Just Do One Thing (It’s Fun, I Promise)

From One Thing Springs Greatness and Productivity...and this duck.

We are all too busy- at least in our minds. How much time have you spent THINKING about the stuff you had to do, the stuff you didn’t do and the stuff you should have done yesterday? Probably too much.

I find that most people have two issues. (I include myself in “most people”)

First off, they are procrastinators. They put off what they know they should be doing for temporary comfort. This usually comes in the form of pain avoidance. Instead of making that phone call they need to, or working on that book, they instead do something trivial like look for a new website script (that they really don’t need that minute) so they can feel busy, or they completely avoid what they need to do by engaging in various diversions.

Secondly, most people have no structure whatsoever to their day. This can be especially jarring for people who are making the transition from being a full-time employee to being self-employed as they are used to having a set schedule but are now thrown into freedom. Even those who work outside the home often return home at the end of the day and take up sort of an aimless existence now that their “work day” is over.

I firmly believe that the biggest enemy any of us face as we strive towards our goals is ourselves. It’s our own emotions and ego that often create the biggest roadblocks to success. So, what do we do about it?

My solution to the issue of poor time management and the unfocused life is this: Reserve time every day for one structured event. This event should occur at the same time every day and you must adhere to this time strictly! Start at the same time, stop at the same time. Here’s the thing- this isn’t something you do each day that you hate. I’m not talking about jogging, or balancing your checkbook, or anything you find at all boring or tedious or stressful. This is something fun and interesting.

Why?

I’ve discovered by having just ONE scheduled and structured part of my day that I will be forced to have a more productive day and create an effective schedule. I must anticipate that event and plan around it, and I will be re-energized once that event is over.

Here is the most important part of the scheduled event. While you are doing it, you’ve given your mind complete permission to not think about anything else. You don’t need to think about making that phone call, filing those forms, writing that article etc. because you are completely allowed to only be interested in ONE thing at that point. Give yourself permission to enjoy that one event each day.

So, what kind of “event” am I talking about? That’s up to you but my rule is that it must be an ACTIVE and not passive activity. Playing video games and watching TV is out. Reading is good. Learning a skill is the best. Always wanted to play piano? Learn guitar? Write poetry? Paint a picture? Learn Russian? Then that’s a great starting point. Your event could be learning a new language from a home study course every day from 6:00-6:45. That event is set in stone. Nothing barring emergencies moves it. You do it every day.

I promise if you do one thing every day that you find enjoyable and stimulating and you make yourself keep that schedule, soon you will find yourself scheduling your other work activities around your event. Soon you will be more productive in all areas of life. You will look forward to that event and hopefully you will also learn a new skill and lower your overall stress level.

Try it- Just do one thing. Each day.