⏰ Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell | Habit Chess Newsletter


Hi Reader,

In this episode of the Habit Chess Podcast, I dig into the game-changing ideas from Dan Martell's book Buy Back Your Time.

This one’s all about gaining back your most precious resource: time.

Here are some key highlights:

🎂 The 10-80-10 Rule

This rule is a time-saver for leaders who want to stay involved without getting bogged down in every detail:

  1. 10%: You handle the initial ideation—setting the vision and objectives.
  2. 80%: Your team takes over the execution.
  3. 10%: You come back for final touches and integration.

The result? High-quality work that aligns with your vision, without burning all your time.

These two concepts can completely transform how you manage your schedule and focus on delegating work that drives real results.

Time Auditing & Tracking:

I share my own time-tracking approach, built on a Notion template I’ve been using daily for over three years, which has helped thousands track their time smarter.

I recently made some updates in automations and being able to visualize some of the data. Download your free copy here.

🔥 Energy is the Real Currency

Beyond time and money, energy is the often-overlooked piece of the puzzle.

Learn about Dan's 'DRIP Matrix'—a simple framework that categorizes tasks by their energy and value, helping you focus on high-impact, energizing work.

💸 Buyback Rate

The Buyback Rate is a simple calculation Dan shares to help you outsource effectively. Here’s how it works:

Calculate your effective hourly rate (total income ÷ 2000 hours) and divide it by four. This is your buyback rate—the maximum amount you should pay someone else to handle tasks you shouldn’t be doing yourself.

It’s a small shift with a big impact. By paying for help with low-value tasks, you reclaim time for work that matters most.

"$10 million companies aren't built on $10 tasks."

Listen here:

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Buy Back Your Time by Dan Ma...
Oct 31 · Habit Chess
36:58
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In your corner,
Misbah Haque

P.S. If you enjoy this episode, a quick rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify would mean a lot!

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I'm Misbah Haque by the way.

In 2016, I started podcasting from my childhood bedroom with no audience or credibility.

Within a year, I landed my dream internship, dream job in the Bay Area, and was producing a show that went on to do over 1 million downloads.

In 2020, I founded Pod Mahal to help others build a body of work through podcasting.

We offer consulting to help you own your means of production, as well as done-for-you plans where all you need to do is show up and record.

I also host my own podcast, Habit Chess, where I test and execute these strategies in real-time.

I send you my Habit Chess newsletter periodically when I have something useful to share. Usually it's about skill acquisition & learning how to learn.

Thanks for giving me a few scrolls today.

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Misbah Haque

I write about high agency thinking and skill acquisition.

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