“You don’t actually do a project; you can only do action steps related to it. When enough of the right action steps have been taken, some situation will have been created that matches your initial picture of the outcome closely enough that you can call it “done.” – David Allen
Getting things done boosts your confidence and inspires you to take on the next task. But looking at a big project can be intimidating. Which in turn triggers procrastination as we wonder where to begin?
One way to get started is to divide your projects into long and short-term goals, then break down the short-term goals into daily small tasks you can do in batches. Also referred to as eating the Elephant one bite at a time, this hack reduces the overwhelm. In case you are feeling some type of way about the thought of eating an Elephant, relax. I come from Kenya, East Africa and we have many Elephants, but I never heard of one being eaten. So read on…
A 3-Step Tip To Boost Your Productivity.
OK, this is going to sound so simple, you may be tempted to ignore it and keep looking for “THE” sophisticated productivity secret to getting more done. But as I like to say, sometimes it’s the simple things we ignore that bring quick tangible results. Here are the 3 steps:
- Set a kitchen clock or timer for 25 minutes.
- Focus on ONE task until the alarm goes off.
- Take a small break and reward yourself.
The reward can be patting yourself on the back, a short walk/stretch, a healthy snack or drink. It can also be a quick social media check-in on your favorite cat video page :-), a moment of mindful deep breathing, or whatever floats your boat.
After the 5-minute break, set the timer again and work on the next single task. Repeat the process and watch your momentum gather as you tick things off and achieve your goals with ease.
This simple hack is called the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. And it works if you work it. Use it and boost your productivity.
Originally published at www.nagasuccess.com