Definition: Grouping similar tasks and doing them at one time.
Insight: Batching is a solution to distracting, time consuming, repetitive tasks.
Insight: 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.
Insight: Scattering small tasks throughout the day or week means interrupting larger more important tasks.
Principle: Batch meetings or calls by limiting them to specific days.
Principle: Batch similar activities to limit setup costs.
Principle: Identify what you can 'routinise' by batching.
Definition: Grouping similar tasks.
Example: Grouping creative tasks together and administrative tasks together in separate batches.
Insight: Batching is a solution to the 'Cognitive Switching Penalty' (the loss in productivity from switching between tasks): the less you switch, the lower the cost.
Insight: By focusing on similar types of tasks at once we are more efficient.
Insight: Trying to fit administrative tasks between creative tasks kills productivity.
Principle: Batch similar types of tasks.
Principle: Create large blocks of uninterupted time for creative tasks (Maker's Schedule), and smaller chunks of time for meetings (Manager's Schedule).
Definition: A form of time management that allows you to leverage focus and reduce distractions.
Definition: To arrange in sets or groups
Insight: It is estimated that every time we move from project to project, it takes around 15 minutes to regain focus.
Principle: Batch similar tasks.
Principle: Plan the week ahead and batch time according to the projects you have.
Principle: Separate creative and administrative tasks.
Insight: Batching leverages the following law of productivity: High Quality Work = (Time Spent) x (Intensity of Focus)
Reference: Adam Grant: highest rated teacher at Wharton - batches all his teaching into 1 semester, turning to research in the spring and summer.
Insight: Engaging in focused work by batching similar tasks creates efficiency in completing tasks.
Principle: Group similar type of tasks and perform them on specific days of the week.
Definition: Doing similar things at the same time.
Insight: When you do similar or identical tasks in a row, you can reduce the time taken to complete each task.
Principle: Do similar tasks in a row, rather than breaking them up to do at different times.
Principle: Assign specific blocks of time for answering emails.
Principle: Build rewards into routine: give yourself a reward when you finish a group of batched tasks.
Principle: Batch food prep to avoid defaulting to easy junk foods.
IV. Summary of Key Insights & Principles
Productivity
Every time we switch between tasks, or types of tasks, we lose productivity, and it can take time to regain focus.
It is more efficient to group similar tasks together and do them at the same time.
Switching between creative and administrative tasks kills creativity and productivity.
Identify what groups of tasks can be made routine through batching and time blocking.
Group similar tasks, and do them at the same time.
Separate creative and administrative tasks.
Give yourself rewards after finishing a group of batched tasks.
Plan the week ahead, create blocks of time according to the tasks at hand.
