FOUR HOUR ENTREPRENEUR #7
“Habits…the only reason they persist
is that they are offering some satisfaction…
You allow them to persist by not seeking any other,
better form of satisfying the same needs.
Every habit, good or bad, is acquired and learned
in the same way – by finding that it is a means of
satisfaction.”
- Juliene Berk
Hey there, it’s been a few weeks since the last issue and as
you may have noticed, a LOT has changed…
We’ve got a new website, new newsletter format and a new
publishing schedule — all designed so you can consume each
issue faster and easier than before.
Once you’ve read this issue hit me up on the blog with your
thoughts — I’ve got a copy of Mark Joyner’s “The Irresistible
Offer” for one lucky commenter.
OK let’s get started…
Last issue we were talking about the “big picture” things you
can do to overcome procrastination — having a clear vision,
building your confidence, and focusing on your core strengths.
Today I want to share some easy, practical, every day things
you can do to help keep you focused.
How to Overcome Procrastination – Day-to-Day Tips
1. Install RescueTime – http://www.rescuetime.com/
RescueTime — a free software app for Windows and Mac — monitors
which applications and websites you use.
At the end of the week it will give you a report showing your
efficiency, the average user’s efficiency, how many goals you
reached, and which sites/apps you spent the most time on.
Just knowing you’re being “watched” is a good motivator to focus
on productive activities — and the weekly score gives you a
target to aim for, each week trying to beat your score from
the previous week.
It’s an eye-opener to see the first week’s report and realize
how much time you really waste on things like email, forums and
instant messaging… sometime that’s all the “push” you need to
regain your focus.
2. Plan Your Day
When it’s work time, you need to be working, not thinking about
what to do.
(Separating work time and planning time is one of the keys to
peak productivity. And I’ve personally found the “need” to plan
one of my own procrastination triggers. The more you can separate
these activities the better.)
Each night I’ll write down 3-5 things I want to accomplish the
next day — these are my high-value activities for the day.
My ONLY goal for that day is to cross off each of those items.
Anything else that pops up — support issues, new opportunities, small fires etc — gets noted down and dealt with only after
my daily tasks are completed.
It’s a great feeling to cross off each item, and while 3-5 things
a day might not sound a lot you’re talking about well over 1000
high-value activities completed each year!
3. Use a Timer
This is a tip I picked up from the legendary copywriter Eugene
Schwartz. It’s had by far the biggest impact on my productivity
than anything else I’ve ever tried.
Eugene used to set a timer for 33:33, and during that time the
only thing he allowed himself to do was write.
No checking email… no getting a cup of coffee… no tidying
the desk… nothing but writing.
He would do just 4 of these 33:33 sessions each day.
And he got more done each day, in a little over 2 hours, than
most people did in an entire 8 hour day.
I like to set my timer for 45 minutes and and will do one
“session” for each of my 3-5 daily activities. It’s usually more
than enough time to make significant progress each day.
4. Unplug the Internet
Seriously, unplug the Internet!
Forums, email, youtube, instant messaging… they’re all
just a click away and unless you have amazing self-control
they’re almost impossible to ignore for any length of time.
Every time your brain is faced with an even slightly difficult
task it quickly looks for something easier to deal with — and
the Internet is like a playground for your brain… everything
is fun and there are few challenges.
Unplug the Internet during your peak performance times to
completely eliminate it as an option.
5. Develop New Habits
If procrastination has become a habit then you simply need to
replace it with a new and more productive habit.
How do you do this?
First you need to identify those times when you procrastinate –
catch yourself in the act and figure out what the “trigger” was.
What was the task you were about to do?
What was the decision you had to make?
What was it that caused you anxiety?
Note the trigger down.
Note it down each time it happens.
(The more aware you become of what triggers you to procrastinate,
the easier you’ll find it is to break the habit.)
When you catch yourself about to procrastinate, start
disciplining yourself.
Get back to basics and focus on making small consistent
incremental improvements, right away…
… set a timer and don’t get up until you’ve completed one of
your daily tasks…
… re-read your goals and get inspired — remember why you’re
doing this and what’s at stake…
… reward yourself if you can immediately focus on the task at
hand.
Each time you do this you re-enforce good habits.
Don’t focus on trying to be productive.
Don’t focus on trying to avoid procrastination.
Just focus on developing GOOD new habits.
They will naturally replace the bad habits and you’ll
automatically become more productive.
Now, by themselves, each of these tips might only be a small step
towards overcoming procrastination and becoming super-productive.
But if you use them together — and do it consistently — I
guarantee the combined effect will have a dramatic impact on
your business.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, hit me up with a comment below.
I’ve got a copy of Mark Joyner’s “The Irresistible Offer” for one lucky commenter.
Talk soon
Kyle
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome post Kyle!!
Going to try the timer trick from today! You rock mate!
Unplugging the internet is a good one too but I only sign
into instant messaging once in a while..I know how distracting
that can be.
Stuart Stirling
Hi Kyle,
Can’t say much other than that’s some incredible stuff there. Such simple techniques and yet so powerful. It really is all about taking yourself out of the avoidance cushion and making yourself aware of every decision you make that is not active, ie out of passivity or fear.
I especially like the timer technique — partly because it helps segment your day, but much moreso because it makes you keenly aware of what you should and should not be doing during those 45 minutes. I will be implementing that immediately.
Thanks for the tips,
Mike
Kyle,
I am constantly spinning my wheels so to speak.
I am trying hard but getting nothing accomplished.
Your tips on overcoming procrastination and just unplugging the internet while working
are very helpful.
Thanks,
Larry lee Bliss
Thanks guys, the timer is KILLER.
If you can get into the habit of using one it will revolutionize the way you work.
I use Apimac timer on my Mac – http://www.apimac.com/sw/timer.dmg – but there are similar programs available on Windows.
Hu Kyle
Glad I found you through James.Your $10 report has been well worth it!! I really like your ideas on procrastination. I had always thought it had a lot to do with lack of confidence and fear of failure.
I am sure it does at some level. All part of us getting tied up with the fact we “think” we are not good enough. I think this does happen with internet marketing when there are a number of new things and tasks to master….like research…..tech stuff……traffic……….sales……..marketing…….you name it. Plus of course information overload. Then the fear factor can start to set in. The reality is we all have to start somewhere. Something you mentioned in something else you wrote is to just get started and at least move on the path to creating your 10,000 hours as Malcolm Gladwell might say.
I have just really started my life on line in the last two years at the tender age of 50..the learning curve has been steep and yet what I have mastered in the last year or two astounds me…..and most other people so much so I am being asked for consultancy advice!….what me ?
So anything really is possible on a few hours a day.
Moving into consistent action makes a huge difference. Then when you look back everything is relative and you can see how far you have come. Its Monday morning here in the uk so I am going to focus on your 3-5 things for 45 minutes.
Take care and keep up these great posts
Best Wishes
Denise uk
Kyle -
Good stuff man. Very actionable. I already installed rescue me and sent my wife to the store for an egg timer this morning.
I am going to try to plan my day out and instead of doing 15-20 things on the list break it down to 3 to 5. Not to mention spend a certain amount of time on each of my money making activities.
Thanks for the great newsletter.
Tim
Kyle -
One thing I forgot on my last post was this – make sure you are doing things that are making you money. For instance if you find out you are surfing the web for 3 hours a day – that’s not making you any money. But if you were to take just an hour of that and apply it to info product creation or something like that in a year that would be over 300 hours towards a product or two or three.
Tim
@Tim Right on Tim, that’s where RescueTime comes in — you get a quick reality check of EXACTLY where you spend your time.
I remember the first week I had it installed, email and forums were making up about 50% of my time… but in my mind I was just checking them both “in between work”.
Re-direct that effort towards creating a product… setting up a JV… writing some copy… suddenly you’re cranking out new products every week.
@Denise That 10,000 hours is so important! But most people have 10,000 hours in reading information products and just a handful at actually IMPLEMENTING them.
The more you take action and the more experience you get — no matter how small — the more your confidence builds up, your skills build up, your relationships build up… suddenly you’re an “overnight” success.
Found another great piece of software to force some extra productivity out of me.
It’s called “Self Control” and, like Leechblock, it lets you block certain sites.
But this one is NASTY…
It works across all applications — So you can’t just open another web browser. Once you’ve set a time to block a site you can’t stop it — even restarting your computer won’t work.
It’s Mac-only and you can get it from here:
http://visitsteve.com/work/selfcontrol/
Hi Kyle,
great stuff to implement and use as a system! It is especially valuable for us, who work for ourselves and plan the time, tasks, next steps on our own:)
I will definitely use the rescuetime.com, is seems like a really cool motivator!
For me it works incredibly good apart from making the whole year plans, writing small ones, each evening for the next day and also to summarize what was accomplished the previous day.
Thanks once more.
Justyna