Want a productivity hack from a productivity guru that is guaranteed to help you make better use of your limited time and increase your profit as a result?

Yes!??

Well, I can’t promise that I’m afraid.

But I do have a good little tip that I’m convinced will help you get more done. 

It’s helped me.

It’s called ‘gaining momentum’.

It works like this:

 

Make a list for today (just today).

Write down what you need to do today.

Not every single thing that needs to get done this week.

Just a reasonable estimation of what you think you’ll be able to achieve.

And when I say write it down, actually write it down. Online to-do list tools are great but you can’t beat a bit of pen and paper.

Not only is it an opportunity to not look at a screen but as you’re writing the tasks out your brain will start to get thinking about what each one entails.

 

Add some small tasks

Even if none immediately come to mind, I’m sure you can come up with something.

Often all that’s on our to-do list is one or two big tasks. At least it often is for me.

The prospect of attempting to tackle one of these big tasks is often a big cause of procrastination.

You’re in this tension where it’s the only thing you need to do, you know you need to get it done, but you can’t help putting it off.  

A good way of getting a good run up is adding some smaller tasks.

It may be that you already have lots of little tasks to do. Great.

But even if you don’t, you could make something up. Even if it’s not super urgent.

And I’m not talking about breaking down the big task into lots of smaller manageable tasks, although that is a good thing to do.

Get one of the small things done.

Doing something completely unrelated to the bigger tasks is best.

When you get something unrelated done, there’s a greater sense that a completely unique task has been put to bed. Rather than just one part of a much bigger project.

Like completing the foothills of a much larger mountain.

So, get something done. Anything. Just get it done.

And don’t take too long about it.

 

Tick it off.

Once you’ve done it, tick it off your list.

Enjoy the simple pleasure of striking through your words.

Give it a scribble. Or a big, indulgent tick.

Whatever floats your boat.

 

Do another one.

It’s best if you do another one. Keep the momentum.

Find another small task to complete and get it done.

 

Tick it off.

Now two items on your homemade list are suitably defaced.

Your day is already starting to look a little more productive.

 

Feeling more motivated? 

Less overwhelmed by the enormity of the tasks that lie ahead?

With 2 tasks for the day already done, you’ve achieved something.

And you have a visual representation of that achievement. It doesn’t matter that it’s small.

There are few things more satisfying than putting a line through an item on a written to do list.

Hold onto that feeling. It will give you the momentum to tackle the next, bigger, more important tasks on your list.

 

This post was first featured in my newsletter, which goes out every other week.

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