And Maximize Your Daily Input Here’s my personal and proven approach on how to get faster on doing things in a digital era. In no particular order, here we go: If something crosses your mind while you are working or studying, especially a negative bugging piece of thought, just of that something and record it in a notebook. Just get it out of your system! make a quick note (Chrome) or (Firefox) — if you want your note-taking to be digital. You can also do a brain dump on or . Install Papier Board Google Keep Evernote — sprint hard for 30 minutes (like writing this Medium post) and then take a 5-minute break (go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, do a stretch, drink water, read an article, do 10 push-ups, clean your desk etc.) Experiment with the 30 + 5 method — titles, intros & outros, summaries, blurbs etc. so that you can decide if it warrants a full read Learn to scan read both for your computer ( / / ) and browser ( , ) Learn keyboard shortcuts Mac Windows Linux Chrome Firefox — double your typing speed, double your output. Assuming you are typing the right stuff. (via ) Learn to type faster Noah Kagan so there is no dead time waiting for things to load Make your PC/Mac machine as fast as possible : , , , , , , , , , , Install Chrome/Firefox plugins Pocket LastPass Pablo AdBlock Tab Scissors Sexy Undo Close Buffer YSlow Clipboard History OneTab Awesome Screenshot and remove their names Bookmark your main websites and shortcuts when using Outlook, Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets, Dropbox, Google Drive Make use of sharing functions (Mac) or (Windows). Tweak them up! Install Alfred Launchy your mouse/touchpad Speed up I have mine as a . Use a Pomodoro Timer. Chrome extension Use or . Automate some parts of your writing process. TextExpander for MAC TextExpander for Windows One of my folder contains email templates for different scenarios. Templetize email responses. Remember: the conscious mind has a processing capacity of 120 bits per second. It’s hard for us to understand two people talking at the same time. Don’t get cocky. Always single task! such as and (for Social Media) Use automation software IFTT Buffer What would this look like if it were easy? (borrowed from ) Always ask this question: Tim Ferriss to do a morning e-mail check, if you really have to. Do it fast. Give yourself 5 minutes so you won’t forget it. Adjust along the way. Schedule everything Start small with a cycle of 2–3 Pomodoros followed by a 10– 15-minute break Create a pattern with your Pomodoros. for daily value-adding tasks — e.g. 1000 written words gets you X reward. Switch the rewards. Use gamification Environmental design office/desk. Have a distraction-free for keys, duct tape, lantern, batteries etc. Keep an organized junk drawer Play with it in your Pomodoro break. Ideas Doctor Gregory House too! Have some sort of a stress ball. has one your laptop charger as it will make you get things done quicker. Work without It’s easier to split your screen when needed. Invest in a big screen monitor. to get yourself in the zone. I prefer something without lyrics like the classics or some chillstep mixes. ’s one I like. Use music Here you go. Stop walking. Jog everywhere . I prefer doing it in the morning. It can also be a huge reset button for your afternoon! Take a fast cold shower clock. Set an alarm at the same time every night. Go to bed at the same time every morning. Try getting to sleep at the same time. Wake up the next morning even if you have to stay late at night — the consistency of your cycles is more important than the amount of sleep. Get up at your fixed time in a cool, dark room. Preferably somewhere around 19 degrees Celsius. Sleep to keep out the light. Cover your windows in the morning. Stretch Drink (and eat) up! Green tea Black coffee Mushroom coffee Camomile tea (if you feel the need to calm your nerves) Dark chocolate Experiment with intermittent fasting. This is not only for the health benefits but for the time you are going to save as well! Conclusion Things will add up. A minute here. An hour there. You will adjust.A good night sleep can lead to a good waking up experience which can lead to a calm mindset which can lead to a good workout which can lead to a good and productive work day which can lead to a good day which can lead to a happy life.