I know you’re Busy, but are you Productive?
Yes, he’s cute. But you don’t really want to BE him.
I know you work hard. I know you give your all each day. I know you’re exhausted at the end of the day. I know you’re overwhelmed. I don’t doubt any of that! But, that is not the question I’m asking. What I’m asking is…
Are you Busy or Productive?
Busy is doing stuff–lots of stuff. Busy is working hard. Busy is running around and taking care of stuff moment-to-moment. Busy is taking care of what needs to be taken care of right now. But, make no mistake…
Busy Does NOT Mean Productive!
Busy is exhausting. It’s overwhelming, and it’s frustrating! Busy is moving, but not moving forward—like a hamster on a wheel, or treading water, or spinning around with one shoe nailed to the floor.
Productive is Intentional.
Productive is meaningful. Productive has purpose and direction. Productive makes a contribution toward an objective or toward a greater goal. Productive moves the right things forward, consistently.
Busy is often how we measure our days, but it’s not a meaningful measure. Productivity can (and should) be quantified, but maybe not in the way you may think! Productivity cannot be measured by simply counting how many things got ticked off your to-do list. You can only measure productivity by measuring Progress Toward an Outcome.
Think about it, and look objectively at the last month of your life. Now, ask yourself again, what percentage of your days…
Are you Busy or Productive?
Most of my clients work their asses off all day long at work, and at home, but rarely feel like they’re making the kind of progress they want to. And it shows. Their businesses are not growing or their careers are not advancing in the way they know they can.
Most people will say they’re busy, and they’re 100% right! We’re all busy. We all have more to do than we can finish in any given day. It’s true!
We all have the same 24 hours in each day. Why is it that some people seem to make the most of their 24 hours to achieve great things in their businesses and their lives, while you struggle to keep your head above water? How can those same high-achieving, highly successful people also have great relationships and full personal lives while you inch forward on your best days and barely have time to squeeze out a few minutes for your significant other, closest friends or yourself?
They’re probably not smarter than you. They’re probably not working harder than you.
What’s their secret to success?
First, They Know Their Why! They know the real purpose of what they’re doing. When you know your Why, you have purpose. You know the reason for what you’re doing. (I know you’re asking yourself, how do I know what my Why is? I can’t answer that for you—it’s different for each of us.) Why did you start your business? Why do you do your job? It’s the deep-down reason you put one foot in front of the other. Knowing your Why and keeping it in front of you makes the hard work you have to do a lot easier and more meaningful!
Next, They Know Their What! They have clarity in their desired outcome. What are the most important outcomes for your job? What’s most important to your business now? You need to know what you’re moving toward to know which way to go. Your “What” is like the destination you enter in your GPS.
Next, They Have Daily Direction! They start their day knowing what they intend to do, and focused on what gives them meaningful movement toward their outcome, their clear What. That daily direction is like the route on your GPS that moves you toward your destination. I call these my Daily Intentions—I start every day with a clear, concise list of what I truly intend to take care of that day. If you don’t clearly set your daily intentions, you’re more likely to be busy than productive. I tell my clients that if they don’t set clear intentions, they’ll spend too much of their day taking care of what pops up than what is meaningful.
They Know Their Limits! They delegate what others can do more cost-effectively. They say No (or “Not Now”) to activities, opportunities and ideas that will not move them toward their current What. They have processes and systems in place for making sure those ideas and activities are not forgotten or lost forever.
Finally, They Have Reviews. They take time near the end of each day to see what’s left and objectively look at their day. They review, course-correct when needed, assess their progress toward their outcomes, and set their intentions for the next day
And they lather, rinse, and repeat.
Doesn’t this Sound Easy?
Of course it’s not! But, it can be when it’s done right. And if you’d figured that out, you’d already be doing it (and not reading this)! I’m sure you’ve done some form of this before (probably somebody else’s system you tried to plug yourself into), but it wasn’t sustainable for you. Doing it in a way that comes naturally to you is what it’s all about.
What’s Natural is Easy.
What’s Easy is Sustainable.
And what’s Sustainable makes managing your whole life and achieving your desired outcome Easier!
Stop struggling and trying to figure it out for yourself! You don’t have to go it alone. Get the support you need so that you can make the most of your 24 hours to create the business and the life you want most, no matter what that is for you. You really can put your performance in sync with your potential once and for all, and take control of your time and energy.
Ready to get get off your hamster wheel and get truly productive? You can do it!
And I’m right here to lend a hand if you need it!
Take care,
Lynne Edris, ACG
Productivity & ADHD Coach
www.CoachingADDvantages.com
P.S. Are you ready to Unleash Your Potential and Achieve More in Less Time? Join us at www.UnleashedPotential.group
