Notes from Steph Smith's course

Notes from Steph Smith’s Doing Time Right course

Time, energy & attention are zero sum. Saying yes to Y means saying no to X

Matrix showing time trade-offs

We spend our time like we have all the time in the world. We don’t.
Letting something happen is actively saying no to something else—you choose by default.
If it’s not leading you in the right direction, it’s dragging you away from your goals.
It’s real work to identify your core goals and actually move them forward every day. Most people get distracted, worry about what others think, or never get going.
“Lost time is never found again.” — Benjamin Franklin

Chart demonstrating compounding progress over time

Even if you go more slowly in the right direction you’ll see your efforts compound over time.
Moving slowly in the right direction is much better than racing in the wrong one.

Unearth the daily issues that drain energy and joy.

Diagnose: What’s not going well? What causes anxiety? What blocks progress? Are certain people or rules in the way? Do you have clarity on what needs to be done?
Act: What can you do about it? What will you do, and when?

If it isn’t adding to your happiness, don’t do it. Willpower eventually runs out; joy and a sense of progress keep you going.
Real effortless productivity is about making it easy and satisfying to show up and do the compounding work every day.
If you’re spending your time well you’re likely engaged and energized through the day.
Every project that passes the bar for “active” gets a simple daily metric and a check-in: did I enjoy doing this?
Not doing anything—taking a walk, meditating—can be the right move to become happier.

Cut to the core of an issue.
Find the simplest path: What would this look like if it was easy?
Try prompts such as “What is the number one thing keeping you from accomplishing your goals?” or “Does this activity help me achieve the results I want with less time and effort?”