[Billy]

I posted this elsewhere, which I found about fixing a problem I have. I know loads of others have this same problem of losing focus too easily (esp. on the interwebz).

This ones for you:


[Warning for the lazy bastards - this is a long post].

Useful notes from Eat That Frog - Brian Tracey.

Less procrastination. More productivity, basically. This stuff can really help you make it rain:

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Select most important task and make a start and do it quickly and well = success

Do the biggest hardest task first – break it down into smaller pieces

High levels of performance and productivity = tackling your major task first thing each morning.

Successful, effective people get into major tasks quickly and then discipline themselves to work steadily and single mindedly until those tasks are complete

95% of your success in life are determined by habits that you develop over time. The habit of setting priorities, overcoming procrastination and getting on with the most important task = a mental and physical skill. So it is LEARNABLE through PRACTICE AND REPETITION. Then it becomes both automatic and easy to do.

Important task completion triggers the release of endorphins in your brain – makes you feel good.

First, develop the habit of task completion. Second, discipline yourself to practice the principles you are about to learn over and over until you master them. And finally, back everything you do with determination until the habit is locked in and becomes a permanent part of your personality.

Clarity is the most important concept in personal productivity. The number one reason why some people get more work done faster is because they are absolutely clear about their goals and objectives and they don’t deviate from them.

A major reason for procrastination and lack of motivation is vagueness, confusion and fuzzy mindedness about what it is you are supposed to do, and in what order and for what reason. Avoid this with clarity in what you’re trying to do.

Here is a great rule for success: "Think on paper." – You can ‘see’ everything, the overview at a glance almost.

Only about 3% of adults have clear, written goals. These people accomplish five and ten times as much as people of equal or better education and ability but who, for whatever reason, have never taken the time to write out exactly what it is they want.

Rule: “One of the very worst uses of time is to do something very well that need not be done at all.”

- Step number one: Decide exactly what you want

- Step number two: Write it down

- Step number three: Set a deadline on your goal

- Step number four: Make a list of everything that you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal

- Step number five: Organize the list into a plan

- Step number six: Take action on your plan immediately.

- Step number seven: Resolve to do something every single day that moves you toward your major goal. Build this activity into your daily schedule. Never miss a day. Once you start moving, keep moving. Don’t stop. This decision, this discipline alone, can make you one of the most productive and successful people of your generation


Action Point:

Take a clean sheet of paper right now and make out a list of ten goals you want to accomplish in the next year. Write your goals as though a year has already passed and they are now a reality.

Use the present tense, positive and personal case so that they are immediately accepted by your subconscious mind.

For example, you would write. “I earn X number of dollars per year.” Or “I weigh X number of pounds.” Or “I drive such and such a car.”
Then, go back over your list of ten goals and select the one goal that, if you achieved it, would have the greatest positive impact on your life.

Whatever that goal is, write it on a separate sheet of paper, set a deadline, make a plan, take action on your plan and then do something every single day that moves you toward that goal. This exercise alone could change your life!

Your mind, your ability to think, plan and decide, is your most powerful tool for overcoming procrastination and increasing your productivity. Your ability to set your goals, plan and take action on them determines the course of your life. The very act of thinking and planning unlocks your mental powers, triggers your creativity and increases your mental and physical energies.

Alex MacKenzie wrote, "Action without planning is the cause of every failure."

The good news is that every minute spent in planning saves as many as ten minutes in execution. It only takes about ten or twelve minutes for you to plan out your day, but this small investment of time will save you at least two hours (100-120 minutes) in wasted time and diffused effort throughout the day.

“Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance."

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This is stuff from the first 2 chapters, but is really all you need. If you actually use it, this can be life changing.

[Capler]

Amen to this post.

Although I have long been a believer in setting clear goals and working toward them, I have been ANAL about it lately and making WAY more progress.

If possible - make it idiot proof for yourself.

Something like "submit articles to EZA today" is NOT idiot proof.

Better is something like --> "Submit 5 articles to EZA today: 1 on A, 1 on B, 1 on C..."

I just got 1 huge whiteboard + 2 other smaller ones, best $20 investment ever. Has had to have saved me $100s or $1000s in time.

[Billy]

Originally Posted by Capler

I just got 1 huge whiteboard + 2 other smaller ones, best $20 investment ever. Has had to have saved me $100s or $1000s in time.

GOOD!

Funny thing about whiteboards. They can make a really posh room look like a really crappy room. Then people come in and say 'why the heck have you got that there' as if you're crazy or something.

Little do they realise the posh wall wouldn't even be there if you weren't staying on top of business with those whiteboards.

Can you tell I'm a fan of whiteboards!?!