Your two selves

Happy Friday!

Realizing we, as humans, are not rational beings and finding ways how to deal with this, is one of my biggest Productivity learnings. The concept of behavioral economics (with famous books such as Thinking Fast and Slow) can actually also be applied to our productivity. Today, I want to mention one of the best analogies I have seen on this topic from the book Nudge, and my own thoughts.

We are both Homer Simpson & Mr. Spock

We mainly have two selves. Our Mr. Spock self (The Planner) is rational and conscious about what is best for us in the long-run. Our Homer Simpson self (The Doer) is impulsive and will prioritize the short-term gain. Actually, Homer has been quoted saying how some of his actions will not impact him, but "Future Homer" as he seems to only view the instant gratification.

Our Mr. Spock self wants to eat more greens, exercise daily, and work on big difficult projects at work. Our Homer Simpson self wants to eat a burger with fries for lunch, lay to rest on the couch and find any excuse to procrastinate. The issue is that our Homer Simpson self will always find an excuse to justify why they took such action, for example:

• "I was about to work on that big project but a couple of important emails came through and I needed to answer them"

• "I didn't sleep really well last night, maybe today is not a good day to exercise”

• "A salad sounds like a lot of work, and look at that line at Sweetgreen, I'll just grab a burger quickly from that food truck instead"

How does this relate to having an Effective Week?

Having an Effective Week is tied to accomplishing your long-term goals. Only Mr. Spock can decide what you should aim to accomplish that week. Think about it:

Right now, if your next 1 hour meeting gets cancelled and you are suddenly free...do you know what to start working on?

Most people don't, and so they let their Homer Simpson self decide (Spoiler alert: their Homer Simpson self opens their inbox and starts reading email - the instant gratification of the modern-age knowledge worker)

OK, I get it...so what do I do now?

1. Determine when you are The Most Spock: From my own research, I have noticed that at work, it is common for most people to be their most Spock self either early on a Monday or late on a Friday.

2. Have Mr. Spock plan your week

   • Write down the 3-5 things you are accomplishing at work (max 1 per day)

   • Plan your meals for the week and buy the ingredients to prepare them (or sign to a meal delivery subscription)

   • Sign up to a corporate training, a Pilates class, dentist appointment, or whatever it is you know your Homer Simpson self will not do unless it feels the pressure

3. Fill your calendar with the exact time and day where you will do doing all things you planned for the week. Your goal is that if you suddenly get 1 hour free, your Homer Simpson self knows EXACTLY what to do.

4. Keep Homer happy: Remember that “No TV and no beer make Homer go crazy”. Believe me, eating just salads and just doing the difficult things at work, is not sustainable. Insert time for the things you know your Homer Simpson self enjoys, but the trick is to do it consciously.

5. Be aware of the Planning Fallacy: when you are planning what to do - remember Mr. Spock is ambitious and Homer Simpson will actually be the one executing everything.

I have already shared my thoughts on #5 (link above). My Mr. Spock self is now committing to do follow up posts on #1-4.

Love your(two)self,

Jorge Luis Pando