An interesting productivity hack

X post: https://x.com/oreghall/status/1882318591074463769
Author: @oreghall

"I've recently found a productivity hack that moved me from bottom 10% conscientiousness to top 10% overnight, where other techniques have failed. I know there must be others out there who would find it useful, so l figured a twitter thread is the best thing short of a blog post.

The technique is to ardently follow a single rule: Write down every decision on paper, don't act without first writing down a decision. I've followed this rule all day, every day, for the past four weeks. The rule has two primary effects:

1. It eliminates impulsivity by forcing you to reflect and consider every decision. About to check your phone? Oh yeah, I have to write a decision down. On second thought, I'm supposed to be finishing this other task, so it can wait.

2. It gives you a tool to cut through indecisiveness. Instead of getting stuck in analysis paralysis until you get distracted with something unproductive, you are forced to make a concrete decision if you want to act.

Since starting: - I've completed many things I've been putting off for weeks or months. - I've made progress on long term goals where I was previously making none. - I've successfully implemented routines and habits that never stuck before.

You might be thinking, as did before starting, that this is too strict. On the contrary, I've found it's actually surprisingly flexible as long as you implement it properly.

The way I implement it, you can cancel any decision as long as you do it conscientiously, by crossing it out on the page. This allows unlimited spontaneity, as long as that spontaneous decision is approved mindfully.

You also don't have to be hyper-specific with decisions. As long as your current action is compatible with the last written decision, it's valid and doesn't need to be written down. This means you can be as specific or general with your decisions as you deem necessary.

This flexibility is what allows it to be used all day every day. If you want to relax, simply write "relax for an hour" and set a timer. While relaxing anything goes. The key is that you made the decision intentionally rather than impulsively.

This technique also has the effect of making other tools much more effective. When you are stopping to consciously decide what to do next several dozen times a day, you have many opportunities to decide to check ToDo lists, Schedules, Routines, etc.

I don't expect this technique to work for everyone, but it's easy enough to try and find out. If you happen to have a similar set of strengths and weaknesses as me, it could be a game changer.

This is the first time I've made this method public. If you have any questions, ask away and I'll answer when I have time. Let me know if it works for you!"