Unit 2: Maximizing Productivity

How can we be the most productive version of ourselves when we have so many different things to do? This unit provides a practical look at how you can maximize your productivity skills within your personal environment and responsibilities.

TASK 1: Be Your Most Productive Self

Directions: First, watch the video from Kathryn Minshew, CEO of The Muse. Focus on the three practical approaches she explains for maximizing your productivity.

The speaker explains how it's important to protect the time when we are personally productive and that we may need to put up barriers to completely focus. Do you currently set these intentional barriers? Do you want to implement barriers more effectively?

Now, go to the Google Doc and respond to the following concepts that you'll share with your coach in this week's Zoom meeting:

When are you typically the most productive in your:
Brainstorm three intentional barriers you could set to protect the time you're the most productive (one for each environment: academic, home, and work).
Explain and defend why these barriers will be effective (in your academic, home, and work environments).

TASK 2: Habits vs. Goals

Oftentimes, our view of goals is based on a big-picture perspective, which can overshadow what we need to do to actually get there. What if we instead viewed our goals as more simple, achievable actions that were focused on building habits rather than reaching the end-point?

Directions: First, view "Ethan Hawke's Productivity Lesson: Set Simple Goals."

Next, read the article below comparing habits vs. goals.

Last, taking what you've learned from the video and the article, go to the Google Doc and complete the exercises in the Unit 2 section. You'll discuss this exercise in this week's weekly Zoom meeting with your Coach.

TASK 3: Real World Application of Prioritization

Directions: First, view the following video, "Time Management Tips from a Neuroscientist."

This video stresses being more deliberate about your priority choices. To practice prioritization in the real world, choose one of the following exercise options on productivity and pick two consecutive days this week to try the strategy. The purpose of these exercises is to show how YOU are controlling the priorities instead of them controlling you.

OPTION 1: Use the video example and grab a few index cards. Write one task/priority on each card (items can include social time, errands, and hobbies).

Practice reorganizing these cards throughout the day.
Whatever is on the top card is the most important thing you should be doing.
Discard the cards for which you've completed tasks and continue re-shuffling.

OPTION 2: Take 3 sticky notes to complete a visible prioritization strategy. Number each sticky note from 1 to 3. Now, think about prioritizing your day and some things you need to get done.

On note 1, list something that absolutely has to be done today.
On note 2, list something that needs to be done this week.
On note 3, list something that would be nice to get to if you have the time.
Now, make these sticky notes visible today in your environment--on your bathroom mirror, your desk at work, your iPad, etc. If you complete the item on sticky note 1, shift your mindset to make sticky note 2 a new priority.

Unit 2 Zoom Meeting

Before moving on to Unit 3, please reach out to your Success Coach to set up a Zoom meeting to discuss your insights on Unit 2.

Unit 2 Zoom Meeting

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