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Original article

Time management techniques that actually work

Key takeaway

• For entrepreneurs: Prioritize deep work and protect your most productive hours to maximize output and creativity.
• For investors: Look for companies and founders who demonstrate effective time management skills, as this often correlates with higher productivity and better business outcomes.

Summary

Lenny Rachitsky shares 10 practical time management techniques that have consistently helped him improve productivity. These include using a calendar for to-dos, the two-minute rule, maintaining a "waiting for" list, prioritizing 1-3 daily tasks, scheduling deep work time, limiting morning meetings, using Do Not Disturb mode, keeping work asynchronous, leveraging virtual assistants, and saying no more often. These techniques aim to help individuals focus on high-impact work and reduce time spent on less important tasks.

Insights

• Calendaring to-dos increases the likelihood of task completion
• The two-minute rule prevents small tasks from piling up
• A "waiting for" list helps track delegated tasks and follow-ups
• Limiting daily priorities to 1-3 items increases focus and accomplishment
• Regular deep work time is crucial for producing high-value output
• Limiting morning meetings preserves peak productivity hours
• Do Not Disturb mode minimizes distractions across devices
• Asynchronous communication can often replace time-consuming meetings
• Virtual assistants can handle low-impact tasks, freeing up time for important work
• Saying no more often helps prevent overcommitment and burnout

Implications