5 constraints to reclaim 5 hours per day

I've helped many founders step back from the nitty-gritty of operations (including myself), and focus more on growth. Today, I want to share a secret weapon that's been instrumental in this process: setting constraints.

Let's dive into 5 constraints you can implement to supercharge your productivity and help you reclaim your day.

Ever heard of Parkinson's Law? It states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. Whether it's a project milestone or a meeting, if you allocate two hours, it'll take two hours. But what if you only gave it one hour? More often than not, you'll find that you don't need as much time as you think.

By setting a strict time constraint, you force yourself to focus and prioritize, leading to faster and often better results.

Those pings and dings might seem harmless, but they're productivity killers. Every time you shift your attention away, you have to re-integrate with the task at hand which costs a lot more than the 2 minutes it took to respond to that message… It compounds quickly.

By turning off notifications during your focus sessions, you can double, or even triple, your productivity. And here's a pro tip: consider leaving them off on your computer, forever. Your future self will thank you. Plus you always have the option to intentionally check messages when needed.

In the whirlwind of tasks and to-dos, it's too easy to get overwhelmed. Instead, zero in on the two most crucial goals for the day. By doing this, you ensure that you're making meaningful progress, keeping distractions at bay, and maintaining a clear headspace.

Less is more.

Mornings are sacred. This is when our minds are the freshest and most alert. Instead of cluttering them with reactive tasks like meetings or emails, use this time to proactively tackle the tasks that matter most. This is your time.

Trying to be proactive while being reactive is terrible for productivity.

Before wrapping up any work session, always clarify the next physical action needed to move your project forward. This simple habit reduces the mental load of trying to remember where you left off and ensures you hit the ground running in your next session.

These constraints aren't limiting; they're empowering. By setting clear boundaries and rules, you create systems that enhance your productivity, sharpen your leadership skills, and instill accountability.

See you all next Thursday 👋

PS. Whenever you're ready... Here are three ways I can help you systemize & automate operations: