Have you heard of the 10/10/10/10 strategy? It can be a powerful tool to use when stress or indecision get in the way of your productivity!
What one thing, if accomplished today, would make the biggest difference, or simplify things for you 10 days, 10 weeks, 10 months or 10 years from now?
Are you spinning your wheels rather than reaching your goals?
When we spend time sweating the small stuff, we expend time and energy that we could be directing toward our goals. Next time you’re caught in the web of worry, try to channel your efforts productively. Try the 10/10/10/10 strategy! When you aren’t spending much of your energy each day trying to figure out what you should do but instead have organized systems and routines in place that help you accomplish necessary tasks and make decisions, you have more energy available for creative efforts and deep work. Your mind is freer of clutter when you let routine help shape your day.
Practicing daily habits and routines is one of our favorite productivity strategies to teach our clients. They add a sense of reliability to your day so no matter how many risks you take, your habits will support you. When you need to reset your day and move forward, try these daily routines to get you started:
Morning exercise
There’s no disputing it – exercise offers tremendous benefits to our bodies, brains, and lives. Regular exercise is an imperative tool. Sweat every day and release those feel-good brain chemicals! If this is hard to do because you have no energy and you’re emotionally tired, take an introspective walk. Get some fresh air and a little movement – it can help a lot. Exercise helps with brain fog, stress relief, and boosts your energy levels throughout the day. Exercise also enhances your creativity. It allows you to learn things more quickly, sharpens your memory and improves concentration. All of these benefits are important when effectively dealing with negative emotions or hurt.
Practicing gratitude
Studies have shown a correlation between gratitude and improved health, but did you know that taking just a couple of minutes each day to practice gratitude also help you to be more productive at work and at home? Beyond making you more productive, practicing gratitude makes you feel less stressed and can help you to sleep better at night. When you are relaxed and well-rested, you will be more effective and efficient at carrying out tasks and achieving goals.
Set small goals
Set small goals to complete every day until they become productive, healthy habits, routines or rituals. Soon these small tasks or goals will be second nature for you. These habits will be there for you to rely on when the going gets tough. Great results can often come from doing less and just taking the first step.
Identify your biggest priority and do it first
When you’re looking at a long, potentially overwhelming to-do list, how do you decide what to tackle? Identify the highest priority and focus on that, to the exclusion of all else until it is done. Doing so will create accomplishment and momentum to your day so that you’re ready to jump on the next few priorities. Trouble deciding what the highest priority is? Use the 10/10/10/10 strategy: what one thing, if accomplished today, would make the biggest difference, or simplify things for your work or your life 10 days, 10 weeks, 10 months or 10 years from now? What one thing can you do to move you closer to your goals right now?
Don’t sweat the small stuff
When you run into tough situations, or are faced with making a decision, instead of panicking, ask yourself, “will it matter in 10 days, 10 months, 10 weeks, or 10 years?” Chances are it won’t. Don’t sweat the small stuff and keep your eye on the big picture. Remember the time and energy spent on stressing over something can be better redirected toward productively moving through it.
Whether you are trying to move on from a mistake, get past and productively move forward when something doesn’t go your way, or prioritize the best use of your time and energy on any given day or season of life or work, ask yourself if it is worth the time and energy today. What one thing can you do today to make everything else you need to do easier today, tomorrow and in the future?
Through our various individual coaching, group membership or team training programs, Simply Placed can help bring productive strategies into your life to help you maximize your time and energy toward reaching your goals. Schedule your free, no-risk Discovery Call today to explore the possibilities!
