todo lists and time blocking can trap pms in fake productivity....
George from 🕹prodmgmt.world@nurijanian
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Apr 24, 2025
~2 min read
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todo lists and time blocking can trap pms in fake productivity. saying no is hard when everything appears essential. these myths damage careers and cause burnout.
after years, i've learned 8 principles to transform work.
this framework changes everything: 🧵👇
after years, i've learned 8 principles to transform work.
this framework changes everything: 🧵👇
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1. The "Energy Audit" Technique
Track your energy levels (not time) for 2 weeks.
Rate each hour 1-5.
I discovered my best strategic thinking happens 7-9am, but I was wasting it on email and Slack.
Now I protect those hours religiously for deep work.
Track your energy levels (not time) for 2 weeks.
Rate each hour 1-5.
I discovered my best strategic thinking happens 7-9am, but I was wasting it on email and Slack.
Now I protect those hours religiously for deep work.
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2. "Proximity Points" System
Keep critical docs within 2 clicks.
Keep key metrics within 3 clicks.
Keep customer feedback within 1 click.
Sounds simple, but this cut my context-switching time by 60%.
Keep critical docs within 2 clicks.
Keep key metrics within 3 clicks.
Keep customer feedback within 1 click.
Sounds simple, but this cut my context-switching time by 60%.
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3. The "Double Loop" Meeting Rule
For every meeting, run two parallel tracks:
- Immediate outcomes
- Process improvements
Example:
While solving the current bug, also document how to prevent similar issues.
For every meeting, run two parallel tracks:
- Immediate outcomes
- Process improvements
Example:
While solving the current bug, also document how to prevent similar issues.
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4. "Idea Parking Lot" Protocol
Most PMs try to capture every idea that comes up.
Wrong approach.
Instead, maintain 3 distinct idea lists:
- This quarter possibilities
- Next quarter contenders
- "Future me" problems
Delete anything that doesn't fit.
Most PMs try to capture every idea that comes up.
Wrong approach.
Instead, maintain 3 distinct idea lists:
- This quarter possibilities
- Next quarter contenders
- "Future me" problems
Delete anything that doesn't fit.
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5. The "Stakeholder Batch" Method
Stop responding in-depth to stakeholders ad-hoc.
Batch all non-urgent requests into 2-3 weekly review sessions.
Share the schedule openly.
Stick to it ruthlessly.
This alone saved me 5-7 hours per week.
Stop responding in-depth to stakeholders ad-hoc.
Batch all non-urgent requests into 2-3 weekly review sessions.
Share the schedule openly.
Stick to it ruthlessly.
This alone saved me 5-7 hours per week.
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6. The "Context Switching Tax"
Each switch between different types of work costs 23 minutes of recovery time (University of California study).
Solution: Theme your days
- Monday: Strategy
- Tuesday: Execution
- Wednesday: Stakeholders
- etc.
Each switch between different types of work costs 23 minutes of recovery time (University of California study).
Solution: Theme your days
- Monday: Strategy
- Tuesday: Execution
- Wednesday: Stakeholders
- etc.
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7. "Proactive Documentation" System
Don't write docs when asked.
Write them before they're needed.
I keep a running "FAQ" doc and add to it whenever I explain something more than once.
After 6 months, it became the team's most valuable resource.
Don't write docs when asked.
Write them before they're needed.
I keep a running "FAQ" doc and add to it whenever I explain something more than once.
After 6 months, it became the team's most valuable resource.
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8. The "Energy ROI" Calculator
Not all tasks drain equal energy.
Rate tasks by energy cost:
High: Long planning sessions
Medium: Stakeholder meetings
Low: Quick updates
Arrange your day to never stack high-energy tasks.
Not all tasks drain equal energy.
Rate tasks by energy cost:
High: Long planning sessions
Medium: Stakeholder meetings
Low: Quick updates
Arrange your day to never stack high-energy tasks.
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But start small. Pick one technique that resonates and try it for a week.
Remember: Productivity isn't about doing more.
It's about achieving more while preserving your energy for what matters most.
Some great books that shaped my thinking:
- "Deep Work" by Cal Newport
- "The Effective Executive" by Peter Drucker
What productivity technique works best for you?
Remember: Productivity isn't about doing more.
It's about achieving more while preserving your energy for what matters most.
Some great books that shaped my thinking:
- "Deep Work" by Cal Newport
- "The Effective Executive" by Peter Drucker
What productivity technique works best for you?