It’s Wednesday already and you haven’t accomplished nearly as much as you’ve hoped to. It’s another one of those weeks.
You’ve have a long to-do list, a million ideas, and big plans for saving the world, yet all that seems to be happening is, well, not much.
It doesn’t have to be this way, superhero. You can get through your to-do list, execute your million ideas, and save the world. To do it, however, you need a new strategy.
Start with one thing
The simplest trick for getting more done is to pick one thing, focus on it, and get it done before you move on.
For creative world-changers like you, the quantity of ideas you have overwhelms your brain. If you try to do it all simultaneously, you get nothing done. I see it all the time with my clients, and I do it sometimes, too.
Trying to do too much at once stops anything from happening. Take charge and pick one thing to work on. When you focus, you can get a lot done a lot more quickly than you realize.
Put it to work right now
Start getting things done right now.
1. Make a list of everything you want to do, from cleaning your car to getting 1000 newsletter subscribers.
2. Pick one thing to work on right now. It can be the most fun, the easiest, the most urgent, the most challenging, the one that keeps nagging you, or the one that will give you the greatest sense of satisfaction to accomplish. It doesn’t matter, but you must pick.
3. Work on that one thing. Stop when it’s done or when you’re tired. Finish it.
If you find that while working on that one thing you get distracted and want to work on something else, stop. Add that bright shiny idea to the list you complied in Step 1. Resume working on your one thing. Finish it.
4. Once your one thing is done, move onto the next one thing. Finish. Repeat.
You can do this, superhero. Focus and you’ll get more done than you ever imagined possible.
What one thing are you going to focus on today, this week, or this month? Share your goals in the comments below.
Hi, Jenny,
I have been doing this for the last 2 weeks, ever since our Super Group calls started and you recommended this technique.
It really works! I’ve gotten more done and, best of all, been calmer and more focused mentally.
Thanks for the great tip!
Sue
So glad to hear it’s working for you, Sue! When I remember to do this, it works wonders for me, too.
Jenny! Thank you for this post. I’m having one of those weeks and I’m just swamped. Thanks for reminding me I can do it! Big hug!
Yes, Laura. You can do it! We’ve all got the same 24 hours, so just focus on one thing at a time and move through it.
You can also borrow the mantra I use on busy days: “Everything that needs to get done will get done when it needs to be done.”
Jenny, your post today caught my attention–so pertinent and spot on. I’m working on keeping the focus while still being flexible, even when schedule changes and other unexpected events arise. I borrow that same mantra often!
Great, Sandy! Happy you got what you needed to day. I like flexibility + focus, too. Sometimes it’s easier to do it than other times.
Thanks Jenny! I’ve been having a hard time focusing lately and this post has kept me on track.
Yay for FOCUS!