Hey there, I’m Marco, a Staff Software Engineer who’s always chased the thrill of building something big, meaningful, and widely used. Over the years, I’ve been obsessed with productivity—trying every method in the books to push my limits, juggle multiple commitments, and still stay sane. Here are some lessons I’ve learned. I hope they help you level up.
1. Embrace Sacrifice—But Don’t Lose Yourself
To improve, you must leave your comfort zone and commit wholeheartedly to your goals. That often means sacrificing something else—be it leisure time or other pursuits. However, sacrifice without boundaries can easily lead to burnout. Early in my career, I focused on work and study almost every waking hour, convinced that slowing down would ruin my future progress. While intense dedication can yield results, it’s crucial to integrate rest and personal time—otherwise, you risk becoming dependent on constant “busy-ness.”
Key Takeaway: Dedicate yourself, but set clear boundaries. Your mental and physical health should remain a priority.
2. Use Routines as a Tool for Growth
There’s a subtle difference between habits and routines. Habits often form unconsciously, making you go through the motions without intention. Routines, on the other hand, are deliberate processes you create to support consistent improvement. During my university years, I structured my day using Active Recall and Pomodoro-style time blocks:
- 45 minutes of focused study, followed by 15 minutes of rest
- A power nap every few cycles to recharge
- A clear set of objectives for each study block
I’d often dedicate late-night hours to programming and tackling areas I felt least confident in. But before diving in, I always spent a few minutes mapping out what I wanted to achieve. This simple practice of daily planning remains essential in my professional life: at the end of each day, I outline what tasks need my attention the next day and prioritize them to keep focused.
Key Takeaway: Build routines that align with your goals and remember to schedule real breaks.
3. Be Around People Who Push You
You’ve probably heard it: You’re the average of the five people you hang out with the most. It’s cliché, but it holds truth. When you spend time with driven, curious, and creative people, you can’t help but absorb some of their energy. Don’t worry about being judged—true high achievers focus on growth, not tearing others down. And don’t be afraid of failing; that’s usually a sign you’re trying something new.
Key Takeaway: Seek communities that motivate you. Embrace mistakes—they’re part of the learning curve.
4. Enjoy the Ride
In my twenties, I jumped from one goal to the next without pausing to celebrate anything. That approach kept me energized in the short run but left me feeling empty over time. When you ignore the process, you miss out on the satisfaction of seeing your own growth.
Key Takeaway: High performance isn’t just about hitting targets—it’s about finding enjoyment in the process and recognizing your growth along the way.
5. Know Your Values
Sometimes you’ll have crystal-clear goals, like finishing a degree or landing a job. Other times, you’ll be stuck in tough decisions or lose motivation. That’s when personal values act like a compass, guiding you through the fog. If you know what matters most to you—integrity, creativity, impact, or anything else—you’ll have a much easier time charting your course.
Key Takeaway: Spend time figuring out what truly matters to you—whether it’s integrity, creativity, impact, collaboration, or anything else. Align your decisions and objectives with these values.
6. There’s More to Life Than Hustle
Over time, I discovered that constant hustling can become addictive. You might feel guilty doing anything “unproductive,” such as watching a show or hanging out with friends. But having interests and hobbies beyond work is vital. It creates mental space, fuels creativity, and helps you keep a healthier perspective.
Key Takeaway: Give yourself permission to explore non-work activities. You’ll come back recharged and brimming with fresh ideas.
7. Let Boredom Spark Ideas
It might sound counterintuitive, Boredom might feel uncomfortable, but it’s a powerful state. When you have unstructured time, your mind naturally seeks new stimuli, leading to unexpected insights and ideas.
Key Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to unplug and let your mind wander. That mental “white space” can spark creativity and innovative thinking.
8. Improvement Takes Time
We live in a fast-paced world where everything’s on demand, making it easy to expect instant results. But meaningful progress—like mastering a skill or shifting your mindset—usually happens gradually. You might not see huge changes overnight, but tiny, consistent steps add up.
Key Takeaway: Trust the process. Patience and consistency often beat short bursts of frantic effort.
9. Cultivate Curiosity and Be Proactive
High performers don’t wait around for opportunities—they go out and find them. Ask questions, propose new ideas, explore technologies or methods you don’t fully understand. When you’re genuinely curious, you’ll uncover better ways of doing things, and you’ll be the one taking initiative instead of waiting to be told.
Key Takeaway: Stay curious and speak up. Curiosity fuels innovation, and proactivity helps you stand out.
10. Reflect and Adjust
It’s hard to improve if you don’t pause to see what’s working and what isn’t. Whether you journal, talk with a mentor, or just spend quiet time thinking, regular reflection helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses—and figure out your next steps.
Key Takeaway: Schedule reflection. Refine what’s working, pivot from what’s not, and keep evolving.
Final Thoughts
Remember that real productivity isn’t just about being busy—it’s about moving forward with purpose, guided by your personal values, and making room for a life beyond work. Hard work and dedication matter, but so do rest, fun, and curiosity.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that balance is the secret sauce. Keep aiming high, but don’t forget to enjoy the climb—and bring your whole self along for the ride.
Thanks for reading!