Productivity is a mindset

Friday 8/9/19...

Sometimes I don't feel productive even when I absolutely know that's not the truth. For example, I have a list of nine tasks I wanted to accomplish this week. As of my writing this, I only have five crossed off. I think to myself, how is that even possible?!

So let's think back on this week a bit. I took some time off at the start of the week and I've still got all day to those tasks done. I have my client work which takes up the bulk of my time - I have a totally separate to-do list for them that I'm not considering. I've also got daily tasks that need to be done but don't make it onto the list five times a week.

Things like publishing this journal, reaching out to new connections on LinkedIn, posting and engaging to stay in front of my existing network, and nurturing existing leads. Then there are always the incoming email, messages, or phone calls that can take me off track if I'm in the middle of something.

So when I consider all of this, I know I've accomplished a lot this week. But when you assign yourself more tasks than you have time to get done, you're not setting yourself realistic expectations. What you write down is only a fraction of what you actually accomplish in any given week. That list is a lie!

Don't let it get to your head as I have. Write down your accomplishments like I'm doing here, chances are you've been far more productive than what your little list suggests.

Then, there's always the chance that some of those tasks are not actually a priority. We write things down to get them out of our heads. We don't want to forget, so we add it to the list. But how often do you have some of those tasks last weeks or months before getting crossed off?

The trick is knowing what needs to get done now, everything else is a nice-to-have. Don't let your to-do list control your mindset. Just do what needs to get done and breathe. If it makes you feel better, add things to your list once they're already done. Even if you do them five times a week.

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This is an entry from my personal daily journal. I recently left the 9-5 to work for myself - something I've dreamed of for as long as I can remember. It's my hope that these posts inspire anyone looking to do the same or shed some light on what this journey is really like.

• Check out my first post for more: This is for you (but mostly for me)
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Thanks for reading!

- DM