Post by The Dan on Oct 9, 2015 11:27:48 GMT 12
What does it mean to be "productive"?
- it's about a ratio of energy vs results/outcomes - to be productive means that that effort you put in is getting positive, meaningful results
- improvement by at least 1%
- measurable outcomes that relate to your values and goals
- increasing productivity means reducing effort while increasing or maintaining results
- it's all about finding minimum effort
- counterproductive means putting in effort and making things worse (i.e. you'd be better off doing nothing), for example: overdoing things at the gym and injuring yourself, causing you to miss two weeks of exercise
How do we measure productivity?
- make mistakes - it's crucial that we make mistakes and learn from them through accurate measurement
- accuracy is important, the measurements must be reliable and valid (i.e. how you 'feel' is not an accurate measure of health, whereas your body-fat index, sugar intake and strength are)
- we need a plan, with specific process-focused goals - get your copy of The Legendary Life if you haven't already, in order to put your Master Plan together - www.amazon.com/gp/product/099634022X
- do your research - how have proven experts in your field of interest measured productivity in the area you're focusing on? What does the latest in scientific research tell us?
- establish a baseline measurement - you must know what you started with as something to compare to
- use scientific method, by starting with a hypothesis, testing it, and measuring the results, as demonstrated through the 3X Model - brojo.freeforums.net/thread/4/brojo-3x-model-explained
What interferes with productivity?
- trying to copy what someone else does, particularly when they are not a proven expert in their field e.g. a friend - productivity is about what works specifically for YOU
- distractions - we set ourselves up to be distracted due to fear of success (fear of the unknown). Things like Facebook are psychologically designed to steal your attention. Anything that can steal your focus is a distraction
- incongruent goals - aiming for something you don't actually want deep down, or not knowing WHY you have the goals (i.e. no link to values)
- information overload - getting stuck in the Explore Phase without taking action
- Shiny Object Syndrome - again becoming Explore-stuck by constantly starting new things instead of finishing tasks - often we lie to ourselves and say we're "multitasking", which is not actually possible as there is only one point of attention
- procrastination - fear of failure and success makes us put off what is important and get busy with unimportant bullshit
- avoiding discomfort
- Problem with Instant Gratification (PIG) - trying to feel good right now instead of focusing on what will feel good long-term
- too much reflection - spending too much time measuring and considering results, rather than briefly reviewing the information and then planning your next action
- overwhelm - looking at big tasks and giving up, instead of breaking them down into small actions
- dependence - relying on something or someone else in order to do the task (e.g. good weather, gym buddy, results etc)
- perfectionism - not starting or finishing because you think it needs to be completely perfect, instead of treating everything as an experiment/draft
- lacking boundaries so that other people can interfere
- focusing on results rather than process (you will always 'fail' eventually, which will kill motivation if you are attached to results but has no effect if you are focused on processes and learning)
How do we increase productivity?
- prioritising by following the 80/20 Pareto Principle - see here: www.theinspirationallifestyle.com/how-to-be-happier-using-the-pareto-principle/
- reduce 'noise' - whatever activities/tasks do not have a significant impact on your goals and values should be minimised, delegated or removed completely
- set boundaries with people close to you in a way that will make them support you rather than sabotage you (e.g. "I'm trying to quit drinking because it's harming my health, it would be really helpful if you give me shit if I try to have a drink) - check out this article on giving feedback - www.theinspirationallifestyle.com/giving-feedback-without-creating-enemies-re-define-honesty/
- The Big Ugly Frog - identifying the most important and high-impact task of the day and doing it FIRST
- experimentation - constantly testing a new idea to become more productive - each day asking yourself "What is one thing I could do today to increase my productivity?"
- figure out the Maximum Efficiency Point (MEP) for any given activity - i.e. what is the most you can do to be productive before extra effort becomes pointless or counterproductive? - Tim Ferriss books are great for more on this
- aim to constantly be at student/beginner level. Being the big fish in a small pond creates complacency - keep levelling up and surrounding yourself with people who are better at it than you
- use the concept of Quantum Parts to break down big overwhelming goals and tasks into tiny manageable pieces - brojo.freeforums.net/thread/47/quantum-parts-27-august - build up Wins one at a time
- create a morning routine that clears up yesterday and sets you up for today
- reward yourself with distractions, but make yourself earn them first (e.g. you can indulge in Facebook but only after you have completed the Big Ugly Frog activity)
- it's about a ratio of energy vs results/outcomes - to be productive means that that effort you put in is getting positive, meaningful results
- improvement by at least 1%
- measurable outcomes that relate to your values and goals
- increasing productivity means reducing effort while increasing or maintaining results
- it's all about finding minimum effort
- counterproductive means putting in effort and making things worse (i.e. you'd be better off doing nothing), for example: overdoing things at the gym and injuring yourself, causing you to miss two weeks of exercise
How do we measure productivity?
- make mistakes - it's crucial that we make mistakes and learn from them through accurate measurement
- accuracy is important, the measurements must be reliable and valid (i.e. how you 'feel' is not an accurate measure of health, whereas your body-fat index, sugar intake and strength are)
- we need a plan, with specific process-focused goals - get your copy of The Legendary Life if you haven't already, in order to put your Master Plan together - www.amazon.com/gp/product/099634022X
- do your research - how have proven experts in your field of interest measured productivity in the area you're focusing on? What does the latest in scientific research tell us?
- establish a baseline measurement - you must know what you started with as something to compare to
- use scientific method, by starting with a hypothesis, testing it, and measuring the results, as demonstrated through the 3X Model - brojo.freeforums.net/thread/4/brojo-3x-model-explained
What interferes with productivity?
- trying to copy what someone else does, particularly when they are not a proven expert in their field e.g. a friend - productivity is about what works specifically for YOU
- distractions - we set ourselves up to be distracted due to fear of success (fear of the unknown). Things like Facebook are psychologically designed to steal your attention. Anything that can steal your focus is a distraction
- incongruent goals - aiming for something you don't actually want deep down, or not knowing WHY you have the goals (i.e. no link to values)
- information overload - getting stuck in the Explore Phase without taking action
- Shiny Object Syndrome - again becoming Explore-stuck by constantly starting new things instead of finishing tasks - often we lie to ourselves and say we're "multitasking", which is not actually possible as there is only one point of attention
- procrastination - fear of failure and success makes us put off what is important and get busy with unimportant bullshit
- avoiding discomfort
- Problem with Instant Gratification (PIG) - trying to feel good right now instead of focusing on what will feel good long-term
- too much reflection - spending too much time measuring and considering results, rather than briefly reviewing the information and then planning your next action
- overwhelm - looking at big tasks and giving up, instead of breaking them down into small actions
- dependence - relying on something or someone else in order to do the task (e.g. good weather, gym buddy, results etc)
- perfectionism - not starting or finishing because you think it needs to be completely perfect, instead of treating everything as an experiment/draft
- lacking boundaries so that other people can interfere
- focusing on results rather than process (you will always 'fail' eventually, which will kill motivation if you are attached to results but has no effect if you are focused on processes and learning)
How do we increase productivity?
- prioritising by following the 80/20 Pareto Principle - see here: www.theinspirationallifestyle.com/how-to-be-happier-using-the-pareto-principle/
- reduce 'noise' - whatever activities/tasks do not have a significant impact on your goals and values should be minimised, delegated or removed completely
- set boundaries with people close to you in a way that will make them support you rather than sabotage you (e.g. "I'm trying to quit drinking because it's harming my health, it would be really helpful if you give me shit if I try to have a drink) - check out this article on giving feedback - www.theinspirationallifestyle.com/giving-feedback-without-creating-enemies-re-define-honesty/
- The Big Ugly Frog - identifying the most important and high-impact task of the day and doing it FIRST
- experimentation - constantly testing a new idea to become more productive - each day asking yourself "What is one thing I could do today to increase my productivity?"
- figure out the Maximum Efficiency Point (MEP) for any given activity - i.e. what is the most you can do to be productive before extra effort becomes pointless or counterproductive? - Tim Ferriss books are great for more on this
- aim to constantly be at student/beginner level. Being the big fish in a small pond creates complacency - keep levelling up and surrounding yourself with people who are better at it than you
- use the concept of Quantum Parts to break down big overwhelming goals and tasks into tiny manageable pieces - brojo.freeforums.net/thread/47/quantum-parts-27-august - build up Wins one at a time
- create a morning routine that clears up yesterday and sets you up for today
- reward yourself with distractions, but make yourself earn them first (e.g. you can indulge in Facebook but only after you have completed the Big Ugly Frog activity)