The concept of compounding productivity has always fascinated me. Much like compounding interest, small, consistent improvements to your routine, toolset or productivity platform can lead to significant long-term gains, says Joshua Wöhle.
With AI augmenting our productivity, understanding and leveraging this principle is more crucial than ever.
Here are three pillars that I build on to ensure I compound my own productivity.
Build a personal productivity infrastructure
One of the key elements of compounding productivity is setting up a robust infrastructure around yourself. Think about it like compounding interest – small, regular investments in your productivity systems can yield exponential returns over time. For me, it’s been about creating a suite of tools that enhance my efficiency. Even with the same skills, these systems allow me to achieve far more than I could without them.
Take, for example, my automated scheduling and follow-up systems. They ensure that my meetings are set up efficiently, and no follow-up tasks fall through the cracks. This setup allows me to focus on high-impact activities rather than getting bogged down in administrative tasks. It’s a system that continually evolves, integrating new tools and strategies to further enhance productivity.
Leverage AI for automation and efficiency
As a father and a founder, my time – and resources – are limited. AI has become a game-changer in personal productivity, taking automation and efficiency to new heights. I recently spent a day building an automated sales bot designed to handle everything from initial outreach to scheduling meetings. This AI system doesn’t just save time; it ensures no opportunity is missed, managing follow-ups and contextual interactions autonomously.
During a conversation with a fellow founder, we discussed expanding our sales team. Rather than hiring more salespeople, we focused on a future centred around building automated systems that achieve more with fewer resources. This strategic decision underscores a critical point: building systems that operate autonomously is far more valuable in the long term than relying solely on human effort. These systems ensure continuity and scalability, even when key personnel change.
Create a more productive network
The third pillar in compounding productivity in the AI era is the shift in how I now perceive work roles and skills. Traditionally, employees were valued for their specific skills and knowledge. Today, the emphasis should be on what individuals can build and leave behind – the systems, processes, and platforms that enhance productivity and can be passed on or scaled.
For instance, a salesperson equipped with AI-powered tools for outreach and engagement becomes exponentially more effective than one relying solely on traditional methods. This transformation mirrors the growing importance of personal platforms and distribution channels. Professionals who cultivate their productivity ecosystems and networks become far more valuable assets to their organisations.
Continuously refining these tools and routines is crucial. Small tweaks, such as optimising meeting schedules to accommodate different time zones or automating repetitive tasks, can yield significant long-term benefits. These changes, though small in isolation, compound over time to create a powerful productivity engine.
The practical application of compounding productivity
Practical routines are the bedrock of compounding productivity. One such routine is planning the day the evening before rather than the morning of, ensuring a focused and productive start. Similarly, planning the week on Sunday provides a strategic overview, allowing for better alignment of tasks and goals.
AI processes, such as those enabled by tools like GPTs and automated outreach systems, represent the cutting edge of productivity enhancement. By integrating these technologies into daily workflows, myself and my team are able to achieve remarkable efficiencies. For example, a well-configured AI can handle initial customer interactions, data gathering, and even basic troubleshooting, freeing up human workers to focus on more complex and creative tasks.
Now is the perfect time to compound your personal productivity, especially with the transformative power of AI and automation. However, it is essential not just to adopt AI but to continuously adapt and enhance your own productivity systems. Personally, I’ve set a recurring two hours per week aside just to improve my own platform. HR leaders and organisational decision-makers must focus on practical, real-world applications of AI that can deliver immediate and significant impacts.
With this, we can build a future where small, consistent improvements lead to exponential growth in efficiency and output. The key is to start today – make those small, impactful changes to your productivity infrastructure and watch as the benefits multiply over time. This proactive approach will ensure that we are not just keeping up with the pace of change but leading the charge into a more productive and innovative future.
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By Joshua Wöhle, CEO & Co-Founder of Mindstone.
Joshua is the Co-Founder and CEO of Mindstone, an AI training platform helping non-technical professionals build practical AI skills. Mindstone works with some of the world’s largest organisations, including Hyatt, Pearson and Lufthansa, to make AI accessible, useful and impactful across entire workforces. Previously, Joshua co-founded SuperAwesome, which became the world’s largest kids’ online safety technology platform and was acquired by Epic Games for a nine-figure sum.
With a BSc in Computer Science from King’s College London and an MBA from the Open University, Joshua brings deep technical foundations together with commercial and leadership experience. An EdTech enthusiast, advisor and investor, he is known for finding simple, innovative solutions to complex problems and for building teams capable of scaling ambitious ideas.
