Five Steps of Productivity
All of us wish that we could be more productive, but sometimes things like being disorganized and procrastinating can keep us from reaching our full potential.
Our goals and dreams can, at times, seem unreachable and the obstacles in our paths insurmountable.
Fortunately, however, the secret to being a productive person who knows how to accomplish any task set before them really isn't that difficult.
All you need to know is how to get started, and I'm going to give you five simple steps to becoming a more productive you.
1.
You may be surprised at how obvious the first step sounds, but let it fool you - it's an important place to start! You have to first realize what it is you want to accomplish.
What are your goals? Where do you want to be, and how long do you want it to take? It may be something small, such as cleaning out the garage, or could be bigger such as finding a better job and making more money.
There aren't any limitations here - just dig deep, and figure out what it is you want to achieve.
2.
People generally lag behind in productivity by one of three causes.
- Either they can't see what they need to accomplish, they can't keep track of all they need to get done, or the lack of will causes them to procrastinate.
We've already talked about the first problem with step one, and here we're addressing the second.
- Make sure to write your goals down.
With a neat and organized list of the goals you need to complete, it's nearly impossible to forget or lose track, and taking a look at it is a great way to strengthen your commitment.
Make sure to put this in an obvious spot where you'll see it daily.
3.
The last of those three problems is procrastination, and it can be the most difficult.
Some of us are just natural procrastinators, and getting over this largely depends upon your own determination and persistence.
I do have some advice, however.
It seems to me that when most of us procrastinate, we're swapping what we don't want to do with what we do - we trade work for pleasure.
One way you can help you avoid this is to make sure that your goals don't devour you - make sure you don't overwork yourself, and when you're setting yourself a schedule or plan, include some time for you to do the things you'll enjoy.
You'll keep yourself happier this way, and you'll be more able to focus on and stick with your work.
4.
Once you have your goals written down and a rough schedule of the times you can set aside to work towards them, you need to make sure that you actually get things done.
This obviously requires will and determination on your part - no self-help article is going to make it happen! What I can offer you, however, is some advice on getting the ball rolling.
There is an old Chinese proverb that goes "It does not matter how slow you move, so long as you do not stop.
" This has strong application here - make sure to get something accomplished each day, no matter how small it may seem.
As long as you are in the habit of getting something done, your project will progress.
It is when you stop working altogether that it becomes incredibly difficult to get started once again.
5.
Finally, create reminders of why you are doing what you are doing.
Everyone has a reason for their actions, and everyone has things that motivate them.
If you want a big promotion at work, occasionally think about how nice a new sports car would be, or about how much better your job would be.
Stay in touch with your motivations - they will keep you going even when you've lost all will to continue forward.
A motivated person is a powerful person, and is capable of doing anything they set their minds to.
Don't forget the purpose behind your project, and you'll find it much easier to accomplish.
There is not actually much distance between success and failure.
Often, the only differences between the two lie within your attitude and your planning.
Make your commitment and take it seriously, and make a schedule that you can live with which won't cause you to become over-burdened.
Make sure you keep your project moving forward, and never forget the reasons that you started in the first place.
Keep all of these in mind, and you will be amazed at what great feats you can accomplish.
Our goals and dreams can, at times, seem unreachable and the obstacles in our paths insurmountable.
Fortunately, however, the secret to being a productive person who knows how to accomplish any task set before them really isn't that difficult.
All you need to know is how to get started, and I'm going to give you five simple steps to becoming a more productive you.
1.
You may be surprised at how obvious the first step sounds, but let it fool you - it's an important place to start! You have to first realize what it is you want to accomplish.
What are your goals? Where do you want to be, and how long do you want it to take? It may be something small, such as cleaning out the garage, or could be bigger such as finding a better job and making more money.
There aren't any limitations here - just dig deep, and figure out what it is you want to achieve.
2.
People generally lag behind in productivity by one of three causes.
- Either they can't see what they need to accomplish, they can't keep track of all they need to get done, or the lack of will causes them to procrastinate.
We've already talked about the first problem with step one, and here we're addressing the second.
- Make sure to write your goals down.
With a neat and organized list of the goals you need to complete, it's nearly impossible to forget or lose track, and taking a look at it is a great way to strengthen your commitment.
Make sure to put this in an obvious spot where you'll see it daily.
3.
The last of those three problems is procrastination, and it can be the most difficult.
Some of us are just natural procrastinators, and getting over this largely depends upon your own determination and persistence.
I do have some advice, however.
It seems to me that when most of us procrastinate, we're swapping what we don't want to do with what we do - we trade work for pleasure.
One way you can help you avoid this is to make sure that your goals don't devour you - make sure you don't overwork yourself, and when you're setting yourself a schedule or plan, include some time for you to do the things you'll enjoy.
You'll keep yourself happier this way, and you'll be more able to focus on and stick with your work.
4.
Once you have your goals written down and a rough schedule of the times you can set aside to work towards them, you need to make sure that you actually get things done.
This obviously requires will and determination on your part - no self-help article is going to make it happen! What I can offer you, however, is some advice on getting the ball rolling.
There is an old Chinese proverb that goes "It does not matter how slow you move, so long as you do not stop.
" This has strong application here - make sure to get something accomplished each day, no matter how small it may seem.
As long as you are in the habit of getting something done, your project will progress.
It is when you stop working altogether that it becomes incredibly difficult to get started once again.
5.
Finally, create reminders of why you are doing what you are doing.
Everyone has a reason for their actions, and everyone has things that motivate them.
If you want a big promotion at work, occasionally think about how nice a new sports car would be, or about how much better your job would be.
Stay in touch with your motivations - they will keep you going even when you've lost all will to continue forward.
A motivated person is a powerful person, and is capable of doing anything they set their minds to.
Don't forget the purpose behind your project, and you'll find it much easier to accomplish.
There is not actually much distance between success and failure.
Often, the only differences between the two lie within your attitude and your planning.
Make your commitment and take it seriously, and make a schedule that you can live with which won't cause you to become over-burdened.
Make sure you keep your project moving forward, and never forget the reasons that you started in the first place.
Keep all of these in mind, and you will be amazed at what great feats you can accomplish.
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