INSTANT GUIDE TO GETTING MORE DONE

It's rare that I find something that is both "instant" and
the "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.
Recently, however, my MasterMind group helped me clarify
something that is so powerful, I want to share it with you.
This group meets on the phone each week for an hour to
clarify our goals, develop powerful strategies and GET
THINGS DONE. In the end, it's what we achieve or do that
endures. It's not what we intend, or who we know. In the
end, it's what we get done that matters.
So, with that premise, we focused on productivity and asked
the key question: Under what conditions do we accomplish
the most, with the least effort and the most fun? What
creates those special days when everything goes just right?
Here are five key steps we sorted out:
1. Time Management.  This is the most common and typically
the least effective way to manage our lives. Time
management focuses on something we don't own and that
fundamentally cannot be managed or changed. Time management
is simply a non-starter and if you aren't managing your
priorities, physical space, and personal Eco-System well,
other people will certainly try to "help" you, with
frustrating results.
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. Practice "single handling." Do
one thing at a time and do it well. Avoid dead-end busy-
work at all costs! Use a daily calendar and a weekly
planner. 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 for people and things to
interrupt you. Close the door and hide! Eliminate
distractions and fix, replace or eliminate anything that
annoys or frustrates you. Make your office, car, kitchen,
bedroom and bathroom "perfect!" Paint the walls, get new
tools or a desk chair that fits! Make everything around you
more functional, more comfortable and more inspiring.
You'll get more done and have more fun doing it.
5.  Eco-System Design(tm).  This is what we're looking for!
Who wants to "get by" or "survive" when you can create the
life of your dreams! The key is developing systems that
effortlessly and automatically "pull" you toward your
goals. Why "push" when you can let systems do the hard work
for you?
Surround yourself with things and people that inspire you,
that make you laugh, that GIVE you energy and "lure" you to
be your best, your 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
preventive, pro-active maintenance in every area of life so
you live well and can 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--it's certainly
easier than living with frustration! A perfect life may
involve learning some new habits, but living well is not
nearly as hard as living with problems!