Productivity Relies on Making Certain Choices
If we choose to build productive habits, we leave room to make better decisions that are crucial to achieving success.
It’s important to understand the way we frame our daily decisions — to take
into account the goals we embrace versus the goals we ignore — and how
our culture establishes leaders to drive innovation from being genuinely
productive. Over time, we’ve seen that some people and companies
struggle to change, despite years of trying, while others seem to remake
themselves overnight. Scientists have explored how habits work and where,
exactly, they reside in our brains to discover how the right habits are
crucial to individual success.
One way to achieve success is by focusing on those patterns shaping every
aspect of our lives. This influences behaviors ranging from exercising
regularly and losing weight to raising exceptional children, becoming more
productive and building revolutionary companies.
The most productive people, companies, and organizations don’t merely act
differently. They apply the “science” of productivity: finding more success (by becoming smarter, faster, and better at everything we do) with less
stress. Based on this understanding of human nature and the way habits
form can bring to life a whole new perspective in its potential for
transformation.
Whatever your goal, the key to success is understanding how habits work
for and against us and that we have the power to transform them. So, the
question is: How do you transform your habits? With the end of one year
and the dawn of a new one, let’s think about the idea of transition. How can
the idea of a seasonal “reset” get us in the headspace of revisiting and
revising our habits and goals?
Many of us end each day feeling frustrated and disappointed that we didn’t
accomplish as much as we wanted to. So how do we focus on prioritization
from a personal productivity level? We don’t need longer to-do lists.
Instead, we recommend just picking one task at a time, and focusing all
your attention on that one thing until it’s completed. This requires you to
reflect on your overall to-do list and make a strategic, intentional choice
about what you will tackle next. By taking on one task at a time, you’re far
more likely to follow through and accomplish your goals. It’s all about
making meaningful progress. It’s also a good idea to track your time to
understand your work habits and evaluate productivity.
Here are some productivity tips from our Honestly collaborators:
“I get up early (at around 5) and by 5:15 am at my desk and do one hour of
focused work (usually writing) on a priority project selected the day before.
If you don’t have kids maybe you could get up later ;-) Coffee helps. It’s my
single most productive hour of the day.”
— Mark Tosczak, Strategist & Writer
“Start the day with the largest, most challenging project. When you need a
break, tackle the smaller things to break the day up.”
— Mattie Wells, Designer
“Set daily and weekly goals. Tackle the item on your list that you LEAST
want to do FIRST. Close out each day with a plan for tomorrow.”
— Hillary Peterson, Engagement Lead
“Keep two separate to do lists — one for that day and an overall one for that
month.”
— Allison Amos, Managing Director
“Set up a list of priorities at the start of each day. Organize your day into
chunks/blocks where you can devote a specific amount of time to
individual tasks. Set aside a particular time of day to check emails.”
— Jarrett Webb, Designer
RESOURCES
Here are some simple planning tools to help you get in the headspace of
revisiting habits and evaluating goals:
15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management:
Quick Start Action Plan
An Introduction to Bullet Journaling:
https://youtu.be/ZK5VUuxGYr0
The Millionaire’s Day Planner (page 3 in PDF):
https://www.kevinkruse.com/quick-start-action-plan/
Articles
“Your To-Do List Is, in Fact, Too Long” by Peter Bregman — We don’t need
longer lists or new apps or revamped calendar systems. The author
recommends picking one task and focusing on just that one thing until it’s
completed.
“Productivity Isn’t About Time Management. It’s About Attention
Management.” by Adam Grant — Through years of experience, the author
becomes convinced that time management is not a solution — it’s actually
part of the problem.
“Conquer Your To-Do List with This Simple Hack” by Ellen Auster and
Shannon Auster-Weiss — These two authors recommend that when feeling
overwhelmed by a long list, focus on two criteria in our decision making:
importance and urgency.
Books
Smarter Faster Better: The Transformative Power of Real Productivity — In his 2016 book, Charles Duhigg applies relentless curiosity, deep reporting, and rich storytelling to explain how we can improve at the things we do.
The Miracle Morning: The 6 Habits that Will Transform Your Life Before 8 a.m. — Hal Elrod’s approach may be the simplest to achieving everything you’ve ever wanted, and faster than you ever thought possible. Wake up each day with more energy, motivation, and focus.
The Power of Habit — Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business — In his 2014 book, Charles Duhigg (can you tell we’re fans of his?) takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist, that they aren’t destiny and how they can be changed.
Podcasts
Beyond The To-Do List — If you’re often finding yourself overwhelmed by your to-do list, your obligations, and all the hats you wear in your career and at home, listen and learn as Fisher talks with real people who implement practical productivity strategies in their professional and personal lives.
Getting Things Done — In his podcast, host Allen uses the “GTD” system to help listeners achieve what he calls a “mind like water” among the various topics of technology, creativity, and improving mental flow.
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