What's Your Greatest Productivity Secret?

It's funny how the world works - giving you what you need instead of what you think you want.

First, you take a shot to the left jaw and you see stars. Then, in a flash, the second part of the 1-2 punch lands on the right jaw...and NOW we've got your attention.

Friday, I took the first hit.

A book arrived that my...

friend Mark Hendricks recommended called, The 4-Hour Workweek. Talk about a title that speaks to me!

So, I dived in. Even in the introduction, I'm blown away by the accomplishments of the author and 29-year old master, Tim Ferris. On every page that follows, I recognize that I'm busy, not productive, or doing what he calls "work for work's sake".

I hate that. I like to think I'm a systems guy - someone who can figure out a problem and put in a solution that efficiently accomplishes the task with minimal effort.

But efficiency, the author points out, is not effectiveness. OUCH! That stung...

The question, he points out, is not how can I solve this problem, but what happens if I ignore this problem? Is it worth trading my time for?

As I'm reeling from the first realization of how ineffective I tend to be in my quest for efficiency, I get a note from another friend, Roger Carr at the Everyday Giving Blog, who has tagged me in an ongoing blog project to "Describe my single most effective productivity tactic..."

That's the second blow in the 1-2 punch

After a 24-hour sprint to Atlanta to have a little fun with two of my children and my grandson who were in town, it became very apparent to me that I do a terrible job of having fun!

Yet, that's my primary goal in life: Have fun.

To this point, I've not accomplished that because I have a deep belief that fun has to be purchased - you know, "When I get enough money, I can relax and THEN I'll have fun doing..."

Seriously wrong thinking!

Above my door that leads to the deck that overlooks a stream in the middle of the north Alabama woods (sounds like fun already, right?) is a sign with one word painted in huge letters: Simplify!

Tim Ferris, the author of The 4-Hour Workweek, says doing less is the key to accomplishing more.

Better read that again:

Doing less is the key to accomplishing more...

How's that for a paradox? But I know in my heart it's the truth. And I plan to do less, not more, and be much more effective in those things I do.

Including having fun!

This was not the first time I've heard this refrain. My friend Mark Hendricks, who I'm tagging by the way to carry on this productivity exposition, calls this process The Real Secret. You can view the video he uses to explain it here.

And I'm also going to drag Alan Bechtold into this as well.

Why?

Alan, who writes a weekly Ezine called the E-Wealth Report and continues to amaze me with all the irons he has in the fire including his recently launched Big Ass Profits TV, seems to be a master at balancing work and life, while remaining true to himself.

Somehow, I think that holds a key to being more productive AND effective.

Can't wait to see how they answer the question: What's your greatest productivity secret?

Comments

[HP van Duuren]

Thanks for the great post,

It's totally in alignment with my own 'Happy Lifestyle philosophy', I don't think that people are meant to be heading to 'Karoshi' or 'Death by Work', as the Japanese call it.(they actually have a word for it!)

I think that in my sales work people usually are more inclined to buy from me when I am relaxed, and also feel that I am more able to create other leads for other sales that way also.

To relax and have a 'Fun Time' I recently went to Gran Canaria even made a 'YouTube Movie' titled: 'Jogging on Gran Canaria' I think that only looking at some of the photo's can give you an instant 'Relax-response' by just looking at it. Hopefully it will be inspiring to 'connect' and realise the things that are real important.

[Linda]

I think business thinks a 50 hour week is more appropriate, but 4 is enough for me. I am only productive in the morning anyway.

[Roger Carr]

Wow David! You exceeded my challenge. I have again learned a valuable truth from your post. Simplicity is something I need to strive for as well. Guess who else will be buying and reading the book? Great job and thanks for responding to the challenge.
Roger

[Alan R. Bechtold]

David -- thanks for "tagging" me! I have ONE really solid secret for productivity I lovingly refer to as "hanging it out there."

As a writer, editor and publisher for more than 40 years, I've found I don't get ANYTHING much done without a deadline. As the term implies, this is a "drop-dead" date when any project must be done. Period.

When you work with commercial publishers, you get a deadline set for you. When you work on your own, you have to set your own. But you need to set your deadlines PUBLICLY, forcing you to make those deadlines you've set a priority.

One of my neatest tricks for this is the "Pre-Publication" sale.

Whenever I'm working on a new course, a newsletter or any new product. I will usually pre-announce it. Give my list a description of what I am putting together and ask them to vote with their wallets, paying 50% of the final price as a "pre-publication" discount, and promising delivery on a date down the road.

This, naturally, becomes a real deadline I must meet. It also enables me to "test the waters," and see if anyone is interested in what I plan to create, BEFORE I create it.

There is NO motivator in the world better than people already paying you money to create something, and expecting delivery on a pre-determined date!

A deadline also brings an abupt end to "change-itis" -- tinkering with a sales letter or product until you beat the life out of it, simply because you can. When the deadline hits, good has to be good enough -- and I've always found it is!

To balance your life, you need to set similar deadlines with your family and friends...and work them into the schedule with the REST of your day.

[Mark Hendricks]

Hi David,

That 4-hour workweek book is a real kick in the head, isn't it?

A lot of what I've been teaching people for over 20 years is hidden in those pages, I'm glad Tim wrote about those concepts he's learned to implement into his life at such a young age.

The secret to productivity?

Click on the link associated with this comment post (my name), and learn about the C.O.D.E (actually three codes) that will help make you much more productive.

Great blog David, thanks for always writing interesting things.

As always, my best to you --

Mark Hendricks