One Thing

I have friends who say to me that I am unusually productive. They attribute my productivity to a high degree of energy. Perhaps I do have a lot of energy but there are plenty of times when all I really want to do is lay on the couch and watch some mindless television program. Definitely not the "must see TV" stuff!

Actually, I don't think that I am blessed with more energy than other people. I think that it is something else. I want to share with you a wonderful strategy that I have found has helped me to become more productive.

This actually comes from Brian Tracy. I have heard this over many years; but it wasn't until I actually did something about it that my productivity began to soar. Tracy says to figure out the most important action you need to take in order to reach your goals. Then, spend at least some time every day working on it. Sounds simple, but here's the thing. Unless you actually do it, it won't work.

Whatever the most critical strategy you have for your business, your life or your leadership skills, do something every day to advance that. Maybe you are waiting until you feel more inspired or more energetic. Perhaps you are waiting for significant blocks of time to accomplish the tasks. But in fact, you don't need hours. It may be that all you need to do is make ONE phone call, to send out ONE email, or read ONE chapter of a resource that will further inform your position.

The approach of doing something ---one thing --- every day actually takes less time than trying to figure out when you will have the time. So some days I do quite a bit. Other days, I do very little. It might be nothing more than making a follow-up phone call or doing some administrative work, but the key truly is to do something every day.
I've been pretty good about it. Yes, I've missed a few days. It's hard not to, but the important thing is setting the intention. I think that you will find like I did that you'll get a lot more done if you resolve to do one thing every day. Don't wait till it's convenient ... or you have time blocked out ... or you're feeling moved to take action.

I really hope you'll try it out and let me know how well it works for you.