, or pick up a new hobby.
10) Refine Your System
You will struggle working only 4 hours at the start.
Spot the problems that prevent your system from flowing.
Meetings in the afternoon? Do something about it.
Hate aspects of your work? Delegate it.
Creative problem-solving puts you in control.
You will struggle working only 4 hours at the start.
Spot the problems that prevent your system from flowing.
Meetings in the afternoon? Do something about it.
Hate aspects of your work? Delegate it.
Creative problem-solving puts you in control.
This is the cliff notes version of The Koe Letter.
If you want a deep dive into the evolutionary psychology behind productivity systems
(And a hint at what I personally do)
Read the full version here:
thedankoe.com
If you want a deep dive into the evolutionary psychology behind productivity systems
(And a hint at what I personally do)
Read the full version here:
thedankoe.com
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