Productivity is the opposite of procrastination.
Productivity is being effective.
Productivity is completing your to-do list.
Productivity is delegating tasks that drain you.
Few of us feel really productive every single day. It’s challenging to be in a constant state of get’ er done. With so many distractions, and so much to do, it can be really hard to keep up. Having a solid plan in effect that you stick to can really help. In times of clarity you know exactly what needs to be done. Organization is key here. Sticking to your agenda and adhering to your schedule is crucial.
You might be thinking…
This doesn’t sound fun. This isn’t what it means to be an entrepreneur. I’m supposed to be freed from the confines of a schedule.
Fear not, because doing what you say your gonna do actually creates MORE time. Fiddling around with everything that comes up in the moment- wastes time and sucks the ambition right out from under you.
So how exactly can you make a plan to be the most productive YOU possible? Even elevate your productivity as much as 300% ?!
I’m going to tell you exactly how to do it. So you can create more time, more space and more freedom!
The 4 Pillars of Productivity
Be an Early Bird
I don’t just mean rolling out of bed like its some cursed affair and dragging your behind for the first 2 hours of the day. Nope. The key is waking up positive. This sets the pace for the entire day to come. Its really helpful if first thing in the morning you indulge in some kind of self care ritual. This could be going for a run, doing yoga, dancing, a cold shower and a few minutes reading a book that inspires you. Whatever it is, make sure its something that you see in a positive light. The profound effects of this practice in amplifying your drive throughout the day are really something.
Another key to waking up happy is….guess….Going to bed happy! Maybe happy isn’t the right word here. Going to bed with thoughts of all the things you’re grateful for is a powerful practice. Those last few moments before drifting to sleep, just bring to mind all the lovely things in your life. You might also want to consider being grateful for life’s challenges. After all, they are what help us to grow.
Make a Plan and Stick with It
There’s nothing worse than making plans that you don’t complete. Its like punching your ego right in the gut. Our minds crave completion. This is why multi tasking is a bunch of hogwash. Its much more effective to complete the tasks you’ve set out to do, one by one. When you write your agenda for the week (a necessary step in organization fundamentals) don’t go overboard. Be realistic about what you can accomplish on any given day. Prioritize and always start with the biggest most daunting tasks. Once you’ve got those out of the way, the rest of the day will seem like a cake walk.
Sticking to plans is important for a fulfilling social life just as well as business. Nobody likes a flake. Sure you’re busy but so is everyone else. If you make plans with friends or family, stick to them. Don’t make excuses and bail or nobody, including yourself, will ever believe your committed to preserving and growing relationships. It’s easy to get caught up in work and not want to stop. Force yourself. Take breaks. Have fun. Believe it or not this is important in growing a stable healthy business.
See the Bigger Picture
Don’t get distracted by the little things. There will be lots of them. Expand your view to look beyond the horizon. Keep your long term goals in mind at all times. Know what needs to get done so that you can meet those goals and make those tasks your priority always. If you fail at something small, don’t allow it to hinder you from continuing. Mistakes are how we learn.
Set aside a time of day where you can simply sit and visualize the bigger picture. Mentally look over your vision for the future and keep in mind success doesn’t happen over night. But it will happen. The more you see the potential, the more you can nourish and grow the little seed or plant that represents your golden opportunity.
Focus
“Where focus goes, energy flows. What you focus on and your pattern for doing so shapes your entire life. “-Tony Robbins
Focus is the core of productivity. Without it we are simply flailing in a rapid river, grabbing on to whatever comes our way. When you know what you want you can figure out how to get it. Its common that we get trapped in focusing on the past. ‘Oh I’ve failed in the past so its not use to try again’. This attitude keeps you stuck. You must carefully choose to focus on the present mostly, while looking at your ideal version of the future for inspiration.
Focus will change over time. It doesn’t remain the same. Let your focus dwell on the area in your life that you most want to change. Whether it’s creating better health, or creating more wealth, make a plan and do what needs to be done.
Self help guru Tony Robbins explains it perfectly when he asks people “Do you focus more on what you can’t control or what you can?”
This is brilliant because there are certain things that are simply out of our hands. Focusing on them is a waste of precious energy. Focus only on the things you have power over. This is also a powerful practice when it comes to reducing stress. So much stress arises when we get worked up over things we can’t control.
In what ways do you increase your productivity? Let us know in the comments below!
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PS. If you’re serious about learning strategies to reduce your stress and increase productivity, I’m participating in the de-stressing leadership summit- a one day live corporate training event held in Calgary, AB with other industry experts. Check it out HERE.