Tips for a Productive Life
Success doesn’t always conform to a schedule; it rarely takes a straight path. You have to work for it. If you know your ultimate goal and have a clear vision and strategy moving forward, you can make a surprising amount of progress in just a few months. Creating a more productive life for yourself can quickly propel you into a more fulfilling existence, professionally and personally.
Write a Vision for Your Life
Many people know what they’re working toward, but they’re spinning their wheels. This illusion of progress can happen when you become preoccupied with minute details, routines that lose relevance through mindless repetition or the lack of a sense of the big picture. The spinning of one’s wheels can be avoided by starting with where you want to end in clear focus. This vision will include how you want each day to look, how you aspire to feel, and even how you’d like to spend your free time. Post this vision statement where you’ll see it often (e.g., at your desk, on your refrigerator, on your bathroom mirror).
Analyze and Edit Your Narrative
Analyze all aspects of your current life and determine what helps move you forward and what’s holding you back. You only have so much energy; don’t waste it on unnecessary or dead-end activities, especially unhealthy ones. This is your story and you’re the author.
Let go of toxic people in your life who you may be obstructing your progress. These people often have a crab mentality, also referred to as “crabs in the bucket.” These terms come from how crabs in a bucket respond to one crab that’s attempting to crawl to freedom. The other crabs will try to pull the potential escapee back in. These undermining crabs ultimately seal the fate of the group. Like crabs, some people generally feel that if they can’t succeed, no one else should. You should avoid them.
Make a Space of Your Own
To thrive, people often need to take ownership of the space in which they operate. Create an area where you love spending time. Wherever it is, clear the clutter, and feel comfortable working in the area. Cultivate this area to motivate you to be your best you.
Work Toward Something Each Day
Multitasking may seem like a good idea at the time, but it rarely results in more productivity. Instead of finishing tasks, you’re continually working on something; several things are always hanging over your head. While it’s necessary to accomplish something every day, you can focus better on the ultimate goal by working on one project at a time. Take care of the small, menial tasks as soon as possible every day so that you can focus on the things that matter and will push you towards a productive life. If you feel more creative first thing in the morning, you might want to start with your primary work while you’re feeling fresh.
Use Past Mistakes as a Guide
Mistakes aren’t pleasant by any means, but they’re only a setback when you fail to learn from them. Sometimes a mistake can take you where you never thought you’d go, making you even more successful than you would’ve been. Appreciate the risk you took and move forward. Continue trying new things and taking risks. As you advance, keep in mind what works and doesn’t work for you.
Choose What’s Worth the Challenge
You might feel overwhelmed by all your life goals in addition to your current battles. Choose what’s most important to you and what’s worth devoting your hard work. Narrowing the list will allow you to focus on what’s valuable to you.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
As anxiety-provoking as it can be, you must occasionally step out of your comfort zone to grow as a person. Try to embrace the feelings of fear by acknowledging that it’s proof of your personal growth. By doing this, you can create beyond yourself.
To get where you’re trying to go, you must first know where you are in life and where you’ve been. Having a handle on both your past and present will more likely result in a brighter future and productive life.
