 Today more than ever, many people feel they have so much to do and never enough time to get it all done. Yes, we know that many people are hitting huge goals, making massive strides in progress, and seem to be doing it with ease. We all know other people that seem to be just sliding along laterally, making little to no headway towards their objectives, and they are getting more and more frustrated. What is the difference? We all have the same 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. What is the difference between the person that is moving the needle consistently and the other person that seems to be stuck in the mud? The answer lies in their productivity strategies. The high performers have very specific productivity habits and strategies that help them make insane progress and yet do it sanely! I am sure you are asking yourself what those secrets are. Well, you are in luck. I am going to share them with you! Productivity Strategy #1: Increase the Outputs that Matter High performers realize that we are all inundated with information, marketing messages, and distractions. On top of that, they have realized that if they don’t have the ability to focus on what really matters, they will never hit their targets. High performers are diligent about figuring out what numbers they need to pay attention to, what skills they need to develop, and what their top priorities are. We call them your vital functions, vital metrics, vital improvements, and vital priorities. Your vital functions are the 3 more important things you do that move the needle closer to your goals. Your vital metrics are the 3 most important numbers you need to pay attention to in your business, academics, etc. Your vital improvements are the top 3 skills you need to improve and eventually master so you can be extremely effective in your endeavor. Lastly, your vital priorities are the top 3 priorities that need to be done each day, week, and month so you stay on track. Notice that we never go above 3 with any of these categories. Why? Because, as Tony Robbins says, “Complexity is the enemy of execution.” If you don’t have clarity on your goals, your reasons why, and your top actions, you will never make progress. What happens when we are not sure what to do? Most people do nothing! They get overwhelmed with all the confusion, so instead of doing the hard work to figure it out, they head to the couch, watch Netflix, and sip on a beer. Of course, I am not talking about you – just other people! :) What can a lion tamer point an upside-down stool at a lion and the lion does not attack? The answer is because the lion interprets the 4 legs of the stool as 4 separate threats that could attack at any time. So, the lion does nothing because he cannot focus on one threat at a time. We are the same way. What are your outputs that matter? Do you have clarity? If not, grab a note pad and get to work! Productivity Strategy #2: Chart Your 5 Moves This is a great strategy to simply your action plan and get you taking the actions you need to in order to achieve your big goals. Ask yourself this question, “If there were only 5 major moves to make that goal happen, what would they be?” Neil Armstrong, the first man to make it to the moon, said getting to the moon is a matter of 2 simple steps. Number one is figuring out how to get there, and number two is figuring out how to get back. Simple, right! Not really, but making the process simple in your head, makes it easier to begin working on that project. The key is to break up the project into deliverables, deadlines, and activities. Then put them in your calendar and get to work! Productivity Strategy #3: Get Insanely Good at Key Skills The late, great author, Jim Rohn, says “to have more, you must become more.” Understanding that success is not something you pursue, it is something you attract by becoming an attractive person. How do you become an attractive person that attracts success. Jim also says the key to life change is not motivation, it is education. If you have an idiot and you motivate him, you now have a motivated idiot who is more of a danger to himself and others! Not good! It starts with education! Determine the 5 major skills you need to develop over the next 3 years to grow into the person you want to become. Then set out to develop those skills with obsessive focus through the 10 steps of progressive mastery. Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, Pat Riley, says that you are either getting better or you are getting worse. There is no staying at the same level. The answer is to be obsessive about learning the most vital skills that will allow you to hit your goal and grow your business. How do you do that? Easy! Focus on a few strategies.
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