Productivity Without Planning: The Marc Andreessen Way
Why one of tech's most successful investors thinks your calendar might be holding you back
This week, I stumbled upon an intriguing take on personal productivity from Marc Andreessen.
While the original wisdom comes from his longer blog post, I found this delightfully condensed version making rounds on X that captures the essence perfectly.
Ever wondered how the guy who helped create the modern web browser actually gets stuff done?
Well, Andreessen's productivity philosophy goes against most conventional wisdom – and that's exactly what makes it interesting.
Warning: If you're someone who color-codes their calendar or gets a tiny hit of dopamine every time you check something off your to-do list, what you're about to read might make your brain do that Windows blue screen thing.
But if you've ever wished there was a productivity system built for actual humans instead of productivity robots, keep reading.
Just don't schedule a specific time to do it – you'll see why 😀
Marc Andreessen's guide to personal productivity
Don't keep a schedule
Refuse to commit to meetings, appointments, or activities at any set time in any future day
You can always work on whatever is most important or most interesting, at any time
Maintain only three lists:
Todo List: must-do commitments
Watch List: follow-ups and reminders
Later List: future possibilities
If it doesn't go on one of those three lists, it goes away
Daily planning system:
Create a 3x5 card each night with 3-5 key tasks for tomorrow
Use the back as an "anti-todo list" to record accomplishments
Each time you do something, you get to write it down and you get that little rush of endorphins
Practice "Structured Procrastination"
Never fight the tendency to procrastinate-instead, you should use it to your advantage in order to get other things done
While you're procrastinating, just do lots of other stuff instead
Deploy "Strategic Incompetence"
The best way to to make sure that you are never asked to do something again is to royally screw it up the first time
Email management:
The problem with email is that getting an email triggers that same endorphin hit
Check email only twice daily
Process to empty inbox each session
Use only three main folders: Pending, Review, and Vault
Communication:
• Don't answer the phone; let it go to voicemail
• Use headphones as a barrier to interruption. People feel much worse interrupting you if you are wearing headphones than if you're not
Decision making:
• Only agree to new commitments when both your head and your heart say yes
• If you're not doing something you love with the majority of your time, and you have any personal freedom and flexibility whatsoever, it's time for a change
Alright, that’s it for this week.
Manoj
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Seems like a smart guy. I try to do something similar - much simpler, I call it my life simplification plan. Topic of discussion when we meet next..
Short, sweet, do-able and doing!!