For me, getting stuff done is all about lists. I make lists for everything, but my main list is about my goals. If you want to be successful in life you need goals that you can articulate and act upon. Completing these tasks aligned with your goals will provide all the motivation you need and make you a winner in life.
Setting Goals
When setting goals, be specific. Make a list of 5-10 goals you want to accomplish within the next week to 1 year. All goals should be achievable within 1 year or less.
When you are done, select one as your most important big goal. This should jump off the page at you. Look at the list and decide which one goal would have the most significant impact on my life. This one thing becomes your special purpose. Of all the lists you may juggle, this is the one you focus on daily.
Take this one goal and brainstorm. Make another list of at least 25 items that must be achieved to attain this goal. Brainstorming means writing down everything that pops into your mind – no matter how insignificant.
Dig deep because coming up with 25 items will be difficult. Your mind has all the answers, but you must dig deep to find them. And it’s often the ideas that are deeper and harder to get at that will provide that light bulb moment and give you that one actionable item that will make all the difference in the world.
You can and should go through this brainstorming process for the goals you came up with that are essential to you. But there will always be that one special goal that should garner most of your attention and focus.
Stay Focused
I have a daily to-do list with many items. Some are inconsequential menial tasks that must get done, but the vast majority of tasks on this list come directly from the goal items above. These are items or steps I’ve identified as required to make progress on my big goal. I revisit the list multiple times a day to remain focused.
I constantly reorder and prioritize the list as the situation changes and as tasks are completed. I try to focus on my one special goal and make continual progress towards that goal.
Identify Difficult Tasks
When working with goals and lists, we occasionally get bogged down and don’t seem to be making much progress. If you’ve been looking at your list for several days or weeks and the lack of progress is beginning to weigh on you, look for that one item holding you back.
Sometimes, it’s an item on the list that you are trying to avoid, and it’s holding up progress on your larger goals. If you are a procrastinator like me, find that one item you are avoiding. Once you identify it and admit to yourself you have been avoiding it, jump on it. Muster up the resolve and start working on that item immediately without any thoughts to the contrary. Just start it and things will begin to flow.
Other times, you may get stuck on an item or step because it’s too complex. The remedy for this situation is crystal clear: Break down that item into smaller, more actionable steps.
Your ability to identify specific items that are limiting your progress is a direct measure of your competence. Getting past and conquering these difficult tasks will provide you with a boost of motivation and confidence that you can then carry over to other tasks, thereby accelerating your overall progress.
KEY POINT: The ability to identify items that are restricting your progress and then tackle these problematic tasks without hesitation and with high intensity will have the greatest impact on your success in achieving goals.
Just Start
If you’re having problems getting focused, just start. Act quickly; don’t think about it; just start. For example, if you have to write a report you’ve been dreading, just start writing. Get in front of a keyboard and start tapping keys, and then key tapping keys. It will come easier than you thought, and your task anxiety will dissipate with every word you type.
Reward Yourself
Reward yourself by completing tasks and making progress. The benefits are manifested consciencely and subconsciously. You will begin to look forward to the actual reward and your brain will release endorphins as your approach and reach task completion. You will feel a sense of relief and accomplishment that will motivate you on future tasks.
Take Breaks
Breaks can be a reward for completing tasks. But even if you don’t use breaks as a reward, they are essential to avoid burnout and stay focused.
Positive Inner Voice
Even when you fall short of expectations, don’t be too hard on yourself. It happens to all of us. The best thing to do is get back on your horse, complete the current or next task as soon as possible, and get those endorphins flowing again.
Remove Distractions
Eliminate anything that distracts you from your objectives. Checking your email and phone is the ultimate distraction. The average person checks their email and phone 100 times a day—turn it off, or at least silence it, and force yourself to focus by whatever means works best for you.
If I’m about to begin work on an important task, I eliminate all possible audible distractions. I mute my cell phone and computer, and allot 15-30 minutes of uninterrupted deep work, focused on one task.
Plan Your Day in Advance
At some point near the end of your workday, think about and plan what you will focus on tomorrow. Perhaps this means reordering and reprioritizing your list one final time. You will leave work and arrive home more relaxed. You will sleep more soundly. The subconscious mind is a powerful thing, and it’s likely that you awaken with new, fresh ideas on how to tackle the day ahead.
Conclusion
Set goals that are important to you. Stay focused on your most important goal. Take action every day towards your special goal. Draw motivation and gain confidence from completing important tasks along the way. Winning in life is the direct result of task completion.