The hottest Time management Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
Five’s Substack β€’ 1358 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jul 24
  1. Many college students have a lot of work and study to do outside of class, making their schedule very busy. It's common for students to work part-time or even full-time jobs while studying.
  2. Homework is really important for truly understanding subjects in college. Doing the readings and assignments helps students think on their own and learn more effectively.
  3. It's vital to protect students' time for learning, not just to earn degrees. Education should be about more than just getting a job; it should allow for real thinking and personal growth.
Leading Developers β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jun 25
  1. Small annoyances can waste a lot of time and energy. Fixing these little issues can boost your productivity and reduce stress.
  2. Organizing your tools and workspace can help you work more efficiently. Simple changes like better organization or updating old templates can save you time.
  3. Managing notifications and distractions, like Slack messages or email alerts, makes a big difference in focus. It’s worth taking time to set up systems that reduce interruptions.
FutureIQ β€’ 1 implied HN point β€’ 13 Jun 25
  1. Work tends to fill the time you give it, so if you set a shorter deadline, you'll likely finish faster. This is known as Parkinson's Law.
  2. Setting tight deadlines can actually improve quality instead of harming it. It helps you avoid distractions and keep your focus where it matters.
  3. Finding the right balance in deadlines is key. They should be tight enough to challenge you but not so tight that you feel overwhelmed.
A Bit Gamey β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 25
  1. Use a triage system to prioritize tasks based on urgency and severity, similar to how medical teams manage injuries. It helps ensure that the most important tasks are handled first.
  2. Choose your productivity metric wisely. Whether it's deadlines, workload, completion speed, or task importance, the right focus can help you work smarter.
  3. Different strategies like prioritizing by deadlines or importance can help you manage tasks better. Each approach has its benefits, so pick the one that aligns with your goals.
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Austin Kleon β€’ 3437 implied HN points β€’ 25 Apr 23
  1. Scheduling a regular time for a weekly review helps you reflect on what you've done and plan what you want to do next. It’s about taking a moment to think and organize your thoughts.
  2. Using a method that works for you, like making mind maps or lists, can make your review more effective. Visualizing your tasks can help you see connections and prioritize better.
  3. A private weekly review can lead to clearer mind and focus for the upcoming week. It allows you to 'clear your psychic decks' so you can enjoy your time off without distractions.
Day One β€’ 1058 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jan 24
  1. Prioritize and manage your time effectively to make room for more tasks, even in a busy schedule.
  2. Focus on getting a good night's sleep for increased productivity and take advantage of Kairos moments for important actions.
  3. Implement time blocking by budgeting your time hourly, helping you stay organized and productive throughout the day.
A Bit Gamey β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 25
  1. Like a computer, people can get overwhelmed with too many low-priority tasks. This can lead to being busy but not accomplishing important work.
  2. It's often better to group similar tasks together instead of trying to complete everything perfectly. This can help you get more done overall.
  3. Sometimes taking a break or pausing can be more effective than rushing into action. A thoughtful approach can lead to clearer decisions and better results.
High Growth Engineer β€’ 1574 implied HN points β€’ 18 Feb 24
  1. Planning is crucial to avoid feeling unproductive and getting pulled in different directions throughout the day.
  2. By planning your day, you focus on what's important and maintain control over your daily tasks.
  3. Even a simple daily plan of one main goal can significantly improve your productivity and time management.
Evil Witches Newsletter β€’ 1041 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jul 23
  1. Making friends as an adult can be challenging, especially after significant life changes.
  2. Factors like changing relationship with alcohol, lack of time for social activities, and difficulty connecting at kid-focused events can impact adult friendships.
  3. Tips for building friendships include staying in touch, setting reasonable goals, and embracing vulnerability.
Elevate β€’ 616 implied HN points β€’ 07 Dec 23
  1. It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on track after an interruption, impacting productivity significantly.
  2. Context switching involves more than just changing tasks; it's like asking your brain to switch languages, leading to cognitive drain.
  3. Strategies for managing context switching include understanding task importance, using tech tools wisely, and fostering a workspace culture that respects deep work.
box. β€’ 419 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 23
  1. Finding a balance between creating for an audience and focusing on personal projects is tricky but important. Having too many outside distractions can slow down real work, so taking breaks from attention helps keep goals on track.
  2. Loneliness is a big issue that needs meaningful solutions. Sometimes it's hard to work on this emotionally heavy topic, but caring about it makes the work feel worthwhile.
  3. Managing time as a solo founder can be challenging. Setting boundaries and valuing personal time helps stay focused on what truly matters, without getting overwhelmed by small tasks.
Lessons β€’ 511 implied HN points β€’ 14 Apr 23
  1. Your calendar as a leader affects what gets done in the company and how you spend time and resources.
  2. Setting clear priorities and having a structured calendar system are crucial for spending time on strategic priorities.
  3. Create a calendar skeleton to lay out core activities and priorities, and regularly revisit and adjust your system.
QUALITY BOSS β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jun 24
  1. Time blocking can be challenging because admin tasks often take over the blocks. It's important to set separate times for these tasks to protect your focused work.
  2. Interruptions can break your flow, so setting 'do not disturb' periods or specific times to check messages can help. Communicating the importance of your focused time to your team is crucial.
  3. Procrastination can still happen even with a schedule. Breaking tasks into smaller steps or tackling the hardest tasks first can make projects feel more manageable.
Trying In Public β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 24
  1. Every idea has a place in my Notion setup, allowing me to easily find and revisit notes.
  2. My Notion is organized using databases like To Do List, Abstract Goals Journal, Second Brain, Sales Planner, and Recipe Book.
  3. I use various systems like PARA system, Top 3 method, and Pomodoro timers to manage tasks and projects effectively in Notion.
VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jun 24
  1. Understand your motivation for writing. Writing should be genuine and not just about getting likes or money. Find your true reason and let that guide your writing.
  2. Make time for writing by treating it as a priority, not just something you do between client projects. Schedule specific blocks of time for writing each day.
  3. Gather resources and ideas before writing. Use tools like mobile notes and bookmarking sites to keep track of ideas and materials to help you write faster.
Running Lean Mastery β€’ 137 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
  1. Time in a startup is pulled in different directions - outside and inside the building. Startup founders need to balance both effectively.
  2. Creating a flow state is crucial for productivity. Flow involves being fully immersed in a task, limiting interruptions, and receiving immediate feedback.
  3. To optimize work, establish uninterrupted time blocks for focused tasks, prioritize maker goals early in the day, and schedule manager activities later to maintain flow.
box. β€’ 239 implied HN points β€’ 21 Sep 23
  1. Use a calendar to plan your day and stay on track. It helps to schedule everything, from meals to important appointments.
  2. Make a plan for your time instead of just a to-do list. Visualizing how you'll spend your time each week can help keep you focused and organized.
  3. Don't try to learn everything alone. Collaborate with others and ask for help to make your learning journey easier and more effective.
Wisdom over Waves β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 14 Dec 23
  1. Hyrum's Law emphasizes that with a large number of users, system behaviors will be relied upon, regardless of what was promised.
  2. Hofstadter's Law points out that tasks often take longer than expected, even with buffers, so it's beneficial to shorten estimation cycles for better planning.
  3. Parkinson's Law highlights how work expands to fill the time available, showing the importance of constraints for creativity and efficiency.
Beck of the Pack β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jan 24
  1. Training volume needs to be tailored to individual runners, even with similar abilities and goals.
  2. Training volume can increase over time as the body adapts, but recovery is key to avoid overtraining.
  3. Be cautious of running high mileage just for the sake of it, balance volume with quality workouts for optimal performance.
A Bit Gamey β€’ 20 implied HN points β€’ 10 Nov 24
  1. Embrace limits to spark creativity. When you can't do everything, you find new ways to make an impact.
  2. Focus on a few important tasks that really matter. This helps avoid distractions and leads to greater recognition.
  3. Accept imperfection and the natural pace of life. It's okay if things aren't perfect; it leaves space for what truly matters.
Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman β€’ 243 implied HN points β€’ 26 Feb 24
  1. Different career decisions are optimized on different time scales from sub-second to months to years.
  2. Professions like athletes and speed-chess players excel in making sub-second decisions through muscle memory and pattern matching.
  3. Job interviews are typically designed for quick-time decisions, but should be adjusted based on the timescale of the job.
Day One β€’ 878 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jul 20
  1. Focus on maximizing your days by adopting a system like the Rule of Five for productivity.
  2. Distinguish between being busy and being productive - don't just go through motions without achieving anything.
  3. Using the Rule of Five can lead to significant increases in productivity, profitability, and achieving goals.
Day One β€’ 738 implied HN points β€’ 01 Sep 20
  1. Controlling your time is crucial for success. It's the one resource we have a lot of but can't make more of. Time management sets apart the top achievers from the rest.
  2. Identify what's draining your time. Social media is a major time thief. Focus on tasks that truly impact your life, and learn to make social media work for you, not against you.
  3. Use technology wisely. Apps can help with time management, but a solid strategy is essential for success. Choose apps that align with your goals and priorities.
10x your mind β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jul 23
  1. Boost productivity with the FUI framework by creating a table with columns 'What', 'Why', 'F', 'U', and 'I' to prioritize tasks.
  2. Focus on tasks that are feasible, urgent, and important (FUI) to achieve maximum productivity.
  3. Take breaks, stay hydrated, and celebrate accomplishments to maintain motivation and productivity throughout the day.
Letters for Creatives β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 30 Mar 23
  1. Finding time to prioritize your creative projects is essential for balancing them with your day job.
  2. Setting specific goals and dedicating set hours each week can help with motivation and progress.
  3. It's okay to give yourself permission to rest and work on creative projects when you have the energy, finding a balance that works for you.
Working Theorys β€’ 56 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
  1. Consider time-boxing your startup by setting an end date to focus and make progress efficiently.
  2. Most successful startups reach product-market fit within about 2 years and need sufficient runway for experimentation.
  3. Decide what progress markers would prompt you to continue beyond the set end date, combining founder drive with product-market momentum.