10 High-ROI Activities to Accelerate Your Career and Live a Happier Life

Achieving career success and personal happiness often feels like a balancing act. However, by focusing on high-return-on-investment (ROI) activities, you can accelerate your progress and enhance your well-being.

Here are ten powerful practices to help you on this journey.

1. Writing

When I started talking with successful CEOs, coaches, and creators, I noticed a common thread: they all write. Writing offers several benefits:

Structure Your Thoughts: Writing helps you organize your ideas clearly.
Be More Productive: By documenting your plans and reflections, you can track your progress and stay focused.
Identify Problems: Putting your thoughts on paper can reveal underlying issues.
Find Solutions: Writing encourages creative problem-solving.
Get Clarity: It allows you to understand your thoughts and feelings better.

2. Time Boxing

A Harvard study showed that time boxing is one of the best productivity hacks. Here’s how I use it daily:

Brain Dump Tasks: I start by listing all the tasks I need to accomplish.
Set Top 3 Priorities: I identify the three most important tasks for the day.
Define a Schedule: I allocate specific time slots for each task.

This method ensures that I focus on high-priority tasks and make efficient use of my time.

3. Reading

Reading is not just about the number of books you go through but about the value you derive from them. Here’s why I read:

Discover New Concepts: Reading exposes me to fresh ideas and perspectives.
Source Inspiration: It fuels my creativity and motivation.
Entertain Myself: Books are a great source of relaxation and enjoyment.
Educate Myself: Reading is a continuous learning process that enhances my knowledge.

4. Chess

Many of my successful friends play chess regularly. This strategic game teaches you to:

Think Ahead: Anticipate future scenarios and plan accordingly.
Stay in Control: Chess trains you to be proactive and prepared for different outcomes.

Playing 1-2 games of chess daily hones these strategic thinking skills.

5. Connect

I make it a point to jump on calls, reply to most of my DMs, and stay curious about people. True connections are built on genuine interest and kindness. Here’s how to do it:

Don’t Just Network: Build relationships, not just contacts.
Be Curious: Show genuine interest in others.
Make Friends: Most people are kind and open to forming connections.

6. Asking

If you don’t hear “no” at least three times a day, you’re not asking enough. Here’s why asking is crucial:

Opportunities: You’d be surprised how many doors open just because you asked.
Meet High-Profile People: Many successful connections start with a simple question.

Asking questions and reaching out has connected me with numerous influential people.

7. Following Through

There’s a story of an NBA player who gave his phone number to high school students, offering them to call anytime. Hardly anyone did. This teaches an important lesson:

Commitment: Follow through on opportunities. Most people don’t, so doing so sets you apart.
Stand Out: Following through shows dedication and reliability.

If you can commit, do it. It differentiates you from the majority.

8. Failing

Training and experimenting often lead to failure, but that’s part of the process. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Focus on Success: Despite many failures, the few successes are incredibly rewarding.
Find What You Love: Trying various things increases the chances of discovering your passions.

Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.

9. Teaching

Teaching is an invaluable way to solidify your knowledge. My most valuable high school experience was teaching younger students at our robotics club. Now I teach marketing on Twitter. Here’s why it’s effective:

Deepen Understanding: If you can teach a concept, you truly understand it.
Give Back: Sharing knowledge benefits others and reinforces your learning.

Teaching others sharpens your skills and enhances your expertise.

10. Taking Breaks

No one can perform at their best 24/7. Here’s how I manage my downtime:

Sleep Routine: I go to bed at 11 PM and wake up at 7 AM.
Unplug: I have dedicated hours where I hide notifications and relax.

Taking breaks prevents burnout and boosts productivity.

Incorporating these high-ROI activities into your daily routine can significantly accelerate your career progress and enhance your overall happiness. Start small, stay consistent, and watch the positive changes unfold.

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