Definition:

1. Grouping similar tasks and doing them at one time.

Insights:

1. Batching is a solution to distracting, time consuming, repetitive tasks.
2. Rather than tackle small tasks as they come in, it is often more efficient to wait until there is a larger group of similar tasks that can be handled at once.
3. Scattering small tasks throughout the day or week means interrupting larger more important tasks.

Principles:

1. Batch meetings or calls by limiting them to specific days.
2. Batch similar activities to limit setup costs.
3. Identify what you can 'routinise' by batching.

Quotes:

One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.

Principles:

1. Eliminate first, then delegate.

Insights:

1. Golden Rule: Delegated tasks must be (1) Time Consuming (2) Well defined.

Reference: Barry Schwartz book.

Insights:

1. The more options you consider, the less satisfied you will be with your choice.

Insights:

1. As employees there is often no incentive to spend your time well unless you have commission.
2. For entrepreneurs the wasting of time is very expensive. It can often be a matter of habit, coming from a culture of 9-5.
3. We will complete a project in the time allocated.
4. Shortened deadlines force us to focus on the essential.
5. To increase productivity there are 2 approaches that are inversions of each other. The 80/20 Rule: limit tasks to the important to shorten work time; Parkinson's Law: Shorten work time to limit tasks to the important.

Principles:

1. Shorten schedules and deadlines.
2. Shorten meetings.

Quotes:

The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.