11 February 2021

Life Hacks 203 - #281

0Frameworks

12Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Hot Take· 1

Hot Take55:30

You Are the Common Denominator in Your Life

If a pattern repeats in your relationships, work, or experiences, you are likely the constant factor. This uncomfortable truth emphasizes personal responsibility and agency.

Recurring problems often stem from self
Applies to both negative and positive patterns
Encourages ownership of failures and successes
Promotes growth over victimhood

“You are the common denominator in every experience within your life.”
Guest · 56:00

#self-awareness#personal-growth#relationships#mindset

Explainer· 4

Explainer08:30

Use a 10-Second Countdown to Wake Up

To overcome difficulty waking up, the guest recommends counting down from 10 with a deep breath on each number. This technique mimics the urgency of a coach’s countdown in high-intensity workouts, helping trigger immediate action.

Counting down creates psychological urgency
Deep breathing increases oxygen and alertness
Technique inspired by CrossFit-style coaching cues
Prevents returning to sleep after waking

“Count down from 10 and breathe quickly with each count... there's something about a countdown that forces you into action.”
Guest · 09:00

#morning-routine#sleep#wake-up-method#breathing

Explainer19:30

Boost Energy with Music and Mini Mobility Routine

To combat low energy and brain fog, especially before evening recordings, the guest plays a short energetic playlist while doing a quick circuit of press-ups, squats, and stretches. This increases blood flow and mental sharpness.

Combines music and light movement for state change
Includes 2–3 songs and 5 minutes of exercise
Improves alertness without caffeine
Accessible anywhere, anytime

“Turn some music on... and just doing a little mobility circuit... the difference with a little bit of blood flow is incredible.”
Guest · 20:00

#energy-boost#mobility#music#productivity

Explainer32:00

Read Faster by Silencing Your Inner Voice

To increase reading speed, stop mentally vocalizing words. Instead, absorb text visually like subtitles or signs. This technique allows faster comprehension by bypassing auditory processing.

Inner voice limits reading speed
Visual scanning mimics subtitle reading
Practice detaching audiophonic loop from text
Can double reading speed with practice

“You tend to have the inner voice reading aloud... if you just stop that, you read way quicker.”
Johnny · 32:30

#reading#speed-reading#focus#learning

Explainer44:00

Break Big Tasks into Next Actions

Large to-do items like 'plan TED talk' are actually projects, not actions. Break them into small, concrete next steps (e.g., 'open document') to reduce resistance and ensure progress.

Big tasks are projects, not actions
Only the first step should be on your to-do list
Example: 'Ask a friend for website recommendations'
Reduces procrastination by clarifying what to do

“Breaking something like that down into single actions... and then only looking at the first step is such an easy way to always be nudging…”
Guest · 44:30

#productivity#gtd#procrastination#task-breakdown

Tool· 4

Tool01:30

Waterproof Notepad for Shower Ideas

Johnny uses a waterproof notepad and pencil in the shower to capture spontaneous ideas that might otherwise be forgotten. The system allows him to write notes without interference from water or steam, which improves idea retention.

Uses waterproof paper and pencil that adhere to tiles via suction
Captures 3–4 ideas per shower on average
Transfers notes to Omnifocus after showering
Helps convert fleeting 'shower thoughts' into actionable items

“I have what I think is the best list of life hacks I've ever had... it is a waterproof notepad for the shower.”
Johnny · 01:30

#productivity#note-taking#shower-ideas#life-hack

Tool12:30

Power Hooks for Heavy Dumbbell Training

Power hooks are a low-cost tool that wrap around dumbbells, allowing users to unrack them like barbells. This helps lift heavier weights safely, especially for strong individuals who struggle to position heavy dumbbells.

Metal handles that attach to dumbbells
Enables safe unracking of heavy dumbbells
Priced around £20–30 and portable
Ideal for exercises like dumbbell press and overhead press

“Power hooks... you hold on to it and you're able to basically unwrap the dumbbells as you would a barbell.”
Guest · 12:30

#fitness#gym-tools#strength-training#dumbbell

Tool49:00

Use Day One for Reflective Journaling

Day One is a digital journaling app that stores memories, emotions, and reflections with photos, location, and timestamps. Its 'read this day' feature helps track personal growth over time.

Tracks location, photos, and dates
Password-protected for privacy
Revisits past entries to show progress
Helps recognize emotional evolution

“Occasionally it'll say 'read this post on this day from five years ago'... you realize how much you've changed.”
Guest · 51:30

#journaling#mental-health#self-reflection#day-one

Tool60:00

Take Creatine with Multivitamin for Consistency

To stay consistent with creatine, take it at the same time as a daily multivitamin. Using tablets eliminates the need for mixing powders and integrates seamlessly into existing routines.

Stacks with existing supplement habit
Tablets are convenient but large
Avoids inconsistency from separate timing
Improves adherence through habit pairing

“I take five creatine tablets when I take my multivitamin and I always take my creatine.”
Guest · 60:30

#supplements#habit-stacking#fitness#creatine

Takeaway· 3

Takeaway22:00

Keep a Sacred Training Playlist

Curate a special playlist reserved only for workouts to preserve its emotional impact. Listening to powerful songs only during training strengthens motivation and performance.

Only listen to playlist during workouts
Preserves emotional effect of songs
Curate from past yearly favorites
Avoids overexposure diminishing impact

“Have songs in your playlist that you only listen to when you're training... it creates this effect.”
Guest · 22:30

#music#training#motivation#ritual

Takeaway40:00

Do Your Most Important Task First

Start the day by completing the one task that would make the rest of the day feel successful. This reduces mental load and increases freedom for the remainder of the day.

Identify the highest-leverage task
Complete it first thing in the morning
Reduces anxiety from unfinished tasks
Makes the rest of the day feel more liberated

“What is the one thing that if I did it today, it would make the entire rest of my day feel like a success?”
Guest · 40:00

#productivity#morning-routine#task-management#focus

Takeaway64:30

Keep Notification Badges, Silence Alerts

Turn off sound notifications but leave badge icons visible. This reduces distraction while still providing awareness of pending messages, preventing compulsive checking.

Badges show unread count without interruption
Prevents anxiety from 'unknown' notifications
Reduces app-checking spirals
Allows intentional response timing

“Turning all notifications off but leaving the red badge on allows you to relax a bit because you can see it accumulating.”
Guest · 65:30

#digital-wellness#notifications#focus#phone-habits