14 HARVARD TECHNIQUES to be better than 99% of the world
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14 HARVARD TECHNIQUES to be better than 99% of the world
- The 5 - second rule
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The moment you think of doing something productive, count down 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move.
Interrupts brain’ s hesitation loop before doubt creeps in.
Use it for :
Getting out of bed
Making that cold call
Starting a workout
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The Feymann technique
Pick a concept you’ re learning.
Write an exploratipn as if teaching it to a 12-year old, using zero jargon.
Wherever you get stuck, that’ s the gap.
Go back & relearn that part.
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- Eisenhowrr Matrix
Draw a 2×2 grid:
Urgent/ important
Important/ not urgent
Urgent / not important
Neither
Sort every task into one box.
Do box 1, schedule box 2, delegate box 3 and delete box 4.
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- The 2-minute rule
Whenever a task pops up - replying to an email, filing a doc, sending a quick message -
Ask “ will this take under 2 minutes ”
If yes, do it instantly instead of adding it your list.
Prevents small tasks from snowballing into mental clutter.
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- The POMODORO technique
Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Work on 1 task with your phone away.
When the timer ends, take a 5-minute break ;
Walk
Stretch
Hydrate
After 4 cycles, take a longer 20-30 minute break.
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- Active Recall
After reading a chapter or attending a meeting, close your notes and write down everything you remember.
Then check what you missed.
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- The 1% rule
Pick 1 skill or habit.
Improve to by a tiny, almost unnoticeable amount daily :
Read 1 extra page
Do 1 extra step
Send 1 extra outreach message
Track it. Compounding makes this exponential over a year.
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- Deep work blocks
Block 2-4 hours on your calender.
Turn off all notifications
Put your phone in another room.
And work on 1 high-value task only.
Treat this block as a non-negotiable meeting with yourself.
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- The Premortem
Before launching a project, gather your team and ask :
Imagine it’ s 6 months from now and this failed complete ---- why?
List every possible reason, then build safeguards into your plan now.
Before problems happen.
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- Habit Stacking
Identify a habit you already do consistently.
Attach your new desired habit immediately after it :
After I pour my coffee, I will write my top 3 priorities for the day.
The existing habit becomes the trigger.
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- The 80/20 Principle
80% of results are driven by 20% of actions you take.
Cut
Delegate
Reduce time
And get extra returns.
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- The Two-List strategy
Write down your top 5 career goals for this quarter.
Then make a second lost of everything else you’ re tempted to pursue.
Consciously avoid those until the top5 are done.
Clarity comes from elimination.
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- Reflecting Journaling
Every night spend 10 minutes writing 3 things :
What went well today
What didn't
One specific change for tomorrow.
Keep it short -- this isn’ t a diary
It's a feedback loop.