In the bustling world we live in, it’s become crucial for individuals to find the right balance, the perfect harmony between their professional and personal lives. Given this ever-increasing need for productivity, I’m here to share a simple, yet effective, method: the LAZI productivity system.
Before you jump to conclusions, the acronym doesn’t represent the English word “lazy.” It stands for “Lash,” “Agenda,” “Zettelkasten,” and “Inventory”—the four pillars of this system that have revolutionized the way I organize my life. So, let’s delve in!
L: Lash Your Calendar to Your Day
For many of us, the calendar serves as the skeleton that shapes our day. It’s our lash—the whip that guides what we’re doing at any given moment of any day.
Here are three ways I utilize my calendar:
- Time Blocking: If I have to do something, it gets a block in my calendar. This means anything from filming a video to dinner with friends.
- Calendar Invites: If something isn’t in my calendar, it simply won’t happen. I base my life on calendar invites.
- Protected Time: There are periods of my day dedicated solely to deep work activities, like writing my book every morning from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
A: The Anti-To-Do List Agenda
The second part of “How I Organize My Life” revolves around the concept of an Agenda. In lieu of the traditional to-do list, I prefer the might-do list. This liberating concept is a list of tasks that I might do if I want to, not because I have to.
Every day, I highlight the one task that is most important—my daily highlight. The other tasks are mere options, not obligations. This way, I feel in control, not enslaved by my to-do list.
Z: Zettelkasten, The Note-Taking Guru
Zettelkasten is a German word meaning slip box. It’s a note-taking and knowledge management system popularized by Niklas Luhmann, who was incredibly productive, writing 70 books and over 400 articles during his lifetime.
For me, this means using Roam Research to take notes, write down thoughts, and organize ideas. One routine that significantly helps is the morning dump—writing down whatever’s on my mind every morning. This way, my mind is decluttered, and I am ready to conquer the day.
I: Inventory – The Digital Archive
The final component of the LAZI productivity system is Inventory, which involves file management and archiving. My whole life is on Google Drive, which allows me to access files from any device, any time.
In addition to Google Drive, I use Evernote for archiving. It serves as my digital attic—any letter, document, or file I need to save goes straight into Evernote.
FAQS:
1. Why do you call your method the “LAZI” productivity system?
The LAZI system stands for Lash, Agenda, Zettelkasten, and Inventory. Each represents a different aspect of how I organize my life, from managing time to archiving documents.
2. How often do you review your “might-do” list?
I review my might-do list daily, choosing one task as my daily highlight—the most important task for that day.
3. What apps do you use for this productivity system?
to get to the next part of the source material
I primarily use five apps:
- Google Calendar: This helps me plan and manage my time efficiently. It is also handy for setting reminders for important tasks and events.
- Roam Research: This is my go-to app for taking notes and organizing ideas. Its ability to create linked references between notes is a game-changer.
- Todoist: While I call my task list a “might-do” list, I actually keep it in Todoist. This app is brilliant for setting tasks and tracking progress.
- Google Drive: All my documents and files are saved on Google Drive. It gives me the flexibility to access them from anywhere.
- Evernote: I use Evernote as a digital archive. It’s excellent for storing any letter, document, or file that I need to save.
Conclusion
The LAZI productivity system—Lash, Agenda, Zettelkasten, and Inventory—is my way of creating harmony between all facets of my life. Each element represents a different aspect of organization, and together, they provide a comprehensive structure for managing my time, tasks, thoughts, and files.
While it may seem complex, it’s actually quite intuitive once you start using it. The key is to make it your own—customize it to suit your lifestyle and needs. After all, productivity isn’t about doing more, but doing what matters most efficiently.
Remember, “productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” – Paul J. Meyer.