I get more done in a day than most people will in a month. This isn’t a boast—it’s a result of a simple philosophy I’ve adopted: do it now. In a world where productivity hacks and time management systems have become increasingly complex, I’ve found that immediate action trumps elaborate planning almost every time.
When someone asks, “Can we schedule a call?” my immediate response is, “Here’s my cell, call me now.” Why create a chain of unnecessary steps when the matter could be resolved in minutes? The moment you delay something that could be done immediately, you’ve already lost efficiency.
This approach might seem aggressive to some, but consider the alternative: coordinating with an assistant, finding a mutually agreeable time, adding it to calendars, sending reminders, and then finally having the call days later. All that administrative overhead for what might be a one-minute conversation!
The “Do It Now” System
My productivity system isn’t complicated. It consists of two simple rules:
- If it can be done now, do it immediately
- If it can’t be done now, file it for focused attention later
When someone reaches out to me, I’m already on the clock. I can typically handle requests in a minute or less. This immediate response not only clears my plate quickly but also creates momentum that carries throughout my day.
The power of this approach is that it eliminates the mental load of carrying around unfinished tasks. Every delayed decision is mental weight you’re unnecessarily carrying. By addressing things immediately, I keep my mind clear and focused on what truly matters.
Breaking the Scheduling Trap
One of my biggest productivity pet peeves is unnecessary scheduling. When someone says, “Let’s have my assistant contact your assistant to find a time next week,” I see wasted opportunity. That meeting could happen now, and we could both move forward with the insights gained.
I’ve found that most people use scheduling as a buffer—a way to delay decisions or actions they’re uncertain about. By eliminating this buffer, I force myself to make decisions and take action in real-time.
This approach has three major benefits:
- It eliminates the administrative overhead of scheduling
- It prevents issues from lingering and potentially growing larger
- It creates a reputation for responsiveness that opens more opportunities
When I can’t handle something immediately, I don’t let it float in my inbox or sit on a to-do list. I place it in a dedicated folder that I review at the end of each day. This ensures nothing falls through the cracks while maintaining my commitment to immediate action whenever possible.
The End-of-Day Review
The final piece of my productivity system is the end-of-day review. I take the last 30 minutes of my workday to process anything that couldn’t be handled immediately. This focused time allows me to clear any remaining items before closing shop.
During this review, I prioritize ruthlessly. Not everything deserves my attention, and recognizing this fact has been crucial to my productivity. Saying no to low-value tasks creates space for high-impact work.
By maintaining this discipline daily, I ensure that tasks don’t accumulate. There’s no backlog of emails, no mounting pile of decisions to make. Each day starts fresh because I’ve closed the loop on everything possible the day before.
The Mindset Shift
Adopting a “do it now” approach requires a fundamental mindset shift. Most people operate from a place of delay and deliberation. They believe taking time to think about something will lead to better outcomes.
In my experience, the opposite is often true. Quick, decisive action leads to progress, while deliberation often leads to procrastination disguised as thoughtfulness.
This doesn’t mean being reckless. It means recognizing which decisions require deep thought and which can be made immediately. Most daily decisions fall into the latter category.
By embracing immediate action, I’ve transformed my productivity and created space for the strategic thinking that truly matters. If you want to get more done in less time, stop scheduling and start doing—now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Doesn’t the “do it now” approach lead to rushed decisions?
Not necessarily. I distinguish between decisions that need careful consideration and those that can be made quickly. Most daily tasks don’t require extensive deliberation. For complex matters that truly need time, I allocate focused thinking time rather than letting them linger indefinitely.
Q: How do you handle tasks that genuinely can’t be completed immediately?
I place these items in a dedicated folder and review them during my end-of-day session. This ensures nothing falls through the cracks while maintaining my commitment to immediate action when possible. The key is having a reliable system for these exceptions.
Q: What about people who get annoyed by your “call me now” approach?
Some people are initially surprised, but most appreciate the efficiency. I’ve found that respecting others’ time by handling matters quickly actually builds stronger professional relationships. If someone prefers a scheduled approach, I can accommodate that, but I always offer the immediate option first.
Q: How do you maintain focus with constant interruptions from calls?
I balance accessibility with focused work time. There are periods when I’m fully available for immediate calls and others when I’m in deep work mode. The key is being intentional about when you’re in which mode, rather than constantly switching between them.
Q: Can this approach work for everyone, regardless of job type?
While the specific implementation might vary, the core principle of handling tasks immediately when possible is universally applicable. Everyone can benefit from reducing administrative overhead and unnecessary delays. Adapt the system to fit your role and responsibilities.
