I was listening to a podcast the other day about ten great habits for highly productive people. I’m not going to lie. I was quickly overwhelmed as this super disciplined guy laid out his best habits to track your time, track your steps, prioritize your work, eliminate time-sucks, and stay focused on long-term goals. I’m linking here so you can see for yourself, but be prepared to exit the podcast feeling the need to make some change but disinclined to commit to any of the suggested habits. At least not right away… Maybe later?
This isn’t to denigrate the fine work this guy has done, but rather to suggest that perhaps there is a slightly less ambitious way to take on making good habits. The multiple book author/father of a toddler/entrepreneur/marathon runner just may be starting at a different point that where I am. Maybe I need some good habit hacks for the non-iron woman.
One suggestion he made did resonate with me, probably because I seem to come across it again and again in the literature. You have to write down your goals and keep them in mind on a daily basis. For the author, he had five life goals (3 work and 2 personal, including running an Ironman triathlon) he stays focused on. Through an elaborate set-up, they appear on his computer every time he opens a new window, but I think a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or next to your computer could work just as well.
The idea is to write down the five things you really want to make progress on in your life. Pick health goals, personal goals, or professional ones. Write them down. Then ask yourself how everything else you do during the day fits into one of those goals. If it doesn’t, why are you doing it?
This may seem rigid and I’m not sure how I’m going to fit all my home renovation shows (Fixer Upper/Flip or Flop/Hometown) into this decision matrix, but you can begin to see the value. By keeping these big-ticket items top of mind, it is much easier to make smaller decisions that support them. And therefore, much easier to actually start making progress on them. I’ve seen similar suggestions in at least three other books on success/self-help/entrepreneurship that I’m reading. (Author’s note: As longtime readers will recall, my “reading” a book often means (that I bought the book, own the book, and thumb through it from time to time!)
Seeing your goals every day. Remembering what bigger ticket items should be a focus every day. And once I can list them, and remember them, it follows that it will be much, much easier to actually start making progress on them.
Baby steps seem to be the only way for me. My action item today is to make said list. What are the 4/5 things I want to really make progress on before the end of the year? If I can’t name them then there’s a good chance I won’t be making progress on them. Go figure! I’ll be back tomorrow to report out on how I did. Why don’t you join me on this journey!
Boonedoggler 