How to Navigate Productivity: Captain, Ship, and Engineer
3 Oct 2023
In this edition of ThreeFold Tuesday, I'm zooming out to discuss the essence of productivity.
Productivity isn't just about ticking off more tasks. It's about ticking off the right tasks.
It's about accomplishment over activity, progress over busyness, and prioritization over saying yes to every request.
To me, true productivity is becoming more intentional about work while emphasizing overall well-being.
Two years ago, I followed Ali Abdaal's productivity course on Skillshare. The following two models resonated deeply, so much so that I still use a slightly adjusted version when introducing productivity to my masterclass participants.
First, let's distill productivity into an equation:
Second, productivity can also manifest in three personas - the Captain, the Ship, and the Engineer.
The Captain
As the most important figure on board, the Captain represents your strategic, visionary self.
As the Captain, you chart the ship's journey and set clear goals, strategies and tactics to reach the destination.
When the ship inevitably deviates from its route, it's the Captain's responsibility to course-correct.
To become a better Captain, learn more about planning, introspection, and upgrading your mental software.
2. The Ship
For most of our day, we act as the Ship, adhering to the Captain's course.
It's about implementing and staying the course.
However, it's also vital to pause sometimes and let the Captain reassess the route when needed.
To improve as the Ship, hone your discipline, cultivate habits, and stay committed to the Captain's instructions. Let the Engineer assist you in finding the best protocols and routines.
Here's a secret productivity hack: Mood follows action.
3. The Engineer
The Engineer focuses on optimization.
This persona ensures the Ship functions smoothly and efficiently. Organisation, systems, and protocols fall under the Engineer's purview.
Recognizing the importance of physical and mental well-being, the Engineer also prioritizes health. After all, you only have one Ship - if you sink you will never reach your desired destination.
As the Engineer learns how to become more efficient, they inform the Captain about potential improvements, aiding in a quicker arrival time.
Become a craftier Engineer by instilling processes, employing design thinking, and leveraging tools to expedite your voyage.
Relating back to our productivity equation, these roles align seamlessly:
The Captain ensures the output is useful
The Ship produces the output
The Engineer guarantees efficient execution
Don't forget to have fun along the way!
Embrace each persona and integrate each one's perspectives into your daily life. Just wait and see how your productivity transforms over time.
I'd love to hear your thoughts - reply to this email or tweet at me @Sandrerooo.
Fun Fact of the Week
Being among the first premium subscribers of the Huberman Lab Podcast, I had the privilege to ask Dr. Andrew Huberman a question, which he addressed in the very first member-only AMA episode.
I asked: "Hi Andrew, knowing all you know now - what advice would you give to your 25-30 year-old self?"
You can listen to his 20-minute (!) response here.
In essence, he'd advise his younger self on stress management, particularly emphasizing:
Learning about the physiological sigh to handle stress better in the moment. Here's how to do it:
Take a big inhale through the nose, followed by another short inhale to fully expand the chest. Next, do a long exhale through the mouth.Building a resilience buffer against stress through deliberately boosting adrenaline, like cold showers or ice baths, and cycling hyperventilation breathing exercises (Akin to Wim Hof breathing).
For in-depth explanations of each protocol, tune in to this premium-only episode.
Quote of the Week
A valuable skill in life is to be larger than the situation.
When you're feeling stressed or rattled, the situation is consuming you. It feels bigger and more important than it needs to be. This is when your emotions are likely to get the best of you.
But when you are larger than the situation, you can mentally "step outside and above it." Yes, there are problems to be solved.
Yes, you need to take action. But the chaos is happening externally and you are still in the driver's seat internally.
You're in control of the moment, the moment is not in control of you.
By James Clear on JamesClear.com
Have a great week!
Sandrero