Keys to Productivity

   How many times have you decided to procrastinate work that needs to be done around the house to sit on the couch to watch television? If you said “not me” then you are not telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Everybody has done this. I have been especially guilty during July and August here in Las Vegas when it gets extremely hot in the summer. Anyone that says they haven’t procrastinated at least once doesn’t know the definition.

The opposite of procrastination is productivity.

   I was at a party recently when my cousin mentioned to her friend that she never watched movies, and the friend said she felt unproductive when she did that. Amen sister! I couldn’t agree more because I need to feel productive each day or I am unfulfilled. My day starts by opening my journal and seeing what I have in store for me that day. Then I begin attacking it.

   When you aren’t productive during the day you fail to reach your potential. Each day that goes by where you don’t meet your potential is one day wasted. Add those days up and they become months and years WASTED! Whenever you don’t do what needs to be done each day you hold yourself back because now the stuff that didn’t get done today is added to tomorrows stuff. If you have to play catch up it keeps you from moving forward.

   One of the keys to productivity is to finish your to do list. One reason people get down on themselves is because they take thirty minutes to create a ten item list and do just four things. That is discouraging. When you make a to do list make sure each item can be done that day. Then make it your mission to complete it no matter what. Develop the habit of doing this each day and you will be more productive than ever.

   Another key is if television or video games are your problem then do something valuable instead. Read a book, take a walk, call family, or something else that will inspire you. Most people get bored and turn the TV on instead of opening a book. Don’t let this be you anymore. Instead of grabbing the remote and plopping on the couch start doing something that is going to help you make life changes.

   The third key is that once you have your goals written down you work towards them each day. It can be baby steps, but there should be progress. Your work during the day needs to point you towards your goals. When you add this discipline you will start to see your goals on the horizon and you will gain so much from becoming the person who could accomplish them.

   When you are productive it eliminates unwanted stress. How do you feel when you lack productivity? Usually not very good because you just put it off to whenever you decide to get around to it. Lack of productivity at work can get you fired, and lack of productivity in your personal life can lead to frustration, anxiety, and sadness.

   Today make a to do list and complete each item on it. Start small. Wait until you see what that small accomplishment does for your confidence. Daily productivity is a big step in making life changes. If you have the philosophy of procrastination then change it. You can do it! Make the decision to make each day as productive as you can. Nothing should stop you!