With a world that is in lockdown and changing rapidly, it’s VITAL that we focus on what we CAN do, rather than being consumed by what we can’t control.
If we don’t, we will go crazy and the cost to our wellness will be enormous: personally, professionally, and financially.
In fact, I believe that the WORST thing we can do right now is scatter our focus, stress out, and spend all our time on social media consuming articles and people’s opinions about the current global situation (which may or may not be accurate).
My suggestion is to be part of the 1% who are using this time to reinvent themselves, work on their businesses, and plant seeds for the future. No matter what is happening or where we are right now, we can all choose to do this.
Here are 3 steps to stay productive during the coming months:
STEP 1: Create a 6 Month Plan
Amidst the drastic changes to the way we live and work, it might feel like life has dropped a bomb through your plans. But the trick here isn’t to give up on your long-term agenda – or to change direction from where your purpose originally wanted to take you.
It’s to make an adapted plan that works WITH your current situation and what is happening in the world. A plan that takes you even further down the path you feel called to pursue.
Think about where you want your business and life to be in 3 years from now. What does it look like? What are you doing? Who are you serving? What income are you earning?
Next, list out what you can work on or complete in the next 6 months that will build the foundations for THAT vision.
Ask yourself:
- What skills can I learn?
- What projects can I start / finish?
- What do I now have time to do / work on that I didn’t before?
Write a list of everything you could invest your energy and time into in the coming 6 months that would help you create the life (and business) of your dreams.
STEP 2: Prioritize Your Projects
Once you have a complete list of what you could focus on in the coming 6 months, it’s time to prioritize your projects.
Do this by circling the top 3 most important projects you will work on.
These are the ones that will make the BIGGEST impact on your life and set you up for the business you desire. Examples: Write my book, finish my new website, design my 12-month content and marketing campaigns.
Here are some questions to help you choose your top 3 priorities:
- What must be done first, logically?
- When completed, which project will contribute most to my goals?
Focus on what matters MOST – and cut away the rest. Work with the 80-20 principle and double down your energy and efforts on the highest priority actions.
Then, be diligent in keeping your attention where it needs to be. Don’t let people’s opinions, bright shiny objects, or excess drama distract you from the task at hand… because your future MATTERS.
Once you’ve picked your focus for the coming 6 months, use the power of time-blocking to help you achieve your goals.
STEP 3: Use Time-Blocking
Time-blocking is by far my number #1 productivity hack.
Implementing it has enabled me to write and publish 11 books in less than 10 years, launch a company, produce an award-winning blog, run global projects, serve 1000s of clients, speak on stages internationally, generate 6-figure revenues every year – and so much more.
Simply put, time-blocking means grouping similar tasks together into blocks of time. Examples of this might be:
- A 1-hour time block where you address your client work
- A 3-hour time block where you focus on writing your book
- A full day time block where you design your marketing campaigns
The golden rule of time-blocking is that during that allocated time-block, you focus on just ONE task. You don’t distract or fragment your attention with social media notifications or random conversation or interruptions.
This forces concentration… and gives rise to GENIUS and INSPIRATION.
We all need more of this right now to help us adapt our lives and businesses. During high-pressure situations like the one we face now, the power of this tool magnifies, and it is even more important than ever to keep us moving forwards.
Setting up regular time blocks for your personal and professional goals each week will also help you to establish a new routine for yourself.
I call this “A new normal.”
Yes – this new routine might be radically different from what you did before, but it will provide you with a sense of stability and calm that you need in fast-changing times.
So – create YOUR new normal.
While the circumstances we find ourselves in may not be easy, NOW is the time to be forward-focused.
Use every day to your advantage and remember that what you do today shapes your destiny.
From my heart to yours – stay well x
