22 ONE-MINUTE Habits That Save Me 25+ Hours a Week
Ali Abdaal shares 22 small habits (each taking under a minute to execute) that compound into significant time savings each week. The habits span focus, phone management, computer efficiency, scheduling, and outsourcing — all grounded in the principle that energy and enjoyment drive productivity. ---
Key Concepts
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Attention residue | When distracted, part of your focus stays on the distraction, making it harder to return to deep work |
| Multimodality multitasking | Combining tasks that use different cognitive/physical channels (e.g., listening + walking) — works where same-channel multitasking fails |
| Batching | Grouping similar tasks together in one session to avoid repeated context switching |
| Text expansion | Shortcuts that auto-fill frequently typed strings (email, address, etc.) |
| Do Not Disturb (DND) | Blanket notification blocking with whitelisted exceptions only |
| Capture habit | Immediately externalising any to-do into a trusted system so the brain doesn't hold it |
Notes
Morning Prioritisation
- Ask: *"What is today's adventure going to be?"* — identifies the single most important task
- "Adventure" framing encourages a spirit of play, which research links to higher creativity and productivity
- Immediately block that task in the calendar — if it's not scheduled, it won't get done
- When the block arrives, start a **visible focus timer** to stay on task
Phone & Notification Management
- Phone face-down and notifications off while working; ideally in a different room
- Keep phone on **Do Not Disturb at all times** — whitelist only key people (family)
- Block social apps after 9:00 p.m. — late scrolling destroys sleep → reduces next-day energy → reduces productivity
- No phone in the bedroom; charge it across the room (or in another room entirely)
- Bedside alternative: Kindle only
Computer Efficiency
- Learn keyboard shortcuts for every frequently used app (Excel, Notion, Google Docs, Slack, etc.)
- Never use the mouse to open apps — use keyboard launchers:
- **Mac**: Spotlight or **Alfred**
- **Windows**: Windows key + type
- Set up **text expansion** for anything typed repeatedly:
- Tools: TextExpander, Alfred, iPhone keyboard settings (Text Replacement)
- Examples: email address, home address, phone number, VAT number
- Use **voice-over typing / dictation** for drafts and ideas — speaking is faster than typing for most people
- Ali types ~156 wpm but still speaks faster
- App mentioned: Voice Pal (for on-the-go dictation with AI follow-up questions)
Task & Information Management
- **Capture habit**: Write down every to-do the moment it occurs into a trusted system
- Tool: Things 3 (with widget for instant capture)
- Reduces cognitive load, stress, and forgotten tasks
- **WhatsApp lists**: Organise contacts by emoji-labelled lists (family, friends by location, team, business associates)
- Enables rapid triage of the ~8 important unreads out of 294 total
- Reduces anxiety about missing urgent messages
Consuming Information Faster
- Listen to audiobooks and podcasts at **speed multiples** (start at 1.5x, train up to 2x–3.5x)
- Especially useful for exploratory learning vs. deep exploitation of material
Double Dipping (Multimodal Multitasking)
- Combine passive physical tasks with audio learning (e.g., commute + audiobook/podcast at speed)
- **Walking Zoom calls**: take meetings outside to accumulate steps simultaneously
- 10,000 steps ≈ 100 minutes of walking; most days have ≥100 min of calls
- **Walking treadmill desk**: walk at 3–4 km/h during non-filming workdays and meetings
- Also used during gaming sessions
Scheduling & Coordination
- Use **recurring calendar blocks** for important personal events (date nights, gym, coaching, team meetings)
- Eliminates repeated coordination overhead
- **Batch recurring bookings**: when booking one date-night restaurant, book the next 3–4 at the same time
- Schedule commitments (e.g., tennis) at **8:00 a.m.** — forces earlier wake-up and earlier bedtime, anchoring a productive sleep schedule
Outsourcing
- **Hire a cleaner**: outsource any task you dislike that costs less per hour than your own effective hourly rate
- **Hire an executive/virtual assistant**: handles email, calendar, and ad hoc tasks
- Service mentioned: Athena
Mindset
- Find a way to **enjoy** whatever you're working on — enjoyment increases productivity, creativity, reduces stress, and sustains energy across all life areas
- Core thesis of his book *Feel-Good Productivity*
Actionable Takeaways
- Start each morning by asking "What is today's adventure?" and block that task in your calendar immediately
- Put your phone face-down, in another room, and on Do Not Disturb while working
- Block social media apps after 9:00 p.m. and keep the phone out of the bedroom
- Install Alfred (Mac) or use Windows key search — stop touching the mouse to open apps
- Set up text expansion shortcuts for your email, address, and any string you type more than once
- Try voice dictation for first drafts and idea capture
- Create a capture inbox (e.g., Things 3 widget) and use it instantly for every to-do
- Organise WhatsApp with labelled lists to triage important contacts fast
- Ramp up listening speed to 1.5x–2x+ for audiobooks and podcasts
- Convert Zoom calls to walking calls whenever camera isn't required
- Convert recurring appointments (gym, date night, team meetings) to calendar repeats
- Batch book restaurants or similar logistics 3–4 sessions ahead in one sitting
- Anchor your sleep schedule by scheduling an 8:00 a.m. commitment several days a week
- Outsource tasks you dislike if the cost is below your effective hourly rate (cleaner, VA)
Quotes Worth Keeping
If it's not in the calendar, it does not get done.
Every time you get distracted, there is this thing called attention residue that makes it way harder for you to get back on task.
When you find a way to enjoy whatever task or project you are working on, it makes you more productive, more creative, less stressed, and gives you more energy to give to the other important areas of your life.