About these notes

# Evergreen notes
See [Evergreen notes](https://notes.andymatuschak.org/Evergreen_notes) in Andy’s notes for a deep explanation of evergreen notes, how they differ and why you want to take them. The quick pitch is:

*  [Evergreen notes should be atomic](https://notes.andymatuschak.org/Evergreen_notes_should_be_atomic) 
*  [Evergreen notes should be concept-oriented](https://notes.andymatuschak.org/Evergreen_notes_should_be_concept-oriented) 
*  [Evergreen notes should be densely linked](https://notes.andymatuschak.org/Evergreen_notes_should_be_densely_linked)

I have found writing these notes a satisfying process that helps me think much more clearly, particularly when following Andy’s example and doing it every day during [[My morning routine]]. ([[Thinking practice]])




Invest in force multipliers

My morning routine

Write to think

# Have a great morning routine

A good morning routine is a force multiplier for every day of my life. ([[Invest in force multipliers]]) Principally, I want [[My morning routine]] to include:

* Fitness, both mental and physical.
* Something that helps me stay creative and innovative.
* Coffee practice.
* At least one healthy calorie-rich meal.

Prompted by [Andy Matuschak](https://notes.andymatuschak.org/My_daily_routine) I have also noticed that it is important for me not to look at my phone before the morning routine is done. Days where I look at my phone first thing in the morning are much less productive.




Iterate as fast as possible

Work in public

Thinking practice

Have a great morning routine

Invest in the best tools

My mental models

# Invest in force multipliers


Force multipliers are anything that increase your effectiveness by (ideally many) multiples. Adding new or improving your force multipliers is a great way to move faster towards your goal.

These are some force multipliers I am thinking about at the moment:

* [[Get more parts on the table]]
	* [[Build a diverse network]] and [[Talk to people]]
	* [[Work in public]]
	* [[Seek discomfort]]
* [[Have an aptitude for serendipity]]
* [[Iterate as fast as possible]]
* [[Invest in the best tools]]
* [[Have a great morning routine]]
* [[Thinking practice]]




Stay motivated with recurring small dopamine hits

Design a process

# Measure output, not outcomes
I have always measured myself based on out_comes_ (e.g. being featured in Forbes), not my out_put_. As [@chantastic points out](https://chan.dev/blog/outputs-and-outcomes/), I am probably hurting myself by doing that: I have zero influence over eventual outcomes, but I can control my output.

I should celebrate myself whenever I am as productive and creative as I want to be, not when some random outcome occurs. That would help me [[Stay motivated with recurring small dopamine hits]] as long as I [[Iterate as fast as possible]] and [[Always be shipping]].

For example, at the moment I want to improve my endurance, so I added a 5km run to [[My morning routine]]. I do not measure myself based on outcomes (e.g. I can run 5km in 30 mins), I measure myself based on whether I run every single day. Whatever endurance improvements come from that are incidental.

Of course, I do eventually want to get somewhere, so I have direct my outputs to where they _could_ help me achieve the outcomes I want. I don’t know how I can ensure that is the case, however so far it’s worked out fine.




Measure output, not outcomes

Evergreen notes

2020-03-24

# My morning routine

For me to [[Have a great morning routine]] is a force multiplier. ([[Invest in force multipliers]]) It sets every single one of my days off on a good foot, which makes it more likely for everything to work out.

As of Mar. 2020, I am trying a new morning routine heavily inspired by [Andy Matuschak’s](https://notes.andymatuschak.org/My_daily_routine), slightly adapted for my specific goals:

* Get up early (7am)
* Eat small breakfast (usually a banana) and drink lots of water
* Go for a run
* Shower
* Meditate
* Coffee + breakfast
* [[Thinking practice]]




 Make it easy to jump in

# Thinking practice

Inspired by [Andy Matuschak](https://notes.andymatuschak.org/My_daily_routine?stackedNotes=My_morning_writing_practice), I started dedicating an hour every morning during [[My morning routine]] to thinking. Specifically, I [[Write to think]], which means I sit down in from of my computer and write anything I want to think through—which usually leads down many interesting rabbit holes.

This has been transformative to help me clear up my thoughts. Having a dedicated time for thinking is a big force multiplier for my creativity. ([[Invest in force multipliers]])




# Write to think

Thinking clearly is difficult but important. Writing about what I am thinking through helps me stay focused and sort out my ideas. It is also immediately apparent if I write about anything I do not fully understand, which helps me check myself.

As part of [[Have a great morning routine]], I copied Andy Matuschak’s [[Thinking practice]] into [[My morning routine]], and I love it. Making writing to think a core part of my day is very satisfying.




@mxstbr's working notes

My morning routine

Links to this note

What do you think?