原文地址：
https://aliabdaal.com/newsletter/the-power-of-physical-reminders/
The Power of Physical Reminders
Hey friends,
This week’s message is pretty simple: never underestimate the power of physical reminders.
For the past weeks my team and I have used four big Magic Whiteboards (stuck to the studio wall) to plan all our YouTube content. It’s honestly been a huge productivity hack.
We do have a detailed production calendar in Notion. But having our guiding goals and principles on the wall keeps everyone focused and working in sync on big goals that matter.
(Btw I’m using these OG Magic Whiteboards.)
Here’s what’s on the 4 whiteboards:
- YouTube Clubs
A list of the 12 ‘types’ of video that I tend to make, including Tech Club, Health Club, Business Club, etc. If I ever get stuck thinking of a video idea, I glance at the list and ask myself ‘which of these have I not covered recently?’ - Rules of the Game
It’s hugely helpful to have these guiding principles on the wall – it reminds everyone (especially me) of what makes a good video, and of our high production standards. It’s so easy to technically know something (like ‘always have a snappy video hook’) but still forget to apply that knowledge. I try to run through the whole list before filming/uploading any video. - Project Blow Up the Channel With Shorts
YouTube Shorts can drive a lot of extra views, netting more subscribers who’ll get value from my long-form videos. So I’m trying to consistently publish a lot of them, using this content board as inspiration. This is similar to the Seinfeld Strategy – build up a streak for long enough and you won’t want to break it. Filming a big batch of Shorts can feel a bit tedious, but this chart helps me internalise that it’s all part of a grand plan rather than being pointless grunt work. - Project Long Form
Similar concept to the Shorts board. I’m aiming to publish roughly x2 long-form videos per week, and this chart reminds me + the team of that commitment every day. I write down what videos we’re aiming to release that week, and we all get a little kick of satisfaction when they’re uploaded and crossed off.
If you find yourself getting lost in the nitty-gritty of everyday life, I highly recommend giving yourself some physical reminders. Streak charts, wall calendars, Post-It notes – they’re all a good, constant reminder of your priorities.
I’ll report back in a few weeks on how this experiment plays out.
Most ‘productivity hacks’ feel game-changing for the first week or so, then get less effective as the novelty wears off… But that’s a topic for another issue 😛
Have a great week!
Ali xx
生词记录
physical 物理，身体，生理，实物，实际，肉体
technically 严格来说，理论上，技术性
snappy 生动，活泼
Blow Up 爆炸，炸毁
streak 连胜，条纹，斑纹，气质
tedious 繁琐，单调乏味，冗长，枯燥
internalise 内化
grand 盛大，隆重，豪华
pointless 无意义，无谓，不得要领
grunt 咕噜，繁重
commitment 承诺，致力于，决心
satisfaction 满足，满意
cross off 划掉
novelty 新鲜感，新奇
文章概述
作者和他的团队在白板上列出他们的任务，目标以及指导方案，提醒自己每天应该做什么，怎样做，不至于在每天繁琐的业务之中迷失而忘记初心，这对他们生产力提升有十分大的帮助。
个人感悟
列 TODO-List，将每天的任务按一定的优先级列出，然后执行。
这种方法确实有一定的帮助，但需要高度的自制力，自制力不足难以坚持。
其次，很多人看见别人列的计划详细，排版精致（譬如手账，计划本等诸如此类的），因此也会有跃跃欲试的冲动，但新鲜感一过就抛之脑后，列的什么计划早忘得一干二净，先玩为敬。
个人认为当你每天都被很多琐事烦恼时，可以用此方法梳理一下任务，避免手忙脚乱。若要每天都列计划，恐怕还是适合自制力非凡的优秀人才，这或许也就是别人为何持续优秀的原因之一。
