⚡ Productivity Interview with Two Geniuses - #11

Hey everyone!

A few days ago, while chatting with Benja at the office, we had a couple of questions about productivity. Generally, it's hard to find good YouTube channels or newsletters in Spanish that tackle productivity like Ali Abdaal, Tim Ferriss, and others. So, I decided to dive deeper into this topic, which I'm quite passionate about.

What does it mean to be productive? What methodology should you use to be more productive? What tools can help? How do sports and nutrition play a role?

These were some questions I asked two great friends in an interview format. We've always talked about these topics, and I consider them two of the most productive people I know. Let me introduce them:

• Alejandro Chung: Co-founder of Yeppo, the largest Korean cosmetics e-commerce store in Chile, with physical shops in Recoleta and Providencia.

• Thomas Maremaa: Co-founder of Encuadrado, the all-in-one platform for independent professionals, offering services from appointment scheduling to payment processing. Currently active in Chile and Mexico.

Here's the interview with these geniuses!

*Some responses have been edited for readability.

Alejandro Chung

Do you consider yourself a productive person? Why?

Yes, I consider myself productive because when I work with a team or, more precisely, when planning my and the team's schedule, I make things happen. This isn't only due to my effort but also to coordinating others' efforts. I orchestrate the teamwork dynamics to achieve the goals we set, aiming for more strategic objectives.

What tools do you use daily to manage your time, tasks, projects, to-dos, etc.?

I use Calendly to schedule meetings and coordinate with teams, Google Calendar for time-blocking, and Notion to document tasks and notes. Sunsama helps me manage daily tasks from various channels like Slack and WhatsApp and plan my week. OpenAI's ChatGPT is handy for drafting emails, creating procedures, and summarizing technical documents, reducing administrative load. I use BlueMail for email communication, crafting clear and context-appropriate responses.

Do you use any methodology to stay organized, be more productive, etc.?

I've tried various methodologies but haven't committed to any particular one. The Eisenhower Matrix, for example, is something I consider when organizing my schedule, but I don't use it systematically every day. I also try to tackle the most challenging tasks in the morning (Eat That Frog), when I have more energy, to avoid procrastination. I've used similar methodologies and others focusing on reducing daily work hours, but ultimately, I follow my experience as a manager and entrepreneur, knowing I must dive into strategic aspects and delegate operational tasks.

Describe your typical workday from when you wake up until you go to bed.

My day starts at 8 a.m. after 7-8 hours of sleep. After my morning routine, I have a simple breakfast and start work by checking messages on WhatsApp and Slack.

I use BlueMail to manage emails and Sunsama to plan my day, connecting it with my email and Slack. This way, I keep my schedule organized and optimize my time and energy. I also check Notion, where I have a morning triage checklist.

After reviewing messages and creating tasks in Sunsama, I plan and prioritize activities for today, tomorrow, and the following week. I allocate an estimated time for each task and sync my schedule with Google Calendar.

While executing tasks, I take short breaks every 30 minutes to stay focused. For lunch, I use food delivery services like ecook.cl, simplifying meals, reducing emotional load from decision fatigue, and taking care of my health.

At the end of the day, I briefly reflect on my achievements and lessons learned, then disconnect to focus on my personal life, including sports, relationships, and family.

How important do you consider sports, mindfulness, nutrition, etc., and how do you think it affects your productivity?

Sports and a healthy diet are crucial for my productivity and well-being. I practice triathlon for self-care and ensure a balanced diet.

I use supplements like ZMA (zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6), which helps with muscle recovery and restorative sleep, allowing me to face the next day with renewed energy. I also use L-theanine, a compound from green tea that provides relaxation and focus, in stressful situations like oral presentations or important meetings.

If you could only keep one app/software for a year, which would it be and why?

If I had to choose just one app, it would be Notion. It's versatile, incorporates AI, allows you to create tables, organize tasks, set priorities and deadlines, and assign responsibilities. Notion is similar to project management apps like Trello or Asana and can also create documents like Microsoft Word.

What advice or tip would you give for general productivity?

Productivity is more of a feeling than a measurable concept. Some people spend hours at their computer without feeling productive, which can harm their well-being. Productivity requires focus and defining high-impact priority tasks. It's important to remember that things don't always go as planned, and we shouldn't stress over it. In summary, mindset and perspective on productivity matter, and it's crucial to delegate tasks, especially at managerial levels. Delegating operational tasks saves time and resources, allowing focus on more significant responsibilities.

Thomas Maremaa

Do you consider yourself a productive person? Why?

While I wouldn't describe myself as completely productive, I do consider myself organized and disciplined. I always look for ways to improve my productivity, but I'm not an expert.

What tools do you use daily to manage your time, tasks, projects, to-dos, etc.?

I use tools like Cron, Notion, and iPhone Reminders to keep track of my tasks, projects, and daily responsibilities.

Do you use any methodology to stay organized, be more productive, etc.?

I've implemented timeboxing into my routine, blocking specific time slots in my calendar to focus on projects and pending tasks. This allows me to have better control over my time and not have my calendar open for everyone.

Describe your typical workday from when you wake up until you go to bed.

I start my day by waking up, drinking water, and taking supplements. Then I do some physical activity, like going to the gym, jogging, yoga, or walking. Afterward, I shower, have coffee (sometimes breakfast), and spend time journaling and educating myself, either by reading or listening to a podcast, along with planning my day. After a quick catch-up on what's happening, I start working. I have lunch, continue working, and then cook dinner. To end the day, I check my to-dos, read or entertain myself, and finally do some stretching or mindfulness practice before going to bed.

How important do you consider sports, mindfulness, nutrition, etc., and how do you think it affects your productivity?

It's crucial. I believe sports, nutrition, and mindfulness are essential for my well-being and productivity. When I neglect any of these aspects, I notice a negative impact on my performance. While it's hard to maintain perfect balance, I try my best to stay active and eat healthily. Regarding mindfulness, I've struggled to maintain a consistent practice in the last year, but I keep trying.

If you could only keep one app/software for a year, which would it be and why?

I'd choose Notion, as it offers a wide range of functionalities that can meet various needs, such as taking notes, writing, and organizing information.

What advice or tip would you give for general productivity?

To improve productivity, discipline and organization are crucial. It's important to develop the mental strength to avoid distractions, like not having multiple browser tabs open or constantly checking WhatsApp, email, Slack, etc.

🦉 Quote of the Week "The more extreme the outcome, the less likely you can apply its lessons to your own life, because the more likely the outcome was influenced by extreme ends of luck or risk." — Morgan Housel, The Psychology of Money

And that's it for today! If you liked this, let me know in the feedback below. If not, tell me anyway.

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See you next week!