How reprogramming old beliefs boosts productivity 💡

Hey there! Have you seen the updated web version of Microsoft Excel yet!? I love this update—especially the ability to drag and drop rows or columns (a lifesaver). What are your thoughts on Excel’s new look? 

The Surprising Method for Calculating Percentages in Excel

Are you still calculating percentages like this? 👇

Sure, using the formula =D2/SUM(D2:D10) seems reliable, but this method is prone to error (can you spot what went wrong in that example above?). 

Luckily, there’s a shortcut. Use it at work and you’ll be sure to impress even your most experienced Excel colleagues! 

Here’s the low-down: 

Want more Excel shortcuts? I got you! Here are the six I use pretty much every day. 

How Reprogramming Old Beliefs Can Boost Productivity 

In January 2021, I quit my corporate job to go all in on Miss Excel. I expected a learning curve, but what caught me most by surprise wasn’t the emotional roller coaster or taxes. It was figuring out what entrepreneurs actually do all day. 🧐

What are their hours? How do they stay motivated? When do they execute tasks? 

I first defaulted to my old corporate ways. That meant a traditional 9–5 schedule, Monday through Friday, methodically working through my to-do list. 

I quickly realized this corporate formula wasn’t ideal. I had to create my own definition of “working efficiently.” I asked myself: “If I didn’t rely on the 9–5 and instead listened to my energy levels, how would my day unfold?” 

A lot differently. I started working at noon instead of 9 am. I dedicated Mondays to creative activities (e.g. brainstorming business ideas and content ideas) and Tuesdays to more hands-on tasks (e.g. editing content or hosting Excel classes).

The result? I went from working 40 hours per week to 20 and was more productive than before. 

None of this would’ve happened if I held onto my old beliefs about productivity. Chances are, you have them too (think: “Getting started anytime past 10 am is lazy” or “I need to cross as many things off my to-do list as fast as possible.”)  

But these beliefs aren’t tailored to you. They’re relics of an antiquated 40-hour workweek (which was introduced 86 years ago) and hustle culture. How you work best will vary depending on your genes, the type of work you do, and your personal circumstances. 

And that holds true whether you’re an entrepreneur, working a 9—5, or simply re-examining your old work habits. 

• This website is full of mental models to help you become a better thinker. 

• Meet your new AI Analyst: This tool turns any text into an Excel formula in seconds.

• SelfControl is a free Mac application that blocks distracting websites. If you’re on Windows, Cold Turkey is also a solid alternative. 

• This is the fastest way to calculate quarterly sales in Excel.

Thanks for being here! I had such a blast teaching the free live Excel class on Pivot Tables and Data Analysis last week. Over 50,000 of you showed up! 🤯

The team and I are already whipping up ideas for our next class. If you have any ideas or requests, reply and let us know!

Stay Exceling,

Kat