Establish clear metrics to make certain that you are following your plan
Ideally, someone other than you should be objectively measuring and reporting on your progress. If you’re not hitting your targets, that’s another problem that needs to be diagnosed and solved. There are many successful, creative people who aren’t good at execution. They succeed because they forge symbiotic relationships with highly reliable task-doers.
Great planners who don’t execute their goals go nowhere
You need to push through and that requires self-discipline to follow your script. It’s important to remember the connections between your tasks and the goals that they are meant to achieve. When you feel yourself losing sight of that, stop and ask yourself “why?” Lose sight of the why and you will surely lose sight of your goals.
Begin with the end in mind
Envision what you want in the future so you can work and plan towards it. Understand how people make decisions in their life. To be effective you need to act based on principles and constantly review your mission statements. Are you - right now - who you want to be? What do I have to say about myself? How do you want to be remembered? Grow and stay humble.
Think about what you want today and you'll spend your time. Think about what you want in 5 years and you'll invest your time — James Clear
Plan your rewards (eg. leisure time) early to maximize your total happiness
This is because just imagining about your rewards (eg. leisure time) makes you feel that you are happy and satisfied. Example: planning out a fun activity for your leisure time for the end of the day will make you feel happier and satisfied during your day which will help you to crave less about other desires or distractions (from @Tianyu Guo 's experience)
Differentiate between what is important and what is urgent
Use the Eisenhower Matrix.
Close relationships are the biggest contributors to one’s happiness
Surround yourself with individuals who want to see you succeed and who will encourage you. You'll push each other to new heights; each person's life will improve as the lives of others improve. They'll hold you accountable if you make a mistake and support you if you stumble. Don't hang out with people that try to bring you down to make themselves feel better. From TED Talk What makes a good life
The “Sean Ellis Test”
Ask your user, “How would you feel if you can no longer use the product?” with 3 options: “I would be very disappointed”, “I would be somewhat disappointed”, and “I would be not disappointed”.Product market fit = have >40% user say “I would be very disappointed”No product market fit & struggle to grow = have <40% user say “I would be very disappointed” Benchmarked around 100+ venture backed companies, better than Net Promoter Score
Relationships
Anyone who I cannot be 100% honest to are the people I don't want to be around
“Because I do not want to work on multiple threads in my mind at the same time, not be in the moment, nor have to think about different future predictions and past regret.” Podcast episode timestamp:
https://castbox.fm/vb/84126206?_t=39%3A50
Do not go into a hierarchical relationship
“I don't want to be in a hierarchical relationship. I don't want to be above anybody or be below anybody.” ”Because it is most comfortable to treat people like a peer.” Podcast episode timestamp:
https://castbox.fm/vb/84126206?_t=40%3A36
Do not be angry and do not be around angry people
“Just like the Buddhism saying: Anger is a hot coal that you will either burn your hand or throw at somebody.” Podcast episode timestamp:
https://castbox.fm/vb/84126206?_t=40%3A38
Praise specifically and criticize generally
“Never criticize a person, only criticize the general approach. Everyone have some ego. This way, people's ego will never work against you, they would work for you.” Podcast episode timestamp:
https://castbox.fm/vb/84126206?_t=42%3A46
Practice active listening
This tool teaches you the skill of Active Listening, a strategy commonly used by therapists, helpline volunteers, and hostage negotiators to make people feel supported and understood.