I get pumped just thinking about you taking control of your time and habits.
That said, to create a feeling of order and success — to shift your habits and make progress every day towards your goals — you need to stop doing certain things, PRONTO.
If any part of you hopes for better results, commit to STOP taking part in these five common ways, we give up our power.
#1: Stop The Notifications
Seriously, it’s time to turn off the notifications—all of them. They are stripping you of focus and clarity, not to mention draining you of energy.
Don’t think you’ll leave your email, IG, or news notifications on…but won’t look at them.
No one believes that, not even you. The easiest thing to do is not have distractions in the first place.
You are an adult, and it is in your control to stop this behavior now.
So right now, go onto your Settings on your phone, watch, and laptop, and turn those brain and focus suckers off.
#2: Stop Starting and Not Finishing
You know how you can be busy all day long and still feel like you got nothing done?
A usual suspect is starting a task but not taking the last step to finish it.
Instead, spend the 10-60 seconds it will take you to finish the job.
If you respond to an email, take a few seconds to drag it into a folder or tag it with a label.
When you fill out a form, take the extra 30 seconds to grab a folder and file the paper away.
Half a minute is the difference between clutter piling up and feeling accomplished.
#3: Stop Falling Into Email
You have 20 minutes in between meetings, so what do you do? Check email.
Your 1:30 appointment was canceled at the last minute, so what do you do? Fall into email.
You have three high-priority projects but see white space on your calendar, so what do you do? You guessed it. Get sucked into email.
Stop that. Now, please.
Instead, schedule specific times to check and respond to emails, like 20 minutes after each hour of other work.
That way, you know you’ll be checking your email soon enough, but you don’t need to check it every 47 seconds.
#4: Stop Being Still
If you’re sitting at your desk for four hours priding yourself on being super productive, think again.
Your brain and body need a break.
If you’re not moving for hours, I guarantee you’re finding ample ways to waste time or simply not work as efficiently as you can.
Take at least five to ten minutes every 60-90 minutes to walk, fill up your water bottle, or do some jumping jacks.
Activity will reenergize you, reengage you in your task at hand, and simply make you happier.
#5: Stop Thinking You’ll Remember
Every now and then, something falls through the cracks.
Sometimes, it’s nonconsequential, like forgetting to pick up batteries while you were at the store.
Sometimes it’s embarrassing, like showing up at an event without your tickets.
Sometimes, it makes you look bad, like bringing one copy of a document to a meeting instead of the three you needed.
It’s frustrating when you forget to do, make, buy, dispose, attach, create, or simply think about something you were supposed to do.
Stop relying on your memory.
Get as much out of your head and on paper or digitally as possible.
Releasing all your thoughts leaves space for exploration, strategy, planning, and creativity.
So, there you have it. Five things you should stop doing right now so you stay focused, achieve your goals, and squash overwhelm.
Which one will you commit to doing right now?
You have so much brilliance to share in the world.
Don’t let self-sabotaging habits derail your happiness or success.
With love,
Mridu
P.S. Ready to go from learning productivity tips to truly implementing them daily? Here’s how:
Let’s discuss one-to-one coaching to help you master all your demands. Schedule a time here.
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