Written on June 23rd, 2010 at 12:06 am by Darren Rowse
How I Conquered Being Undisciplined and Started Getting Things Done
Today was a crazy day. We’re launching a new eBook with another site on dPS tonight so there was lots of planning, writing of copy for emails, sales pages and blog posts, setting up of shopping carts and much much more.
I thought that the day would be a write off when it came to my other activities, yet I still managed to get a lot done – perhaps even more than a normal day. I wrote 4 blogs posts (actually this one makes it 5), edited 4 others from other writers, managed to keep my inbox down to the same level it was at yesterday and did a bit of preparation for a sermon I’m writing for my church next Sunday… not to mention normal family stuff.
How was it that today was more productive than a normal day?
Today wasn’t a freak day where I worked any longer hours than normal, dosed up on cold and flu tablets, or drank 6 coffees instead of my normal 2. Over the years I’ve noticed these kinds of days before – and there’s one common thread among them….
I can sum it up with this chart:
I find that on the days that I fill up with tasks and deadlines that I tend to get a lot more done than the days that I have open.
When I don’t set out to achieve anything – I tend not to get anything done while on the days I wonder if I’ll get anything completed because I have too much to do I tend to exceed my expectations and get more than I planned to do done.
Of course there comes a point on the ‘busyness’ spectrum where things can get overwhelming to the detriment of productiveness (I’ve had days where I’ve been completely paralysed by the overwhelming nature of it all) but in general I’d say that I’m at my best when I’m busy.
I think this partially explains why as a student at university I was a pretty pathetic student and could never seem to get an assignment in on time. I had 10 contact hours and only had to show up to classes for 2 part days a week. I had 3 full days off to get everything I needed to do done, but never seemed to achieve it while my friend with 35 contact hours a week seemed to get everything done.
I always saw myself as undisciplined. Perhaps there was some truth in that but ever since I started blogging I’ve always wondered why that ‘undisciplined streak’ has never really come back. I thought for a while I might have just grown out of it, but I suspect it’s had more to do with the fact that I’ve been keeping myself busy.
When I started blogging I had numerous part time jobs and was finishing my studies in Theology and blogged ‘on the side’ (nights mainly). As I let go of the part time jobs I started multiple blogs and other projects as I had capacity – but have always stretched myself and taken on a little more than I could easily do. As a result I’ve always felt a little stretched, but have have always had to focus and set myself priorities in order to get what I set out to achieve done.
Is it just me who is wired this way or do others find their productivity increases as their busyness does?
PS: I’d issue one word of warning on this. Over the 8 years that I’ve been working this way there have been a couple of times I stretched myself too far. You’ll notice that the chart has a tipping point where busyness can lead to less productivity. Don’t burn yourself out!
91 Responses to “How I Conquered Being Undisciplined and Started Getting Things Done” - Add Yours
Kiesha @ We Blog Better
June 23rd, 2010 1:01 am
Hi Darren,
I’m amazed to hear to that out of everything you do here and on your other blogs, you still chisel out time for Sermons. I don’t know why this is the first time I’m learning you studied theology – very impressive.
Anyway, I think I’m the same way – I need a certain level of pressure – of deadlines to get things done. I often amaze myself with what I can accomplish when I focus on them – but I also fall into same trap when there are “open” days. I have a tendency to laze around when there are no set goals for a particular day.
Then of course, there are days when I stretch myself too thin and my brain freezes up and I’m unable to focus on any one thing.
I’ve gradually learned to focus on less, and instead complete high priority tasks. They make the greatest impact – I like to have something to show for the time I spend working – sometimes a few big things make a greater impact than 1000 little things.
Anyway, keep up the awesome work!
Harsh Athalye
June 23rd, 2010 1:09 am
I think it has nothing to do with business. I guess since blogging is what you love from the bottom of heart, you are naturally focused and hence, get more out of door every day. At least, that’s the case with me. As a student, I was poor in planning and executing my plans for studies, but the things which I love to do get executed without any hassle. I guess the force here is the inner motivation which push you to do the things which you are perfectly capable of.
Thanks for sharing!
Harsh Athalye
June 23rd, 2010 1:09 am
sorry, I meant busyness ;)
Scott Ellis
June 23rd, 2010 1:10 am
Darren, Spot on! There is a tendency (I think) in most people to be more productive when focused (which is what those tasks and deadlines do for us) than when we are more nebulous about getting things done. I’ve experienced exactly the same results as well as those days where I had so much to do that paralysis set in.
When I get to those paralyzing days I just try to remember to tell myself to take one thing at a time (harder than in sounds in the days of multi-tasking) and chip away at it. Inevitably, just getting one major thing off my plate can take the anxiety out of it all and lead to a very productive day again.
Jean Sarauer
June 23rd, 2010 1:11 am
If I have all day to do something, I tend to get nothing done.
Busy or not, I need a schedule, a clear idea of what I need to get done, and usually a timer to help keep my focus too.
Toya
June 23rd, 2010 1:11 am
You described me to a tee in this post. I only recently discovered how important it is to really have a daily schedule. Not just a todo list but a methodology on how to get it all accomplished.
Without it I am extremely unproductive or the opposite end of the spectrum stretching myself way too thin. I truly believe that blogging has helped me in this regard because to juggle family and other personal responsibilities plus blogging and article writing.. I needed structure.
Paul Tech
June 23rd, 2010 1:11 am
I have experienced increased productivity when feeling busy too. It sorts of foucs our minds on the task at hand..when the deadline is impending…
By the way, I find it hard to associate an undisciplined habit with you when you churn out blog posts almost daily and have been keeping at it for years.
http://seventoten.com
Eric | My 4-Hour Workweek
June 23rd, 2010 1:14 am
Darren – I feel exactly the same as your do. When I am borderline overwhelmed with things to do, I am incredibly productive. I think it has something to do with the fact that you NEED to be productive in order to get through the day, so you’re inherently motivated to work more efficiently.
On days where I have plenty of things I *could* do, but nothing that I *need* to do, I am wildly unproductive and generally end the day feeling like I wasted valuable hours.
Nabeel | Create Your First Website
June 23rd, 2010 1:15 am
This is absolutely true for me too!
It happened just yesterday!
Monday is the most busiest day for me in the whole week. I got more done yesterday, than today (Tuesday), in which I have not much to do!!
I was very busy yesterday, but I got so much done yesterday. While I have so much time today, but I have not nearly done the tasks which I did yesterday, even though I have more time!!
Every Monday I get more done than any other day, even though I have very little time and I am very busy on Monday!
Strange!!
Josh Garcia
June 23rd, 2010 1:16 am
Hey Darren,
I’m not sure if it has anything to do with being busy or just putting priority on the things you enjoy doing. When my plate is full of task that I enjoy doing. They get done completely. Now, if I have a task that I’m dreading I’m going to put it off as long as I can and do everything else that I enjoy.
Chat with you later…
Josh
Andy Fogarty
June 23rd, 2010 1:16 am
I definitely work MUCH better this way. For me, I think it’s all about the challenge of getting it all done in such a tight window. I’ve always enjoyed a challenge. I’m not sure if that’s the real reason, but it seems to make sense.
On days that I leave open to just “think” and take it slow, I don’t really get anything accomplished.
Strange how that works.
John Arnold
June 23rd, 2010 1:31 am
My experience has definitely been similar. When I have an enormous amount to produce it creates urgency so that I take action and take it consistently. I have found though that I tend to surge and then struggle to get anything done after the surge. So, I have some disciplines that I am using now that level my work a bit and I am now consistently producing more. Specifically,
1) I use a timer ALOT during the day. I set aside units of time to work on things and then step away whether I am done or not. I am very right brain dominate and can easily get sucked into trying to complete the big picture of something whether it is realistic or not, even to the detriment of other things that need attention. So, I am learning to invest consistent time into tasks.
2) I map out 4 or 5 priorities that I want done by noon each day and focus on specifically those. I put off distractions and rabbit trails until those things are accomplished.
3) I create a mind map for the week on Mondays.
4) I stopped creating a bottomless to do less that was self defeating and usually work in terms of to do lists that are only 5 or 7 items at a time, regardless of what may need to get done.
All of these things help me stay more focus with out generating some kind of crisis to get productive.
Nancy
June 23rd, 2010 1:43 am
This has always been the case with me. Give me a full schedule and I’ll exceed all expectations. Give me a free day and I can’t seem to get a thing done.
David McRee
June 23rd, 2010 1:50 am
A discovery I’ve made is that I get a LOT more done when I start the day with a clean desk. A completely clean desk–no paperwork on it. Just my computer monitor and keyboard, phone, and calculator. I would say it increases my productivity four-fold.
Chris Pontine
June 23rd, 2010 1:53 am
“Is it just me who is wired this way or do others find their productivity increases as their busyness does?”
Actually a very good question to ask everyone, in fact most should ask themselves this to see where they are. I would have to say it depends how you approach your overall busyness. For instance if you have no plan or goal it may be tough to get it done because you first of all haven’t come up with a goal, and second if you haven’t come up with it you can’t really hit your expectations if there aren’t any.
So this may leave you a little overwhelmed, which may turn into giving up certain things because of this. Really breaking it down and having a plan can really help many, noticed I said MANY, because some of us are just insane and can get it done :-).
Karen
June 23rd, 2010 2:13 am
I work best when I have a list of things I need to do for that day. I love crossing them off once they’re done and then moving onto the next one. It makes me happy to be productive, especially on those items that I don’t really want to do, but need to get done.
When you get overwhelmed, look around at what you are doing and eliminate something from your life. It might be a hard choice, but it’s so necessary.
Devon Jordan
June 23rd, 2010 2:33 am
I’m with you on this one, and its one of the reasons my blog hasn’t seen a post in over a month. I’ll say I’ve been busy, internships, school, etc, but I’ve really just been browsing Reddit and messing with Facebook.
But, when I have deadlines, I go into overdrive mode. I get everything and anything done. I guess its time to get productive and unbusy.
Shockerz
June 23rd, 2010 2:35 am
I understand fully because I was the same and still is. I realize it when I read about it in the book the “40 hours work week” written by Tim Ferriss. It seem like making short term goals tend to get things done rather than long ones. In other words, being busy at what you are targeting can get things done in a fast manner. The longer one’s stretches the less efficient & effective he/she it. Just focus! It’s always the way.
Matthew
June 23rd, 2010 2:40 am
The key for me is clear deadlines. If I have a lot of ambiguous, amorphous projects floating around, it’s difficult for me to find motivation. There’s no clear beginning, no clear completion date, and no deadline I need to meet.
This makes it important for me to define milestones: accomplishments for which I can set deadlines, and which will give me something to look at and say, “I did that. I finished it.” With something ongoing like running a business or blogging, milestones are what keep me going.
Uzma
June 23rd, 2010 2:46 am
You’re so right. When we have a plan , we do stuff , otherwise we daydream :-) . Thanks for the reminder that having a to do list in line with our goals is such an important thing. God bless
CharlieHash
June 23rd, 2010 2:56 am
My experience is almost difference from those above commenters, whenever I decide to do more and more work before deadline – given by myself to me, It’s ruins me mentally and physically, so now, I have decided to do work without deadline and it increase my productivity, That was my personal experience.
Zack
June 23rd, 2010 3:40 am
Funny how that works. You are working, but still feel like you’re not getting anything done.
bicycle gourmet
June 23rd, 2010 4:46 am
“deadlines are inspirational”
also……re “undisciplined”
woody allen once said of stand-up comedy -
“you never bomb as bad as you think you do.”
David: The Wonder Technique
June 23rd, 2010 5:20 am
Darren,
My Dad told me once that ‘work expands to the time allotted’. I believe this is very true for me.
For example, when I was in university I worked part time (and sometimes full time) as I studied. Over the years the only time my grades went down was when I did not have a part time job since ‘I taught I had all the time in the world’ I did and I never keep focused.
Today when I coach people I help people make the habit of focus so they focus like they have only a small period of time each time they work (even if they have more). This technique works to help them get their work done and have more time to do other stuff.
Thanks for reminding me of this. I will put a reminder of this in one of my blog postings and put your posting as a link back.
Cheers,
David
Aurangzaib Baloch
June 23rd, 2010 5:29 am
Well, being a student it’s really hard to find and to manage time for Blogging, College and other Projects…
But with time when you start setting your own goals, then you start getting things done on time and that’s where you attract all the “Positive Energy” towards you and create a positive change in your life!
Motivation is really important, wake up early in the morning and Jog! I find this really helpful! :)
Trey Christian
June 23rd, 2010 6:34 am
Darren,
When I have lots of thing to get done I seem to get things done faster and better but when I down to two things or so I seem to think I can take my time but find myself falling behind deadline.I think the more I have on my plate the better I am.
David Edwards
June 23rd, 2010 6:46 am
It’s the momentum that keeps you going… Over the past two years I have some weeks where I have no stuff to complete and others where I have to send around 50 e-mails in a day!…
If only it could be split to 5 e-mails a day!…
:]
David: The Wonder Technique
June 23rd, 2010 6:59 am
Hi Darren,
Here is the article I mentioned I would write in my comment above with the link back to your article.
http://thewondertechnique.com/focus-and-productivity/
Thank you for the inspiration to get this article done.
David
Michael Nobbs
June 23rd, 2010 7:19 am
As someone who found himself at the far bottom right of your graph and ended up burnt out for a decade, I tend to be very careful about how many deadlines I make myself in a day (or a week). One important task done a day makes me very happy these days :)
Cutting out the needless “busyness” is the key of course. Working out what’s important and doing that. Otherwise I can still be very busy, but not at all productive (and my graph would resemble a steep ski-slope rather than your nice bell shaped curve).
Ben Vernon
June 23rd, 2010 8:13 am
This is definitely true for me, and this post has probably made me realise it. When I think back to my most productive days they are the days that I am at University all day. I come home and type days in advance and then with my days off I can’t seem to get anything prioritised.
Great Post, thanks
Wayne Tully
June 23rd, 2010 8:37 am
I’ve found myself more disciplined when I am not busy, I just seem to get lots done, so it’s rather the reverse effect of your way of how things get done, it’s a strange thing to be not busy and just be motivated to do lots of work that might not get done the other way around.
I suppose it’s different for every person and every situation. Some days however I do get lots done when I’m busy but these days are few and far between….maybe I’ll just settle for getting the work done whenever I feel like, just so long as I get on with it…..
Interesting post! almost made me lose my concentration…..
Kristoffer Hansen
June 23rd, 2010 9:09 am
Very interesting post…
I think that you choose to make other types of work on those days. For example, I tend to be able to write many blog posts on days, where I have a lot of things to get done.
On the other hand, I get a lot of work on IsMyWebsite done when I’ve a lot of time.
Also, research is one of the things that I get done on those days. – Not for one specific blog post, but it can for example be that I read a bit more blogs like this one.
Taylor Shaw
June 23rd, 2010 10:11 am
I know exactly what you mean. Before I became “busy,” I was always struggling to finish things on time. Now that I work 50 hour weeks, volunteer 10-15 hours every week, and blog I find that I’m much better able to set priorities and accomplish things quickly.
Being stretched, as you put it, seems to force you to work smarter.
NJS
June 23rd, 2010 10:30 am
Yep, I work the same way.
anon
June 23rd, 2010 11:12 am
I would get an enormous amount of ‘work’ done too, if all I had to do was write blog posts and work on a Sermon.
Try doing some ‘real’ work.
Joe Boyle
June 23rd, 2010 11:12 am
I think the human brain functions in a way that when you have more to think about, you try and rush, thus completing more.
For example, if you were a chef and had to make 1,000 pizzas, versus 100 pizzas, what are you going to work harder at? As a result of your hard work, you will finish more.
mondex1
June 23rd, 2010 11:33 am
I am impressed how you try to squeeze in everything with your schedule. I think I will follow your steps soon. My housemaid didn’t return and will be giving her another week to go back to us however if she wont be able to make it on Saturday, I need to think how I will manage working at home, looking after my son and doing some chores too. But you inspired me how you do things and I will start to do time management now :) Thanks again.
Rezdwan Hamid
June 23rd, 2010 11:59 am
Thanks for sharing your personal experience, Darren. Maybe I should look into it and see for myself if it works. I have been feeling rather undisciplined lately and it could be what you just said. Too little to accomplish therefore, no sense of urgency to achieve anything.
Steve Shoemaker
June 23rd, 2010 12:30 pm
I think this is the most common problem marketers face I hate having a whole day to accomplish things then realize late at night I have really gotten nothing done!! Fail to plan plan to fail cliche but so true.
Steve Shoemaker
Anna
June 23rd, 2010 12:51 pm
Couldn’t agree more, recently I went on holidays and had masses of things I had to get done before I left, as a result had the most productive week ever, but also very long hours during that time.
Since I got back I am really struggling as nothing is really urgent, but I need to knuckle down so they don’t become urgent….
I need some ‘fake’ deadlines but they just don’t have the same clout
OtherAndrew
June 23rd, 2010 12:59 pm
“If you want something done, give it to a busy person.”
I guess your model testifies to this. I’ve often made the same observation about the way I work, too.
Great post, thanks.
Cori Padgett
June 23rd, 2010 1:01 pm
Most definitely when I’ve got goals and tasks set for the day, I’m much more productive than when I just start a day ‘blind’ with nothing concrete on the agenda. Keeping busy keeps me on track, but I’ve definitely been guilty of keeping myself too busy to the point I’m ready to cry and crawl in bed because I’ve simply overloaded myself. Luckily I have fewer and fewer of those times, as I’ve learned exactly what I’m capable of doing and exactly what I’m not capable of.
Edwin (Little Handy Tips)
June 23rd, 2010 1:10 pm
I have to agree with you on that Darren.
My logic on this is that on days when you have a lot to do, you have a list of things that you know you need to check off and get done. And you go about quickly getting them done.
However if you have a non-busy day, you tend to procrastinate more. My mind wonders off when I’m working and I tend to follow up on those and spend quite a bit of time surfing on the net. Such as the other day when I was preparing to teach a scuba diving class and not long after, I started surfing the internet for potentially diving holidays destinations. What was suppose to take an hour to accomplish didn’t end up getting done.
When I first saw the subject of your blog post, I thought you were going to talk about how you used GTD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_Things_Done) to get yourself disciplined and getting things done.
Gemma Carr
June 23rd, 2010 1:56 pm
Time after time I have proven that I am at my BEST when I am BUSIEST. Whilst productivity excels, I do feel that my creativity and social life are compromised. It’s all about balance.
Great post
Mary
June 23rd, 2010 2:09 pm
This reminds me of the saying: If you want something done, give it to a busy person.
It is true for me, as well. It’s one of the benefits of having a day job while I get my coaching business up and running. Having 8 hours taken away from my available time forces me to use the time I do have wisely.
@cdstern
June 23rd, 2010 2:16 pm
I find that my most productive days are filled with a perfect amount of tasks which you explained in your blog. The main factor for me is mixing in one or two social events that I’m excited about. Most of the time it is a meeting with someone new, reconnecting with an old friend, or going to a new place with my girlfriend.
Vincent Ng- Conversation ARTS
June 23rd, 2010 3:26 pm
I find that there needs to be a balance for being able to relax and being productive as well. Like you mentioned in your last post, sometimes it’s good to take a break.
But it’s also important to know what our limit is and when we are most productive. I feel most productive when there is a clear goal in mind, I’m by myself and that I ensure I’m healthy. This is when I’m in the zone.
Jonathan Beebe
June 23rd, 2010 5:32 pm
I never really thought of it like this, but I think you’re absolutely right (for me anyway). Looking back, my productivity has always been higher when I have a lot set out to do vs. the days my schedule is open.
I think all the openness in a schedule leads me to feeling lazy and taking advantage of all the extra time, thus not getting as much done.
Thanks for another thought-provoking post Darren.
Jason Wheeler
June 23rd, 2010 6:15 pm
being busy is easy. Now being productive takes focus and attention.
Jezza101
June 23rd, 2010 7:20 pm
This is why the Agile wall can come in very handy. By defining real tasks that have value in a visual way you always have targets to work to.
By keeping the tasks to the smallest deliverable that provides genuine value you can tackle and complete them one at a time whilst all the time enjoying that feeling of progress.
The visualisation gives you a sense of perspective and a sense of progress.
For example:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2513682441_b2beea0d6b.jpg
Gerry @ YourLawnAndGarden
June 23rd, 2010 7:28 pm
As they say, “If you want to get a job done, ask a busy person to do it!”. Matt. 3:25
Bhavik
June 23rd, 2010 8:54 pm
Can I just say wow.
I think I’m currently that undisciplined college student, actually I’m 100% positive that I am. This post is just what I needed. Here’s to hoping I actually heed the advice presented above. Thank you for giving me a simple solution and hope along with it.
Jonathan Gunson
June 23rd, 2010 10:39 pm
MOre important than anything is having a
Jonathan Gunson
June 23rd, 2010 10:43 pm
Darren
More important than anything BY FAR is having a clear idea of WHAT you are attempting to achieve.
Know what the goal is? Then it is very easy to have a clear work flow.
Uncertainty and not being clear about the target brings a ghastly lack of motivation to apply oneself. As they say, if you don’t know where you are going, any old winding road will get you there. :)
Jonathan
GolfGurl
June 23rd, 2010 11:13 pm
I work best under pressure. Always have. But when I have a lot to do in one day, I find I am tempted to do all the “little things” that should only take a minute, before starting in on the one “major task”…. which I should really do first. All those “little things” usually take a lot longer than I predict they will. Making a list and prioritizing is really the key to making things go well for me. Thanks Darren for your insights. Always enlightening!
TheInfoPreneur
June 23rd, 2010 11:34 pm
I always start my mornings off with some exercise, and while I’m at it, I jot down my main priorities for the day. If I don’t stay focused, someone else will focus me on other non-important tasks. ;)
Brandon
Daisy
June 23rd, 2010 11:46 pm
Darren,
That is me to a tee. I was a lazy student (but a successful one — good at pulling things out of my a– at the last minute). I functioned better in a classic work environment with external deliverables. Throw a baby in the mix and I finally cracked, to the point of jeopardizing my health. Now that I am choosing to exit corporate life and become more entrepreneurial I will face a lot of challenges in creating enough structure to keep me productive but enough balance to keep me healthy and sane. Family members have seen me dreaming up 4 or 5 business ideas at a time and are warning me to slow it down but I’m not sure I know how!! Any tips from mommies who are working from home would be much appreciated.
amy
June 24th, 2010 12:03 am
Darren! I’ve often wondered how you get so much done as well! kidding aside, i too find that the more i have to do, the more i get done (short of that tipping point you refer to.) but sometimes, when i am overwhelmed, i pare it down to ‘just one thing’. i just focus on the one thing i MUST get done that day in order to feel any sense of accomplishment at all. usually, if i can knock that out in the first hour or two, then i’m juiced for the rest of the day and just start plowing thru the rest of the list.
thanks as always for your continually informative and motivating posts.
amy
Barbara
June 24th, 2010 12:42 am
Darren, I totally understand this. I’ve always said, if you want something done, give it to a very busy person! The more I have to do the more I get done, and the less I have to do the more time I waste!
Love getting all your great tips every day!
Thanks, Barbara
Joshua Black | Underdog Millionaire
June 24th, 2010 1:28 am
Darren,
As a busy-addict myself I definintely understand how productivity can peak and then explode into a firey ball of nothing.
There is a lot to be said about how much work you do and where your business has developed as a result. It’s not always that amount, but the kind of work that you do that makes the difference.
I like to think that working hard will get you anywhere in this day and age, but everyone works hard. You also have to work in a way that is helping your business and not just spinning your tires in the mud of distraction.
You clearly know the difference based on your success and I thank you for showing us what it takes to get there.
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
Lisa
June 24th, 2010 1:32 am
I too need to have a list and cross off items as I get them done, I do this at my day job as well. I write the lists at work and try to make it manageable for when I’m working at night.
Nathan Hangen - Digital Emperor
June 24th, 2010 2:34 am
Darren, interesting that the busyness points towards this site…do you find that niche blogs are much easier to maintain and have better ROI?
Melissa Dinwiddie
June 24th, 2010 2:54 am
Your post describes me to a T. Before I figured out what my passions were, I thought of myself as “lazy.” But then friends and family started commenting on how productive and busy I was. Turns out I’m not lazy at all — I just needed something to focus me.
Now my challenge is actually to allow myself some “chill time!” (And I thought I was lazy!)
Finding the peak of that curve is not always so easy…
Ireti @ Centre for Personal Development
June 24th, 2010 3:21 am
Darren,
At times busyness to me doesn’t translate to productivity. One can be busy and not achieve anything. I started getting things done when i realize that i had to move my life forward because nobody was going to do that for me. Am a bad procrastinator before, but when i realise that little victories sumed up together creates big success, my orientation changed.
I give myself the freedom to succeed by setting my objectives for each day. I develop crystal clear goals so that when i hit it, my whole being will be on vibration. I let go of distractions and focus on the 80/20 rule. I do what am suppose to do per time and don’t issue myself excuses. Overtime, I have become a pro @ time management.
Good post darren. Thanks for the good work.
RMJ
June 24th, 2010 4:02 am
I work full time and run a couple of blogs, but I’ve definitely found this to be true: the more I have to do, the more I do. But I find that working and blogging leads to a very high rate of burnout – last week it happened and I realized I was just done for a bit suddenly. So I’m taking a sec off and feeling the itch to return – without working 12 hours/day.
Joe McGinnis
June 24th, 2010 4:44 am
Thanks for this post – I find it so encouraging. My wife and I are trying to nail down a little more simplicity … with 3 blogs, a book, other writing projects, work (I’m a Children’s pastor), finishing up my Masters in Counseling, adopting a baby from Ethiopia, and a family… It’s anything BUT simple right now. I’m trying to balance productivity and sanity. Today has been more insanity than productivity. – thanks for helping me get back on track.
Nasrul Hanis
June 24th, 2010 5:10 am
I do agree with you Darren as I currently facing the situation that you mentioned.
Having hard time working in studio and need to spare the time for blogging matters – they’re stressing but in the same time gives motivation and helps to increase productivity.
And yes – too much busyness could burn you out!
Shane
June 24th, 2010 7:17 am
What You Can Learn From Your Dog about Growing Your Online Income…
Okay, you may be wondering what you can learn from your dog about growing your online income. There are two things actually.
# 1 Stop Sniffing Around So
This may sound corny, but many people who start an online business act like dogs circling around trying to find a place to pee. Allow me to explain. Have you ever seen a dog go pee? Be honest
Alright, the dog will circle around and around, sniff, sniff, sniff, then circle around some more. All the while you’re thinking “just go already will ya!” It’s almost like your dog is looking for the perfect place to pee or something. When in reality, any place will do (except for the carpet).
Well, people starting their online businesses are similar. They hee-haw around and dilly dally wanting to start the business but they never do. It’s almost like they are looking for the PERFECT time to start the business or waiting for the PERFECT product to come around.
Sometimes people are waiting for them to hand the opportunity to them on a silver platter or something.
I see folks who have a truck load of talent, but never use. Like a dog, they keep circling around to find the perfect spot or the perfect, whatever, when all they really need to do is just piss already!
Start by doing something, ANYTHING! Write an article and post it on a directory. Start a blog, join an affiliate network and promote products, write some Squidoo pages, design some Wordpress blog themes and sell them. Just do something.
There will never be a perfect time or place to start your online business so stop looking for it. And yes, when you start your first online adventure, odds are your product WILL SUCK. But so what? Just put something out there in the marketplace and begin. Like I said before, you need to take ACTION. Bad action is better than NO action in most cases.
# 2 Mark Your Territory
I told you there 2 things you can learn from a dog about growing your online income.
So here’s number 2.
Have you ever wondered why a dog sniffs before he urinates? According to Answers.com (and countless dog training books and pet stores), they are marking their territory.
They will either smell another dog’s urine and urinate over that or, they will mark their own territory such as the backyard/front yard, etc
I can totally hear what you’re saying. “Shane, what the hell. You’ve lost your mind and your post makes no freakin sense.
Let me explain. The dog is sniffing to see if he has any competition in the area. Almost like researching your niche. Face it; if you have NO competition then odds are there really won’t be any buyers for the product either. That’s not always the case, but most of the time it rings true.
Let’s say for example you’ve found a niche you would like to work in. But there is NOBODY advertising that niche on Google adwords, or Yahoo, or Bing. Well, odds are there probably won’t be many buyers either, if any at all.
Now let’s say you’ve found a niche you would like to work in and there IS some competition. You see Google ads and Yahoo ads and Bing ads. Well, like the dog, mark your territory! Who cares who’s dominating that niche.
Frank Kern can’t own ALL the online marketing stuff can he?
The dog doesn’t worry about who the other dogs are that are pissing there, he’s just marking his territory. Period.
In conclusion. Go out there and find your market and the hell with the competition. Take action and mark your territory, savvy?
Rachel Johnston
June 24th, 2010 7:37 am
As one who is currently in an overwhelmed frozen state, this post is quite timely! Thank-you!
A reminder tome to just re-focus! Cheers
CP
June 24th, 2010 8:40 am
Hey Darren,
No matter how hard we all try, it’s hard to get past that mental rut and start concentrating on the task at hand! I have to agree with you – the busier I am, the more productive I tend to be.
Basically, what I do is find media on the internet to boost people’s emotional wellbeing. I think I found a video that might help you, along with anyone else, get out of that mental rut and get back on track. It’s a really humorous video about Jessica’s daily affirmation – http://www.pepfly.com/a/6560
Hopefully this helps!
^CP
(jeremy@pepfly.com)
Glenn A
June 24th, 2010 9:00 am
Terrific topic. I don’t think many people have a realization of just how hard it can be to manage yourself as a solo act. Love the line, “I tend not to get anything done while on the days I wonder if I’ll get anything completed.”
I’ve found that tackling something that’s been put off for far too long brings a blast of energy and motivation to keep producing. Things that keep hanging over my head seem to muck up the works in many ways.
Gary Smith
June 24th, 2010 12:01 pm
I think it depends on how you handle your busyness. From a programmers point of view – if you have a half dozen jobs and try to jump around between them every hour or two it tends to slow you right down. The trick is to stay focused but obviously if you have 3 jobs and they are all going to take more than a day to complete and you have 3 customers all wanting them yesterday – it can be stressful.
That raises another question though – is the stress really there or is it self-imposed stress due to an inability to make some firm short term decisions..lol. I used to have days where I felt like throwing my hands in the air and going back to bed. Nowadays I just do what I consider to be a reasonable amount of work on each job and avoid distractions like checking my email every 15 minutes!
Dionne White
June 24th, 2010 1:34 pm
SNAP! I am at my most prolific under pressure and under stress. It is normal. I have been previously employed as a natural health practitioner and a pharmaceutical rep. There is a biological response which enhances brain/body response. Ustress is good stress, giving you your best chance of achieving deadlines.
When I have nothing to do or have just pulled off what I thought was impossible and have no immediate tasks at hand, I end up getting sick. Bloody ridiculous but probably the body giving you permission to have a fluffy slipper day/week on the sofa where the only thing pressing is accidently sitting on the remote
Josh Kohlbach
June 24th, 2010 2:00 pm
Sounds like you’re kicking parkinson’s law Darren! In fact this is exactly proving it’s definition:
http://www.codemyownroad.com/parkinsons-law-on-deadlines/
The more you pack in, the more likely you’ll go out of your way to get it done.
Marcie Hill
June 24th, 2010 4:34 pm
Busyness does not always equate to productivity. It takes some of us longer to get it than others.
Robin Alley
June 24th, 2010 7:42 pm
That definitely sounds like me… and a LOT of people really.
It really is just another way of reiterating the importance of goals.
Thanks for sharing.
Christina
June 25th, 2010 4:22 am
I could not agree more with this post. The days that I don’t have mapped out tend to spiral out of control.
Joe | Bend Carpet Cleaning
June 25th, 2010 6:01 am
I like Zigg Ziglar’s idea of writing down the 4 most important things to do for the next day and then focus only on those 4 things. I have been doing it for 3 years now. Simple and easy.
Stephanie - Home with the Kids
June 25th, 2010 8:55 am
That’s how it goes for me too. I’m looking at homeschooling my daughter next fall, and while I’m dreading the time it will take out of my day, I’m also reminding myself that I’ll probably be more productive because I’ll have so little free time to goof off.
Callum
June 25th, 2010 12:23 pm
Great post Darren.
The university scenario you described was exactly the same as mine (though I got it down to 1 day per week at times).
Actually, re-reading the post as I type this comment more and more hits home. At the moment I’m trying to do ‘less’ but be more productive. Will see how that works.
Dan Wedin
June 26th, 2010 8:07 am
I can relate to the below line although it sounds like you have these days considerably less than I do.
(I’ve had days where I’ve been completely paralysed by the overwhelming nature of it all)
thanks for your post.
Brenton Russell
June 26th, 2010 10:00 am
This post reminds me of the management saying “If you want a task done, give it to a busy person!”
Seospidy
June 26th, 2010 9:10 pm
I’m so excited to hear to that out of everything you do here and on your other blogs, thanks for your post.
Jhay
June 28th, 2010 3:27 pm
The same could said for me. We call generally call it “cramming” during college. We tend to do things only when there’s a day or two, sometimes just hours before the work is due. And amazingly, the results are of great quality. Unlike when I planned to do things way ahead of schedule, the work was just average.
Simply put, I work best under pressure.
InventingLiz
June 29th, 2010 3:12 am
I am definitely this way too, and I am struggling right now in a day job where I don’t have enough to do – so don’t end up ever getting anything done – especially when I would rather be blogging and running some other creative side businesses!
Guitar Chords
June 29th, 2010 6:17 am
I guess I’m still quite indisciplined even to the extent of not posting for months. Still, when I do post, I choose quality over quantity. It works for me though, probably cz my blog is more like a website. I guess a bit more discipline will get more readers though.
Gwen
June 30th, 2010 5:33 am
Most people are slackers in life. That is why if you can fight the urge, you can be very successful in life.
Linda
June 30th, 2010 8:21 am
Guess it’s a case of Parkinson’s law i.e. Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.
Febap Liew | Making Money Online Today
July 14th, 2010 6:12 pm
Hey darren,
i bet ‘too much of something is eventually not good’..
same goes within in this context.
However, prior before i started to learn the ways of making money online, i was an architecture student.
Mind you, if you may not know, majoring in architecture is really..really…really..really tough. I have went through 3 days streak without sleep ( maybe at most one hour a day ) just so i could complete my final ‘project’ .. am i over stretching myself? you bet i was but i really don’t have a choice.it is either i do or fail!
however, because of this , my performance and productivity dropped immensely day after day. i managed to pass but it was such a ‘let down’ result.
those times were history. however, blogging can work quite like the same way. not because i have a deadline to chase after but it is just so addicting. I am striving hard to really make it online and this constantly ignites the ever burning fuel within me! well i know its not good and i may well be repeating what i ought to be during my university’s time. it is still not easy for me to ‘discipline’ myself but i will make sure that i don’t work myself out like a zombie.
No i don’t have a specific time scheduled to begin and stop but at least i would occasionally just give myself a break. Hitting the gym, go for a walk or those sort. =)
I am still able to get things done and better yet, much more productively. ;)
what can i say? life’s good, i guess.. haha
cheers
Camden
July 18th, 2010 12:54 am
I definitely need goals (preferably written) to accomplish anything. I actually do best when I allot myself a certain amount of time for a task. Otherwise I tend to fill my day with busy activities that don’t really accomplish anything.
I try to end my day with an interesting unfinished task – that makes it easy to pick up the next day where I left off and get that first accomplishment achieved 1st thing in the morning.
make money
August 3rd, 2010 8:58 pm
When I get paralyze days I just try to remember to tell me to take one thing at a time (louder than the noise in the era of multi-tasking) and it gradually. It is inevitable, just to get a bigger thing on my plate may be afraid of everything and lead to a very productive day.
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