What is the difference between moving quickly and rushing? As legendary basketball coach John Wooden used to tell his players, “Be fast but don’t hurry.” Quickness implies liveliness and focus, while rushing implies being scattered and out of control. We have all experienced both action modes. Which feels better? Which is more productive?
The secret to moving quickly without rushing is to stay centered at all times, before your day, during your day, and at the end of the day. Easier said than done! Here are four steps to help you succeed.
Step One: Keep Your Center the Night Before
Before you go to sleep each weeknight, take a few minutes to plan the next day. By doing so, you set your unconscious mind in motion to help you do what you set out to do.
Specifically, I suggest that you set 1-3-5 goals. If you imagine that in the hours you have available for work, you can complete ten important tasks, you are probably being unrealistic. Instead, choose the one most important goal you need to achieve the next day, the one without which you will consider the day a failure. Then choose three middle-range goals, which are those that you would really like to get done but are not game-changers. Finally, choose five “nice to have” goals, which you might or might not have time to complete, or which do not require intense mental focus.
Once you’ve set your goals for the next day, prepare yourself for success by getting to bed on time.
Step Two: Keep Your Center When You Start Your Day.
Take time for yourself in the morning before you allow the world to charge in. For some people, this means meditation, prayer, and journaling. For others, it might mean simply sitting quietly with a cup of coffee or tea before the rest of the family gets up.
I encourage you not to check emails or social media in bed. Why let the world’s messages flood your brain when you are barely awake? Reserve the space to get centered before you pick up your smartphone. You will respond to your emails with more awareness and focus if you take time for yourself first.
Step Three: Maintain Your Focus During the Day
If you have completed steps one and two, you’re likely to have a sane day. Follow your plan, take regular breaks, and avoid multi-tasking. Focus on what’s important and be willing to bypass interruptions and tasks that seem urgent but are not important. Even if something truly pressing forces you to depart from your plan, you will be able to move into it without the sense of frazzled distraction.
Step Four: Keep Your Center Through the End of the Day.
To celebrate the end of each day, the day must have a clear end. Among the drawbacks of working from home is the sense that we “always have homework,” and that there are always more tasks awaiting our attention. Succumbing to this feeling and working into the evening and night is a recipe for burnout.
When you finish your major goals, call it a day. Take some physical action to mark closure, such as closing your computer or leaving your home office. Naturally, there will be high-pressure days that bleed into the evening, but don’t let them become routine.
When you mark the end of your day, celebrate every win you experienced. Even a “small” win is meaningful.
In the end, each of us can manage our finite time in ways that serve our well-being as well as our productivity. I encourage you to watch the video. Share with me your takeaways!
There! I finished this Writamin and completed my one main task for today. Now I’m going to get a cup of coffee to celebrate.
Here is the link to the webinar video on this topic.