How I Hacked My Productivity to Build an MVP in Half the Estimated Time

The Challenge of MailSpace MVP

Building MailSpace was supposed to take 6 months, primarily due to its technical challenges. However, I found that timeline unacceptable, especially for an MVP that needs to get to market quickly.

The 3-Month Deadline

I set a daunting goal: complete MailSpace's MVP in 3 months. But that was just the beginning; the real challenge was maintaining the motivation to work 16 hours a day, remotely and without anyone around.

The Psychology of Being Watched

I remembered a psychology course mentioning that people tend to perform better when observed. But how to simulate that environment when working remotely?

The Extreme Productivity Hack

Here's where my productivity hack came into play. I decided to record myself during the entire process of building the MVP. But it wasn't just regular recording. The program was designed to automatically release all 2000 hours of footage on YouTube if I failed to complete the project within the 3-month timeframe.

The Mechanism of the Program

I deployed this program on a blockchain network and then deleted my private keys. This made it impossible for me to manipulate the program once deployed. The smart contract had a built-in timer; if I stopped the recording for more than 24 hours, the videos would automatically publish on YouTube. Additionally, the smart contract would check my LinkedIn page after 3 months; if "MailSpace CEO" wasn't listed, it would trigger the release of the videos.

A High-Stakes Gamble

It was do or die. I could either finish the project on time and keep the videos private, or fail and broadcast my failure to the world.

The Outcome

The looming threat of public embarrassment proved to be the fire I needed to fuel my work. Sure, discipline was always at the core of any successful project, and I had it in abundance. However, this productivity hack added a unique layer of urgency that drove me to consistently deliver high-quality work.

Despite the insane hours and constant pressure, I found that my focus was sharper than ever. I was making fewer errors, optimizing my workflow, and essentially performing at my peak. It's one thing to work hard; it's another to work smart under pressure. In the end, not only did I complete MailSpace's MVP within the tight 3-month timeframe, but I also exceeded my own quality expectations.

Conclusion

Discipline is undeniably crucial in any endeavor, but sometimes it's just not enough. When traditional methods fail to get the results you need, it's time to think outside the box. My extreme productivity hack proves that when your back is against the wall, and failure is not an option, you can tap into previously untouched reserves of focus and energy.