Have you noticed that some people just seem to
accomplish tons and still appear happy and relaxed? Here are six tips
for becoming more productive.
People often ask me, amazed, how I manage to do so many things.
Aside from writing two columns every week, I speak regularly, travel,
create videos, manage my business, write books, consult with five
companies, network, socialize, cycle, run, read, cook, sleep six to
seven hours a night and have dates with my wife. Oh yeah, I watch a lot
of television while hanging out with my dog as well.
Okay, I know it sounds ridiculous. But accomplishing my preferred future
requires this level of activity. I have the same 24 hours in a day that
you do, but I have made specific choices that allow me to make the most
of every day, and still feel happy and relaxed. Perhaps these tips will
help you make the most of your time as well.
1. Pick Your Priorities
Make choices about the activities in your life. With most endeavors,
you can either go deep or go wide. Focus on spending time that for you
is fun and productive. If you like big families, have them, but
recognize up front that kids require time and you'll have to choose a
lifestyle that supports quality time with them, for you to feel
satisfied. I chose the life of a consultant
because I like to work with companies, but don't want the life of a big
company CEO. My choices are based on the lifestyle I want.
2. Go For Efficiency
You don't do everything well. The things you do well usually give you
greater joy and require less time. Don't take on something with a steep
learning curve if you don't have the available bandwidth. Design your
life to meet your wants, and recognize when to say no to opportunities
that are outside the scope of your desires. Live your life by design, not default.
3. Integrate Your Activities
Many people go crazy trying to figure out how to spend time with
friends, family, work, play, etc. Stop trying to balance time between
them all. Find ways to enjoy them in a combined manner. Build your
social life around people in your work environment. Find people in your
company who share common interests and develop your career around the
people and activities you love. If everything is out of synch to the
point where you feel pulled and stressed, a change is likely imminent
one way or another.
4. Actively Manage Time-wasters
Social media, family, friends, employees, co-workers and general
whiners all under certain circumstances can suck precious time from you
if you let them. Budget your time for necessary activities. Make a
choice to limit non-supportive interactions that don't energize you. As
for social media, it can easily be a black hole for time and
productivity. Use it appropriately and sparingly as a tool to support
your endeavors and social needs, but lay off the Farmville.
5. Be an Active Learner
You would think learning takes
more time from you, but actually there are always new tools and new ways
of doing things that can save you time on mundane tasks freeing you up
for your priorities. Always be looking for a new way to gain back an hour here or there. Just try it and dump it quick if it starts to drag on.
6. Lighten Up
No need to beat yourself up if you can't do all the things you want
because you are handling other stuff that needs attention. It happens. The world won't come to an end
in most cases just because you left a few things undone. Celebrate
progress and keep refining toward a happy productive existence. This is
why making lists and crossing off items is a staple in any productivity
handbook. Every completion is a small victory that adds up in a big way.
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