You may believe that only really smart or super motivated people get things done. You might even think that being "productive" is really just a business term that was created by employers to measure how much stuff their employees were doing. But being productive is more than that. Being productive is the difference between sitting on the sidelines watching life pass you by and actually getting in on the action and making life happen! If you don't do anything you can't achieve anything. Can you? It's not possible is it? But getting everything done all the time isn't some myth that only parents, teachers and bosses believe exist - anyone can make it happen - even you. So without further ado, below are the 7 laws of productivity that serial executors consistently engage in.
1. Break the cycle of inactivity. The biggest reason that projects are never brought to completion is because - we aren't getting off our behinds! Imagine that! If you are in a pattern of inactivity, passivity and/or procrastination, deadlines will pass by, opportunities begin knocking somewhere else, and we're still in the same spot we were when we began wondering if we should get on that project or not. Whether you're getting bogged down in the preparation process, spending more time talking and dreaming rather than doing, or just plain old being a lazy bum, you must begin challenging yourself to be an active participant in your life. The very moment you act, you start to finish. Don't talk, dream, or chill - DO!
2. Think small. What happens when you look at a big task? Well, you think "Oh dear, this is quite the pickle isn't it, I feel quite demotivated by this, and perhaps I will just avoid it and hope it goes away". Problem is - that's not how life works. So to avoid this kind of study paralysis it's important to break the task down into a small, immediately executable task. For example, when you have to write a 1000 word paper, you start by writing just one word - don't you? So write 100 words and take a break. But always think small - in fact think tiny! The smaller the task the better. Why? Because small tasks are easy - and lots of easy tasks all add together to equal one big task. So get thinking - small.
3. Fail, fail and then fail some more. The best way to get things done right? Why fail of course! There is no need to worry about having everything perfect all the time. Guess what, life isn't perfect. Trial and error is important. It helps us learn. Often when we try something for the first time we're not good at it. Big deal! It's persistence that matters, not avoiding failing. Rather than being discouraged by your "failures", learn from them. Then try again. And then try again. Sooner or later, you'll start kicking butt.
4. Create simple objectives for tasks, and revisit them regularly. If you don't know what you're trying to achieve how will you know when you've achieved it? Instead of just aimlessly doing things and wondering why you're not getting anything completed, set a target and stick to it. It could be as simple as something like "learn 10 new words in Spanish by 5 pm today". Your targets don't have to be extreme to be worthwhile. So start any new task by just defining what you're trying to complete. That way, you'll know when you've completed it!
5. Be consistent. Incorporating your goals into your daily routine is like dynamite - because it explodes your output exponentially! If you study your materials for just 30 minutes per day for a year, you'll have spent 10,800 minutes doing this - which turns out to be multiple days. This will also allow you to keep your momentum going. Don't feel like you can't get anything done just because you can't spend hours doing it. Meeting goals head-on as often as possible is much more important than how much time you spend when you do. Routines often get a bad rap as fun-killers, boring repetitions, etc. - but, in fact, routine is the very foundation of success. Do it your own way and it doesn't have to suck!
6. Practice saying no. Your energy and focus levels are not infinite so you need to make sure you're making the best use of your time. Friends and family members may not necessarily want to get done what you want to get done and it's very easy to let them get in the way of your ambition (not in a bad way!) As such, it's important to politely let them know that you have some stuff to do and when you're done you'll consider their request to waste your time (in a nice way of course). This doesn't mean not having friends (or family!) but it does mean picking your moments and knowing when no really does need to mean no.
7. Keep in mind that rules are made to be broken. Keep in mind that all of these tips here are just tips. They won't fit each person like a glove. We are all unique and share different struggles. If the routine you have chosen isn't working for you, don't stress about it! Tomorrow is always a new day and you get a clean slate to start with. Tweak your routine as needed so it fits your life. The one important rule that cannot be broken is that you must do something! The more days you waste doing nothing the further away you are from where you want to be. Think positively, follow what works for you, and always keep your head held high. You will achieve what you put your mind to!
1. Break the cycle of inactivity. The biggest reason that projects are never brought to completion is because - we aren't getting off our behinds! Imagine that! If you are in a pattern of inactivity, passivity and/or procrastination, deadlines will pass by, opportunities begin knocking somewhere else, and we're still in the same spot we were when we began wondering if we should get on that project or not. Whether you're getting bogged down in the preparation process, spending more time talking and dreaming rather than doing, or just plain old being a lazy bum, you must begin challenging yourself to be an active participant in your life. The very moment you act, you start to finish. Don't talk, dream, or chill - DO!
2. Think small. What happens when you look at a big task? Well, you think "Oh dear, this is quite the pickle isn't it, I feel quite demotivated by this, and perhaps I will just avoid it and hope it goes away". Problem is - that's not how life works. So to avoid this kind of study paralysis it's important to break the task down into a small, immediately executable task. For example, when you have to write a 1000 word paper, you start by writing just one word - don't you? So write 100 words and take a break. But always think small - in fact think tiny! The smaller the task the better. Why? Because small tasks are easy - and lots of easy tasks all add together to equal one big task. So get thinking - small.
3. Fail, fail and then fail some more. The best way to get things done right? Why fail of course! There is no need to worry about having everything perfect all the time. Guess what, life isn't perfect. Trial and error is important. It helps us learn. Often when we try something for the first time we're not good at it. Big deal! It's persistence that matters, not avoiding failing. Rather than being discouraged by your "failures", learn from them. Then try again. And then try again. Sooner or later, you'll start kicking butt.
4. Create simple objectives for tasks, and revisit them regularly. If you don't know what you're trying to achieve how will you know when you've achieved it? Instead of just aimlessly doing things and wondering why you're not getting anything completed, set a target and stick to it. It could be as simple as something like "learn 10 new words in Spanish by 5 pm today". Your targets don't have to be extreme to be worthwhile. So start any new task by just defining what you're trying to complete. That way, you'll know when you've completed it!
5. Be consistent. Incorporating your goals into your daily routine is like dynamite - because it explodes your output exponentially! If you study your materials for just 30 minutes per day for a year, you'll have spent 10,800 minutes doing this - which turns out to be multiple days. This will also allow you to keep your momentum going. Don't feel like you can't get anything done just because you can't spend hours doing it. Meeting goals head-on as often as possible is much more important than how much time you spend when you do. Routines often get a bad rap as fun-killers, boring repetitions, etc. - but, in fact, routine is the very foundation of success. Do it your own way and it doesn't have to suck!
6. Practice saying no. Your energy and focus levels are not infinite so you need to make sure you're making the best use of your time. Friends and family members may not necessarily want to get done what you want to get done and it's very easy to let them get in the way of your ambition (not in a bad way!) As such, it's important to politely let them know that you have some stuff to do and when you're done you'll consider their request to waste your time (in a nice way of course). This doesn't mean not having friends (or family!) but it does mean picking your moments and knowing when no really does need to mean no.
7. Keep in mind that rules are made to be broken. Keep in mind that all of these tips here are just tips. They won't fit each person like a glove. We are all unique and share different struggles. If the routine you have chosen isn't working for you, don't stress about it! Tomorrow is always a new day and you get a clean slate to start with. Tweak your routine as needed so it fits your life. The one important rule that cannot be broken is that you must do something! The more days you waste doing nothing the further away you are from where you want to be. Think positively, follow what works for you, and always keep your head held high. You will achieve what you put your mind to!
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