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Grip

Grip

Het geheim van slim werken
by Rick Pastoor 2019 256 pages
4.08
2k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Your calendar is your rock: Use it to set priorities and structure your workweek

"Your calendar only has so much room, and that can feel limiting. Just think: if there were more hours in a day you could park your whole to-do list in your calendar. But a calendar's limits are actually its most brilliant feature."

Schedule everything. Your calendar is the foundation of productivity. Use it not just for meetings, but for all your important tasks and activities. This visual representation of your time helps you prioritize and avoid overcommitting.

Protect your focus. Block out time for deep work, and be mindful of how you schedule meetings. Group similar activities together to maintain flow and reduce context switching. For example, cluster meetings on certain days or times, leaving uninterrupted blocks for focused work.

Be realistic and flexible. When scheduling tasks, estimate time generously and include buffer periods. Remember to account for:

  • Travel time
  • Preparation
  • Follow-up actions
  • Breaks and unexpected interruptions

2. Free your mind with a smart to-do list: Stop storing things in your head

"Your brain is a thinking machine, not a storage device."

Choose a digital system. Select a to-do list app that syncs across devices and is easy to use. Popular options include Things, Todoist, or Microsoft To Do. The key is to find one that suits your workflow and stick with it.

Capture everything. Whenever a task or idea comes to mind, immediately add it to your system. This frees up mental space and ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Organize your tasks into:

  • Inbox: For quick capture
  • Projects: Group related tasks
  • Someday/Maybe: For future possibilities

Make tasks actionable. When adding items to your list, phrase them as specific actions. Instead of "Website project," write "Draft homepage content" or "Call designer about logo options." This clarity makes it easier to start and complete tasks when you have time.

3. Take charge of your inbox: Schedule email time and process messages efficiently

"Email's like an itch: scratching only makes it worse. The more messages you send, the more you receive (usually faster than you can respond)."

Set email boundaries. Schedule 2-3 specific times each day to process email, rather than constantly checking throughout the day. This allows for focused work and reduces stress from constant interruptions.

Use the 4D method. When processing emails, quickly decide to:

  1. Delete: If it's irrelevant or no longer needed
  2. Do: If it takes less than 2 minutes
  3. Delegate: If someone else can handle it
  4. Defer: Add to your to-do list or calendar for later action

Communicate proactively. When sending emails, be clear and concise. Provide all necessary information upfront to reduce back-and-forth exchanges. Use specific subject lines and consider including action items in the first sentence.

4. Create a safety net with a weekly recap: Look back and plan ahead every Friday

"A weekly review—or as I call it, my Friday recap—is about creating a safety net under your workweek. No matter how chaotic your days get, with cascading meetings and fires to put out, a Friday recap gets you back on track."

Review the past week. Set aside 30-60 minutes each Friday to reflect on your accomplishments, challenges, and loose ends. Go through your calendar, to-do list, and notes to ensure nothing was overlooked.

Plan the week ahead. Use this time to:

  • Schedule important tasks and meetings
  • Review and update your goals
  • Prepare for upcoming projects or deadlines
  • Clear your inbox and organize your workspace

Continuous improvement. Ask yourself reflective questions like:

  • What went well this week?
  • What could I have done better?
  • Am I making progress on my most important goals?
  • What's one thing I can do next week to improve?

5. Discover what drives you: Align your passion, skills, and mission

"Your passion centers on the question What can the world offer me? the craftsman mindset centers on What can I offer the world?"

Identify your passion. Reflect on activities that energize you, topics you can't get enough of, and what you'd do if time and money were no object. This reveals what truly excites and motivates you.

Assess your skills. Consider both your natural talents and developed abilities. What are you consistently good at? What do others compliment you on? These are clues to your unique strengths and potential contributions.

Define your mission. Think about the impact you want to have in the world. What problems do you want to solve? What legacy do you want to leave? Your mission connects your passion and skills to a larger purpose.

Find the intersection. Look for opportunities and roles where your passion, skills, and mission align. This sweet spot is where you're likely to find the most fulfillment and make the greatest impact.

6. Set achievable goals and make yearly plans: Think big, start small

"Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Set SMART goals. Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This clarity increases your chances of success and allows you to track progress.

Create a yearly plan. Set aside a day to review the past year and plan for the next. Consider:

  • Highlights and lowlights
  • Progress on previous goals
  • Areas for improvement
  • New opportunities and challenges

Break it down. Divide your yearly goals into quarterly milestones. For each quarter, identify 2-3 specific objectives and the key actions needed to achieve them.

Review and adjust. Schedule regular check-ins (monthly or quarterly) to assess your progress and make necessary adjustments. Be flexible and willing to adapt your goals as circumstances change.

7. Boost accountability with a partner in crime: Share your progress weekly

"Having a good accountability partner—or what I like to call a partner in crime—makes that kind of evasion hard. A partner reminds you of your resolutions, offers new insight, encourages you in what you're good at, and points out where you have room to grow."

Find the right partner. Choose someone you trust, who is supportive but willing to challenge you. This could be a colleague, friend, or mentor who shares similar goals or values.

Set a regular schedule. Meet weekly, either in person or virtually, to discuss your progress, challenges, and plans. Consistency is key to maintaining momentum and accountability.

Structure your sessions. Use a standard set of questions to guide your conversations, such as:

  1. What progress did you make on your goals this week?
  2. What challenges did you face?
  3. What are your top priorities for the coming week?
  4. How can I support you?

Follow through. Take action on the commitments you make during these sessions. The knowledge that you'll be reporting back to your partner can be a powerful motivator.

8. Improve yourself continuously: Change behavior and self-image incrementally

"Changing your behavior in small steps is an incredibly effective way to hone your skills."

Identify areas for growth. Regularly assess your strengths and weaknesses. Seek feedback from others and be honest with yourself about where you can improve.

Set micro-habits. Break down desired behaviors into tiny, manageable actions. For example, if you want to become a better writer, start with writing just one sentence per day.

Use triggers. Attach new habits to existing routines. For instance, if you want to practice gratitude, do it right after brushing your teeth each morning.

Track your progress. Use a habit tracker or journal to monitor your consistency. Celebrate small wins and learn from setbacks.

Be patient. Remember that lasting change takes time. Focus on consistent small actions rather than dramatic overnight transformations.

9. Listen more, talk less: Seek advice and learn from others

"We don't talk a lot about listening, and that's strange. Because no matter how much you know, there's always infinitely more you don't know. And listening can help fill that gap."

Seek diverse perspectives. Actively look for opportunities to learn from people with different experiences and expertise. This broadens your understanding and challenges your assumptions.

Ask better questions. Prepare thoughtful, open-ended questions before important conversations. Focus on understanding the other person's perspective rather than proving your own point.

Practice active listening. Give your full attention to the speaker. Avoid interrupting or planning your response while they're talking. Instead:

  • Make eye contact
  • Use non-verbal cues to show engagement
  • Summarize and reflect back what you've heard
  • Ask follow-up questions for clarity

Apply what you learn. Take action on the advice and insights you gain. This shows respect for the person who shared with you and accelerates your own growth.

10. Solve problems strategically: Get to the heart of issues and overcome bias

"Want to come up with better solutions? Then spend more time grappling with the problem. The better you understand what's wrong, the better your solution will be."

Define the problem clearly. Take time to articulate the issue precisely. Use techniques like the "5 Whys" to dig deeper and identify root causes.

Research existing solutions. Look at how others have tackled similar problems. Study both successes and failures to gain insights and avoid reinventing the wheel.

Generate multiple options. Brainstorm a variety of potential solutions without immediately judging their feasibility. Quantity often leads to quality in ideation.

Evaluate objectively. Use criteria like effectiveness, cost, and feasibility to assess your options. Be aware of cognitive biases that might skew your judgment, such as:

  • Confirmation bias: Favoring information that confirms existing beliefs
  • Sunk cost fallacy: Continuing a course of action because of past investment
  • Availability heuristic: Overestimating the likelihood of events you can easily recall

Test and iterate. When possible, start with small-scale experiments to validate your chosen solution. Be prepared to adjust based on feedback and results.

11. Think big and start small: Break ambitious goals into manageable steps

"Personal triumphs are the sum of a long chain of tiny acts."

Dream audaciously. Allow yourself to envision big, inspiring goals without immediately worrying about how to achieve them. This opens your mind to new possibilities and motivates action.

Break it down. Once you have a big goal, divide it into smaller milestones and actionable steps. This makes the goal less overwhelming and provides a clear path forward.

Focus on the next action. Always identify the very next concrete step you can take, no matter how small. This maintains momentum and prevents analysis paralysis.

Embrace incremental progress. Celebrate small wins along the way. Recognize that consistent small actions compound over time to create significant change.

Stay flexible. Be willing to adjust your approach as you learn and circumstances change. The path to big goals is rarely linear, so adapt while keeping the end vision in mind.

Last updated:

FAQ

What's "Grip: The Art of Working Smart" about?

  • Overview: "Grip: The Art of Working Smart" by Rick Pastoor is a guide to improving productivity and efficiency in both professional and personal life.
  • Focus: The book emphasizes practical strategies for managing time, setting priorities, and achieving goals.
  • Structure: It is divided into three parts, focusing on weekly, yearly, and life-long strategies to gain control over one's work and life.
  • Purpose: The aim is to help readers make smarter decisions about their time and get more done with less stress.

Why should I read "Grip: The Art of Working Smart"?

  • Practical Advice: The book offers actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately to improve productivity.
  • Comprehensive Approach: It covers a wide range of topics from daily scheduling to long-term goal setting, making it a holistic guide.
  • Real-Life Examples: Rick Pastoor shares personal experiences and insights from his career, making the advice relatable and credible.
  • Flexibility: The methods are designed to be adaptable, allowing readers to tailor them to their specific needs and circumstances.

What are the key takeaways of "Grip: The Art of Working Smart"?

  • Calendar as a Tool: Use your calendar as the foundation for planning and prioritizing tasks.
  • Backup Brain: Create a smart to-do list to free up mental space and reduce stress.
  • Email Management: Schedule specific times for email to prevent it from taking over your day.
  • Goal Setting: Set clear, measurable goals that align with your passions, skills, and mission.

How does Rick Pastoor suggest managing your calendar in "Grip"?

  • Calendar as a Rock: Treat your calendar as the cornerstone of your weekly planning.
  • Schedule Everything: Include not just meetings but also time for personal tasks and priorities.
  • Finite Resource: Recognize the limited nature of time and use your calendar to prevent overcommitting.
  • Public Visibility: Share your calendar with colleagues to improve transparency and collaboration.

What is the "Backup Brain" concept in "Grip"?

  • External Memory: The backup brain is a digital to-do list that stores all tasks and reminders.
  • Clear Head: By offloading tasks from your mind, you free up mental space for more important thinking.
  • Regular Check-ins: Consistently update and review your to-do list to keep it effective.
  • Simple System: Start with a single list and gradually organize tasks into projects and categories.

How does "Grip" recommend handling emails?

  • Scheduled Blocks: Allocate specific times in your day for checking and responding to emails.
  • Batch Processing: Handle emails in batches to improve focus and efficiency.
  • Decision Flowchart: Use a flowchart to quickly decide on actions for each email—archive, respond, or add to your to-do list.
  • Avoid Inbox Zero: Focus on managing emails effectively rather than striving for an empty inbox.

What is the Friday Recap in "Grip"?

  • Weekly Review: The Friday Recap is a weekly session to review the past week and plan the next.
  • Two Parts: It involves looking back at what was accomplished and setting priorities for the upcoming week.
  • Peace of Mind: This routine helps ensure nothing slips through the cracks and provides clarity.
  • Flexible Timing: While Rick Pastoor prefers Friday afternoons, the recap can be done at any time that suits you.

How does "Grip" suggest setting and achieving goals?

  • Excitement and Clarity: Goals should be exciting and have clear, measurable outcomes.
  • Quarterly Focus: Set goals for three-month periods to maintain focus and adaptability.
  • First Steps: Break down goals into small, actionable steps to make progress manageable.
  • Regular Evaluation: Use the Friday Recap to track progress and adjust goals as needed.

What role does a "Partner in Crime" play in "Grip"?

  • Accountability Partner: A partner in crime is someone who helps you stay accountable to your goals.
  • Regular Sessions: Meet regularly to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps.
  • Mutual Benefit: Both partners benefit from shared insights and encouragement.
  • Structured Questions: Use a set of questions to guide discussions and ensure productive sessions.

What are some of the best quotes from "Grip: The Art of Working Smart" and what do they mean?

  • "Your calendar is your rock." This emphasizes the importance of using your calendar as the foundation for organizing your time and tasks.
  • "Stop storing things in your head." This highlights the need to offload tasks and reminders to a digital system to reduce mental clutter.
  • "The key is not to work even harder, but to do things smarter." This encapsulates the book's philosophy of improving efficiency through strategic planning rather than sheer effort.
  • "A goal is a milestone." This suggests viewing goals as steps along a journey rather than final destinations, encouraging continuous progress.

How does "Grip" address work-life balance?

  • Intentional Time Use: The book encourages being deliberate about how you spend your time to ensure you get to what matters most.
  • Energy Management: It discusses balancing internal and external expectations with your energy levels to avoid burnout.
  • Personal Development: Emphasizes ongoing self-improvement without overextending yourself.
  • Long-Term Perspective: Encourages thinking about long-term goals and ambitions to provide context and motivation for daily tasks.

What is the significance of the "Year Plan Day" in "Grip"?

  • Annual Review: The Year Plan Day is a dedicated time to reflect on the past year and plan for the next.
  • Comprehensive Evaluation: It involves reviewing highlights, lowlights, and goals to gain insights and set new objectives.
  • Quarterly Goals: Focuses on setting goals for the next three months to maintain momentum and adaptability.
  • Brainstorming Session: Encourages creative thinking and exploration of new possibilities for personal and professional growth.

Review Summary

4.08 out of 5
Average of 2k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Grip by Rick Pastoor receives mostly positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5. Readers appreciate its practical approach to productivity and time management. Many find the book's tips on organizing schedules, setting goals, and improving work habits helpful. The first section on weekly planning is particularly praised. Some readers note that while not all content is new, it's well-organized and easily applicable. A few critics mention that the book may be less useful for those already familiar with productivity techniques. Overall, most readers find value in Pastoor's straightforward advice for gaining control over work and life.

Your rating:

About the Author

Rick Pastoor is a Dutch author and entrepreneur known for his work on productivity and personal development. He gained recognition for his book "Grip," which offers practical advice on time management and goal setting. Pastoor's approach combines insights from various productivity experts with his own experiences. He has a background in technology and startups, having worked with companies like Uber and WeTransfer. Pastoor's writing style is praised for being clear and accessible, making complex productivity concepts easy to understand and implement. He frequently speaks on topics related to personal effectiveness and has built a following through his book, workshops, and online presence.

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