Elevate Letter #31: 7 Hacks to Crush Your To-Do List Every Day

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7 Hacks to Crush Your To-Do List Every Day - Video from Tiago Forte 🌻

Ok, we’ve figured out when we’ll be done for the day.

Now, let’s make sure we’re managing our tasks in a way that actually gets us there.

Here’s a TL;DW of this recent video from productivity expert Tiago Forte (author of Building a Second Brain).

7 rules to keep your to-do list under control:

1. Write tasks down immediately: Don’t rely on memory. Capture tasks as soon as they pop into your head using a task manager or notes app.

2. Use the 2-minute rule: If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it right away instead of adding it to your list.

3. Focus on the next physical action: Make tasks actionable with clear verbs like write, call, or schedule. Avoid vague tasks like “figure out” or “think about.”

4. Add all relevant info to tasks: Include details (links, emails, phone numbers) directly in the task to save time later.

5. Don’t put “read/watch/listen” tasks on your list: Move content to a “read later” app. Treat it as optional, not a priority.

6. Pick 3 important tasks per day: Limit your daily focus to 3 realistic tasks to avoid overwhelm and boost focus.

7. Match tasks to your energy levels: Do deep work when your energy is highest (typically mornings) and save light tasks for low-energy times.

Bonus tip — Let go of guilt: You won’t finish every task, and that’s okay. Focus only on what’s on your “today” list. Life’s too short to feel guilty about unfinished to-dos.

11 Simple ways to Fix Your STRESS in 3 Minutes 🤗

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn’t have to take over your day.

Whether it’s work deadlines, personal commitments, or just life’s unexpected challenges, we all encounter moments when stress seems overwhelming.

The key to staying on top of it lies in managing it effectively and efficiently.

Here are the 11 Simple ways to Fix Your STRESS in 3 Minutes:

A Chart that will change the way you see life 👨‍👩‍👧

Every six months or so, this chart finds its way back to me.

I always stop to look at it, and it never fails to hit hard.

It outlines how the average American spends their time over a lifespan—time with parents, friends, partners, children, coworkers, and time spent alone.

Here are my biggest takeaways:

1. By age 20 you’ll have used up the majority of time you have with your parents and siblings. Cherish your time with them—it's less than you may realize.

2. After age 30, the time you spend alone will gradually increase until you die. Loneliness is common, but not inevitable, if you make a conscious effort to keep in touch with friends and family.

3. A huge amount of your adult life will be spent with the people you work with. Make an effort to get along with your co-workers, you’ll be with them A LOT.

4. Around age 30 your number of close friends and the time you spend with them will decrease. Friends will come and go like seasons. But you always have the power to reach out.

5. The time you spend with your partner will increase until the day that one of you dies. Who you choose as a partner is the biggest decision you’ll make in life.

6. The second most important decision you'll make is where you live. Living closer to family and friends can make it easier to maintain those relationships. Simple as that.

How to Get Rich (without getting lucky) 💰

Most people think you get rich by getting lucky.

But Naval teaches us otherwise...

20 steps to get rich (without getting lucky):

Watch this to learn more in-depth:

»Naval Ravikant on Joe Rogan Podcast

P.S. : If you haven’t read our previous Elevate Letter editions here they are 😀 

»Elevate Letter #30: The 12 Foundations for Good Life

»Elevate Letter #29: 10 Soft Skills To Future-Proof Your Career

»Elevate Letter #28: The anti-procrastination hack that works 99% of the time (for me)