All successful people have one thing in common.
They are more productive than people who are less successful – PERIOD!
People who are more successful learn to control distractions, leverage their time, and focus on high-level priorities.
People who are less successful are “busy” or even “crazy busy”. By the way…. this means nothing other than you are wasting your time, and have created a unique opportunity to become frustrated.
To me, being “busy” means a lack of focus and understanding. Being productive means you have focus, intent, and the proper resources to get things done effectively while having fun and keeping your cool.
You already know when you are just “busy” and not “productive”.
Here’s an example of when you need to take a break and refocus: You’ve been working for more than 2 hours and you just start clicking around on your computer, opening and closing windows, drifting over to facebook, and eventually forgetting what you were doing. Learn to detect the onset of this, and take a break before it happens. Come back and start fresh with focus and clarity.
Productivity is not multi-tasking. EVERY study on multi-tasking shows that it slows you down and increases errors. If you think it helps you, you are wrong. It’s like saying you drive better when drunk.
Not true.
Try this as an experiment this week:
– Group together all of your “tough” tasks for the day when you have the most energy and focus.
– Group all of your communications (email, text, Skype, phone, IM, etc) together during a set time for the day.
– Group your physical work together (as much as possible) during the day. EX: workouts, yard work, recreation
– Group your family time together so it’s quality time with no interruptions
This is not compartmentalizing. This is organizing.
Heck, I even change my focus and intent when I eat and take my supplements so I get better digestion and nutrient assimilation.
I think you get the idea.
Let me ask you one more question….
During the time you read this post, did you answer the phone, text someone, open Facebook, answer another person’s question, look around the room, get off track, leave and come back to finish it, or mentally drift at all?
If you answered “yes” to any one of those, you need to improve your focus and productivity.
Talk to you soon,
John Spencer Ellis “JSE”
PS – Give me the opportunity to help you improve your focus, clarity, productivity and overall personal and professional success. Join my JSE Inner Circle coaching and mentoring program. You can get full access for 28 days for just $1. I’ll see you on the inside.
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