Page 36 - The 7 Day Startup: You Don’t Learn Until You Launch - PDFDrive.com

Work More Efficiently

When I was at university I figured out that I worked much faster the day before
my assignments were due. At first I fought it because it seemed like a slack
student thing to do. By the end, I embraced it.

When an assignment was announced, I would go to the library and copy ten or
so books that were relevant to the topic. I wouldn’t touch the assignment again
until the day before it was due. That’s when I’d crack open the books and delve
into the content. For exams, it meant I was more likely to remember the content
the next day and my work rate was insanely efficient.

This strategy took me from failing three out of four subjects in my first year to
averaging six and a half out of seven in my last year. They even put me on the
Dean’s list for exceptional students. If only the Dean knew!

You don’t want to do this every night, but there’s no doubt that a kick in the arse
will drive you—at least temporarily—to perform at a higher level.

It’s proven in research. You work more efficiently when you are close to a
deadline. If you are a long way out, you make tasks up that you think are
important. As a result, you don’t get any of the important work done.

Before you start a task, your brain visualizes the hardest parts to come. It then
tries to simulate real work by focusing on small mindless tasks. In other words,
you spend hours and days fussing over logos and website copy instead of selling
your product!

Once you start something with a clear end date, it drives you forward.