5 Steps toward a productive 2022!

Does anyone else feel like time is passing by super quickly? Is the planet spinning faster resulting in the concept of time being sped up? (Grab your tin foil hat for this one) Are we in a simulation that is on fast forward mode?

Either way, I know that it was not long ago that at my 9–5 job I constantly had the feeling of the day dragging on for what seemed like forever at the time. I found my self always looking at the time asking myself the same question over and over: “How close to quitting time am I?” Fast forward to current date and I am finding myself asking almost the opposite question: “Geez…Where did the day go”. It just seems as if there is just not enough time in the day anymore.

For some that is okay, for more of the productive types this can be a problem. Below I am going to go into a few items that can help jump start 2022 in a productive manner. There is no reason to wait though, these can be implemented TODAY!

1. KICK START YOUR DAYS

Who doesn't enjoy sleeping in once in a while? That’s what most weekends are for right? Eh.. Kind of! Do you have a routine? Do you wake up at a certain time everyday? Is that time efficient and does it give you enough time to throw your productive pants on? Look into your schedule and a typical days events and plan a wake up time. When the alarm goes off GET UP and throw out the excuses of why laying there through 3 more snooze alarms makes more sense. (I have read articles and listened to Podcast that state 5AM is the magic time that some of the biggest CEO’s and the worlds productive elite wake up to start their day) Not just waking up early for the extra time, but at the same time each day creates a subconscious routine that allows your body to chemically balance your brain and body to get a jump start on each the day and also get used to the demands we put our bodies through. So stop hitting snooze on your dreams!

2. THROW AWAY THE EXCUSE MACHINE

Ever made an excuse to get out of something? It’s easy right? Maybe a little guilt here or there but for the most part you just make an excuse and just like that you are out of what you planned on doing. This is written from experience as I am/was the excuse king! Stop making excuses for why you can’t or don't want to do something and instead come of with reasons why you should follow through with your plans. I can bet you will find some motivation in doing this or maybe you have now guilted yourself into just following through with your plans. Don’t flake on yourself.

3. STOP BEING FEARFUL

Do you want to be a YouTube or movie star but afraid of being on camera? Do you want to be a singer but afraid of being heard? Want to lose 20lbs but afraid to be seen working out? Whatever it is you have to get passed it or you will get passed on or passed up! If you want to start learning to write code, learn a new language or hell even ride a bike, JUST DO IT ALREADY! Stop letting the fear of failure or the fear of being judged by others hold you back. Do whatever sets your soul on fire and let the happiness from it drown out the background noise. Do it for you, because YOU want to! You never know maybe you are the next Steve Jobs, Serena Williams or Selena!

4. STOP SETTING GOALS

This is hands down one of the most important things you can take away from this article. I want to repeat it and you can say it with me: “STOP SETTING GOALS”

Sounds like crazy talk right? Well I can assure you it’s not. First of the year is coming and I am sure most people are already deciding to set a resolution (“goal”) for the new year. Statistics show that in America alone only 8% (EIGHT PERCENT) of people who set a new year goal actually succeed and achieve that goal while the rest fail by the middle of February. Crazy right? So as an alternative when you decide to do something, ask yourself what value is there to gain from it and make a list with what you come up with. Create benchmarks or a reward system. Setting a goal casts a cloud called a “EXCUSE MACHINE” which I mentioned earlier that allows you to talk yourself out of things. Be mindful of what you wish to accomplish and decide to make it happen and not setting a goal with words or writing hoping that everything aligns.

5. KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON

“It’s good enough” or “It will do for now” are sayings that are often said. Once people get to a place where they have worked to get to and feel content they stop. They stop seeking growth and advancement because its “good enough” for them and and where they are at. Like a lot of people we tend to get stuck in a state of complacency where we are comfortable and don't have to put much effort into out daily tasks. I am here to say STOP! Strive to succeed, learn and grow and put in the work necessary to advance you to the next level. By doing this employers, colleagues and friends will take note that you are clearly the hardest worker in the room and there is a good chance you may even inspire them to do better or at minimum position yourself for continued success.