Fit for Life: Want to Be Productive? …Here's How

Fit for Life: Want to Be Productive? …Here's How

How many things have you been "meaning" to do, yet they never get done because you keep procrastinating and kicking the can down the road?

Personally, I currently have a few, and it annoys the hell out of me when another week goes by and things don't get done.

 

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I have every intention, and these things go through my head daily, yet they never get accomplished. 

 

Why does this happen to us, and what do we need to do to avoid it? It not only stresses us out but also discourages and frustrates us when we don't get to the things we intend to do. 

We keep going through this vicious cycle for several reasons, and it's NOT because we don't have the time. 

 

When you say, "I don't have the time," it means it's not a priority, and you haven't been intentional enough, or we are not in enough pain or under enough pressure. 

Let's go with the lack of priority situation. If it's not a priority, it doesn't get done!!

How many times have you had a bill due yet waited until the last minute to pay it? It's not that you don't have the money; it's that you won't get penalized until it's late. Therefore, it becomes a priority a few days before the due date. 

 

You have no pressure or sense of urgency until the last minute. 

Many people "want" to get in better shape and lose weight, yet they never take that first step and start a program UNTIL they go to a doctor and are told they are a health risk and a liability to their family. 

 

Then, the pain of an untimely death or sickness sinks in, and they get started. 

These are the things that create priorities and force people to take action. Pain & fear. 

So, how do we get tasks done that aren't urgent or cause pain? 

You shouldn't wait until you are forced to do something because doing so will result in penalties or tragic repercussions. 

 

There is a better way to accomplish what you want to do without putting yourself in a do-or-die situation: to be intentional, focused, and dialed in.  

 

Someone once said to me, "If it's not on your calendar, you're full of shit." Now, that sounds crass and harsh; however, I have found it accurate over the years. 

 

When you make a doctor's or hair appointment, the first thing you do is add it to your calendar. It would be a disaster to miss either one of those appointments. 

 

To take it a step further, when you attend these commitments, you immediately book another appointment before you leave. You are intentionally making sure you attend these appointments. 

 

For weeks, I have wanted to update my personal website. It was not a life-or-death situation, nor was it a big priority for me until I came across an opportunity to write for a national publication. 

I still don't need to do this. However, it will make me look more professional and credible when it gets updated. 

 

So what did I do? I stopped talking and thinking about it and made an appointment in my calendar to meet with a web designer. Now, it will be done within a couple of weeks. 

It's not that I didn't have the time; I just wasn't intentional enough about getting it done. 

When someone wants to make a plan, don't just make a verbal commitment like "Let's get lunch sometime"; get out your calendar and set a date. If you don't, the months will go by without going to lunch. (how many times has this happened to you?)

 

Sticky notes work well, too. When I have a list of priorities I need to accomplish, I make daily post-it note reminders and stick them to the keyboard on my computer. When I look at all the tasks I completed that day, I feel accomplished and relieved. 

It's not a matter of ability or whether you are capable because we are all capable of doing great things for ourselves and others; it's a matter of focus and how dialed in we are or how intentional we try to be. 

 

This rule of thumb goes with everything from starting a workout program to meeting friends for dinner and everything in between. When you add these things to your calendar, you will most likely accomplish them. 

 

If you are having trouble getting to the gym, block out a time and put it on your calendar. 

If you have projects to do around the house, do the same. 

 

Remember, we all have the same amount of time during the week, but what makes some people more productive and accomplished than others is their level of focus and intentionality. 

Take some stress off your plate, start being intentional, and prioritize what's important. You will be amazed at the sense of gratification that comes with productivity. 

 

Committed to your success,

Coach Matt