Sometimes it appears as though only those 'destined' for success are the only ones among us who ever truly accomplish their goals. We all know the type: those who always have things done perfectly and nearly always ahead of time, all while we're still scrambling to figure out how to start. You may even feel as though 'productivity' is mere fantasy, terminology created in the world of business to help measure the bottom line and get their workers churning out more, quickly and without mistakes. Productivity, however, is far more than you realize (it's deep, man!) When you're productive, you are actually living the distinction between being a spectator on the sidelines of your own life vs. jumping in and making things happen! If you never rise up from off of your behind, you'll never live your goals, will you? You think that a world where you can get everything done that you've set out to do is just some far-fetched dreamland? Think again! We are all endowed with the ability to truly engage ourselves in order to get the right things done - things that will put us in the direct path of our dreams (the beginning of the first one submitted is part of this last paragraph). All it takes is the right mindset and energy directed toward a few great tips and tricks! This brings us to the tips and tricks part! Below you'll find Seven Principles of Productivity to aid you on your quest to maximizing your 'self', and rising to the occasion!
1. Break the habit of inaction. It is a really hard habit to break, but it can be done! The most common reason our dreams or goals aren't getting completed is, well, because you are not completing them! We need to apply action to them one step at a time. Do not expect to go to bed one night content with inaction and wake up the next morning as a superhero. This step takes time but it is worth every moment. Since we are busy, stressed, and emotional creatures, we tend to get bogged down with things in our daily life. We can get past this though! It only takes a few minutes a day to take your first next step toward what you need to do. Think about it, the minute you start something, you are starting to finish it. It isn't as far away as it looks.
2. Take small steps. As mentioned in step one, this is essential into getting you up and moving and on board the action packed train. The problem with working for one big goal is it can become overwhelming very quickly to think about. For example, you have to take a test and need to study for it. If you sit down in front of a 400 page text book, you immediately feel the rise of anxiety on your chest and the fear of failure lingering nearby. You may think "I will never get through all of this!" and at that point, most people feel the stress overwhelming them and they give up. What if you took one small step at a time? You sat down and said, "I am going to read one chapter right now", and that was it; nothing further, nothing more. You would read your one chapter and then take a break to do something else. Then later, you will come back and read the next chapter and repeat the process. Before you know it, you have read that whole book with little to no stress and especially no looming feelings of doom. You did it! It just takes one small step. If you know where you want to go or where you want to be, it doesn't have to be a race to get there.
3. The fail trap. Almost everyone will hit a stumbling block at some point, an obstacle on the way to their goal. As hard as these trips and falls are, they are important. They help us learn and they help us grow. Without failure, you would not know success. Let's say you have a project due for work. You decide you are going to take those small steps we mentioned before but something goes awry. Somehow you did not plan enough time and you are now rushed in the end, not finishing your project anywhere close to your standards. You may turn it in, and you may get an earful from your boss. It is a temporarily stumble and fall, but it was necessary because you learned something! You pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and learn not to make the same mistake again. Whenever we start anything new there are bound to be obstacles in our way, but with time and persistence, you will only get better and better until you will see those roadblocks from far ahead and jump with ease over them.
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. Learn to pass. Ever heard of 'Burning the candle at both ends"? Getting into the habit of saying yes to every opportunity that passes by is one that will truly become a detriment to your progress. You have a finite supply of time and energy, and although you certainly need to set time aside to have fun, relax, visit with friends, etc., be sure that this time isn't impeding on the time that you'll need to make the incremental progress that you have planned for yourself. Sometimes making the grade you'll need to get to the next level means passing up on things that appeal very much to you, but just think! Once you've met your goals, there will be plenty more time to sit back and enjoy life - likely with much more resources with which to do them!
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 habit of inaction. It is a really hard habit to break, but it can be done! The most common reason our dreams or goals aren't getting completed is, well, because you are not completing them! We need to apply action to them one step at a time. Do not expect to go to bed one night content with inaction and wake up the next morning as a superhero. This step takes time but it is worth every moment. Since we are busy, stressed, and emotional creatures, we tend to get bogged down with things in our daily life. We can get past this though! It only takes a few minutes a day to take your first next step toward what you need to do. Think about it, the minute you start something, you are starting to finish it. It isn't as far away as it looks.
2. Take small steps. As mentioned in step one, this is essential into getting you up and moving and on board the action packed train. The problem with working for one big goal is it can become overwhelming very quickly to think about. For example, you have to take a test and need to study for it. If you sit down in front of a 400 page text book, you immediately feel the rise of anxiety on your chest and the fear of failure lingering nearby. You may think "I will never get through all of this!" and at that point, most people feel the stress overwhelming them and they give up. What if you took one small step at a time? You sat down and said, "I am going to read one chapter right now", and that was it; nothing further, nothing more. You would read your one chapter and then take a break to do something else. Then later, you will come back and read the next chapter and repeat the process. Before you know it, you have read that whole book with little to no stress and especially no looming feelings of doom. You did it! It just takes one small step. If you know where you want to go or where you want to be, it doesn't have to be a race to get there.
3. The fail trap. Almost everyone will hit a stumbling block at some point, an obstacle on the way to their goal. As hard as these trips and falls are, they are important. They help us learn and they help us grow. Without failure, you would not know success. Let's say you have a project due for work. You decide you are going to take those small steps we mentioned before but something goes awry. Somehow you did not plan enough time and you are now rushed in the end, not finishing your project anywhere close to your standards. You may turn it in, and you may get an earful from your boss. It is a temporarily stumble and fall, but it was necessary because you learned something! You pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and learn not to make the same mistake again. Whenever we start anything new there are bound to be obstacles in our way, but with time and persistence, you will only get better and better until you will see those roadblocks from far ahead and jump with ease over them.
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. Learn to pass. Ever heard of 'Burning the candle at both ends"? Getting into the habit of saying yes to every opportunity that passes by is one that will truly become a detriment to your progress. You have a finite supply of time and energy, and although you certainly need to set time aside to have fun, relax, visit with friends, etc., be sure that this time isn't impeding on the time that you'll need to make the incremental progress that you have planned for yourself. Sometimes making the grade you'll need to get to the next level means passing up on things that appeal very much to you, but just think! Once you've met your goals, there will be plenty more time to sit back and enjoy life - likely with much more resources with which to do them!
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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