"ultimate" guide to anything. In general, I find the
important things in life take some time, some effort and a
bit of skill, and that while "instant" fixes may be fast,
they seldom last.
This week, however, my reading and thinking have focused on
something that is so fast, so obvious and so powerful, I
want to share it with you. In preparing the Git 'er Done
tools and coaching call for next week, I've focused on the
fact that it's what we achieve or master in life that actually
endures. It's not what we intend, or dream or hope. It's what
we do that matters and lasts.
So, with that premise, I've focused on productivity. I've
been asking, "What specific conditions help us get the most
done with the least effort and the most fun?" Here are five
key steps:
1. Time Management. This is the most common and the least
effective way to increase our results. We're trying to
manage something we don't own and that fundamentally cannot
be managed or changed. Time just is. It's here, it flows,
and it's gone. Time management is a non-starter and if you
aren't managing your priorities, energy, physical space,
and personal environment, trying to manage time is just one
more source of frustration.
2. Activity Management. This at least has the virtue of
being "do-able." We can choose our priorities and manage
our actions through the day. We can say no to distractions
and focus our efforts. Practice "single handling" and avoid
the fallacy of "multi-tasking!" Do one thing at a time and
do it well. Refuse to engage in dead-end activities. Plan
your activities and stick to your plan!
3. Energy Management. This is what most people are actually
hoping for when they talk about time management. They want
to get more done with less effort and have something left
for "me" or "we" at the end of the day. Manage your energy.
Sleep well, rest often, be efficient. Do your most
important work when you are most awake. Put your "best
stuff" into your most important priorities and let things
of secondary importance get secondary effort. It's not the
quickest or easiest path to the good life, but it's a
reasonable start.
4. Space Management. Now things get interesting! Manage
your environment so it's hard (and rare) for people or
things to interrupt you. Close the door, turn off the phone
and focus until your most important work is complete.
Eliminate distractions. Fix, replace or junk anything that
annoys or frustrates you. Make your office, car, kitchen,
bedroom and bathroom "perfect!" Clean them up. Surround
yourself with beauty! Make everything around you attractive
and inspiring. You'll get more done and have more fun doing
it.
5. Eco-System Design™. This is what we're looking for! Why
“manage” chaos when you can create the life of your dreams?
The key is a system that effortlessly (and inevitably)
pulls you toward your most important goals and most
exciting outcomes every single day. You don't have to
"think about it" or "work at it." Design a life that simply
"makes it so!"
Surround yourself with things and people that inspire you,
that give you energy and support you to be your best, most
productive and most joyful. Fill your life with things and
people that pull you forward. No distractions! No
annoyances, no break-downs, no crises. Use pro-active
maintenance in every area of life so you live well and do
the work you are called to do!
Fortunately, this is not hard! People say they can't have a
perfect eco-system because they can't afford it or don’t
have time, or their family or friends won't allow it.
Nonsense! Creating a great life is not hard -- living with
frustration is "hard!" Creating a perfect life may require
some investment or learning new habits, but living well is
not nearly as hard as living with problems!
This is the ultimate (and ultimately the only) solution to
maximum productivity!
been asking, "What specific conditions help us get the most
done with the least effort and the most fun?" Here are five
key steps:
1. Time Management. This is the most common and the least
effective way to increase our results. We're trying to
manage something we don't own and that fundamentally cannot
be managed or changed. Time just is. It's here, it flows,
and it's gone. Time management is a non-starter and if you
aren't managing your priorities, energy, physical space,
and personal environment, trying to manage time is just one
more source of frustration.
2. Activity Management. This at least has the virtue of
being "do-able." We can choose our priorities and manage
our actions through the day. We can say no to distractions
and focus our efforts. Practice "single handling" and avoid
the fallacy of "multi-tasking!" Do one thing at a time and
do it well. Refuse to engage in dead-end activities. Plan
your activities and stick to your plan!
3. Energy Management. This is what most people are actually
hoping for when they talk about time management. They want
to get more done with less effort and have something left
for "me" or "we" at the end of the day. Manage your energy.
Sleep well, rest often, be efficient. Do your most
important work when you are most awake. Put your "best
stuff" into your most important priorities and let things
of secondary importance get secondary effort. It's not the
quickest or easiest path to the good life, but it's a
reasonable start.
4. Space Management. Now things get interesting! Manage
your environment so it's hard (and rare) for people or
things to interrupt you. Close the door, turn off the phone
and focus until your most important work is complete.
Eliminate distractions. Fix, replace or junk anything that
annoys or frustrates you. Make your office, car, kitchen,
bedroom and bathroom "perfect!" Clean them up. Surround
yourself with beauty! Make everything around you attractive
and inspiring. You'll get more done and have more fun doing
it.
5. Eco-System Design™. This is what we're looking for! Why
“manage” chaos when you can create the life of your dreams?
The key is a system that effortlessly (and inevitably)
pulls you toward your most important goals and most
exciting outcomes every single day. You don't have to
"think about it" or "work at it." Design a life that simply
"makes it so!"
Surround yourself with things and people that inspire you,
that give you energy and support you to be your best, most
productive and most joyful. Fill your life with things and
people that pull you forward. No distractions! No
annoyances, no break-downs, no crises. Use pro-active
maintenance in every area of life so you live well and do
the work you are called to do!
Fortunately, this is not hard! People say they can't have a
perfect eco-system because they can't afford it or don’t
have time, or their family or friends won't allow it.
Nonsense! Creating a great life is not hard -- living with
frustration is "hard!" Creating a perfect life may require
some investment or learning new habits, but living well is
not nearly as hard as living with problems!
This is the ultimate (and ultimately the only) solution to
maximum productivity!
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