Productivity and success go hand-in-hand. When working on your One Thing, you may find yourself in situations that steal your productivity. It can happen without you even noticing. When it does happen, all that focus and energy you have suffers, thus, causing the task at hand to suffer as well. If you’re finding that your productivity levels are not where they should be, it’s likely due to one of the four main productivity thieves.
The best way to avoid being held up is by learning about the thieves and ways to keep yourself from falling victim to their grasp.
Knowing When to Say No
Many people want to say yes to everything that’s thrown their way. Saying yes may seem like it’s going to keep you from burning professional bridges or hindering your business development. The truth is that saying yes to everything can rob you of your productivity because saying yes to one task becomes an automatic no to everything else on your plate.
To avoid this thief, you’ll want to learn how and when to say no. Prioritize tasks by importance and when it comes to your One Thing, make sure that it’s at the top of the list. Learning how to say no in a positive way will keep you focused on your top priorities.
Embracing the Chaos
Life is chaos. There is no way around it. If you focus solely on your One Thing, the smaller tasks or duties can get pushed aside. When that happens, a ripple effect could take place. Ultimately, things could get a little messy. It is important to remember that messes can be good. If you are doing what you need to be when it comes to your business and chaos ensues, embrace it. The ability to focus intently on your One Thing and let the other chips fall where they may is a liberating experience and can grant you the freedom you need to achieve success.
Managing Your Energy
Working long into the night, skipping meals, and avoiding downtime may seem like the way to get things done. However, when you disregard your health, it can hinder your productivity. Health is everything, and if you run yourself ragged trying to get everything done, you’re not looking out for yourself. To achieve the success you want and live the life you’ve always dreamt of, you’ll need to take care of your body and mind. Listen to the body cues given to you. If you do this, you’ll be able to adjust the way you tackle your life in a way that provides you with both optimal emotional, physical, and mental health and professional success.
Taking Control of Your Environment
Having a supportive environment is everything. The world you create around you influences everything from how you act to your ability to focus. People are perhaps the most influential factor when it comes to your environment. If you find yourself surrounded by people who are not in your corner, you will have a difficult time when it comes to staying on task and focusing on your goals. Surround yourself with goal-oriented, positive, and supportive people, and you’ll be able to continue on the path towards achieving your One Thing.
If you can protect yourself against the four thieves of productivity, you can achieve anything.
Colin Bradford is a certified MAPS and The One Thing Coach.