Do It Today: Overcome Procrastination, Improve Productivity, and Achieve More Meaningful Things

by Darius Foroux

If you read something you want to definitely remember, fold the top or bottom corner of the page. For digital readers: take a picture and store it in a notetaking app you prefer.

Take notes

You put in many hours to read books, make sure you get something out of it.

If you want to get shit done, you have to jump straight into the action.

You want to write down your thoughts to unload your RAM, which gives you more brainpower.

When it comes to work, I say no to everything that doesn’t support my goals and values.

Take A 5 Minute Break Every 30 To 45 Minutes

Eliminate Everything That Distracts You

I prefer a simple work and living environment. A desk, a laptop, and a notebook.

If you have recurring tasks, try to do as much of the same thing on one day.

Stop Consuming So Much Information

Create Routines

Don’t Multitask

To minimize that, turn off notifications, and check your email only twice a day on set times.

Take that first hour to think about the day ahead of you, read a book, enjoy your breakfast, coffee or tea.

Every night before I go to bed, I take 5 minutes to set my priorities (usually 3–4) for the next day. That makes me more focused when I wake up.

Don’t think too much. Just DO, and see what happens. If you like what you’re seeing, continue. If not, do something else.

Scientific research shows that regular exercise can make you happier, smarter, and more energetic.

So why do unnecessary things?

So act like one.

You Can Check Whether You Did The Right Things

Start with the classics. Listen to Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston. Watch movies by Alfred Hitchcock, Francis Ford Coppola. Read Ernest Hemingway, Harper Lee, Ralph Ellison. Go to the British Museum. Study Andy Warhol. Like millions of other people, you’ll be inspired by their work. And that will enrich your life.

But also focus on yourself. What are your hobbies? What’s something you want to learn more about? What did you dream of doing? Do those things.

Take 10 minutes every evening and plan your next day. Rearrange blocks if you must create time for other important things.

Use recurring blocks for recurring tasks. For instance, I’ve scheduled two hours to write my new book every Tuesday and Thursday. Don’t over-schedule. Realistically, you can’t be productive 10 hours straight. Give yourself some time between tasks. And always schedule more time than you think you need.

The amateur only works when inspiration strikes. The pro sits down every day and puts in steady work. The key is steady. Not irregular or extreme.

The solution is simple: Take a 5-minute break after every 30 minutes of work.

Use an app to set the 30-minute interval. I use Tomighty. Assign just one task to every 30-minute interval. Don’t skip your breaks. Don’t check your email during your break. Take a 15-minute break after 4 intervals. Don’t accept interruptions or false emergencies when you’re in a 30-minute stretch.

Set a daily goal. For example; doing 10 x 30-minute intervals results in 300 minutes of productive work.

Accept The Uncertainty

Know Your Direction. Not Your Destination.

So it’s not important to know exactly what you want to do with your life.

The only thing every person needs is a sense of direction. A vision of where you’d like to go.

Self-Discipline: Get better at ignoring the negative voice in your head. Get out of your bed. Go to the gym. Don’t listen to “I don’t want to.” Personal Effectiveness: Learn how to maximize the results you can get during the 16–18 hours you’re awake. Get more done — effectively. Communication: We think we’re all master communicators. But the truth is that we suck. Communication is both art and science. And our ability to work with others depends on it. Negotiation: You negotiate all the time. With your spouse, kids, parents, teachers, friends, co-workers, managers, etc. Learn to get the best deal for all parties. Persuasion: Learn how to get what you want in an ethical way.

Physical Strength & Stamina: Getting stronger is a skill. Pull your own weight. It’s something every human should be able to do. Flexibility: Sitting all day long behind your computer or in your car turns you into a stiff being. Learn how to stretch your hips, lower back, hamstrings, and calves — the most common weak points of desk workers.

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

That’s why the first rule of work is that we leave the office on time. The second rule is that we don’t take our work home.

What do you control? Essentially, we only control our own actions and mindset.

We determine our: Desire Attitude Judgments Determination

Made a mistake? Correct it. Something goes wrong? Find a solution.

Also, never be surprised when bad things happen. But rather expect them to happen. In that way, you will never be caught off guard.

Always keep a positive mindset.

You want to exercise, read, work, learn, study, every single day.

Yourself. Consciously improve your body and mind. Go to bed a little stronger and wiser every night.

Lastly, don’t try to be something you’re not.

So whatever you do, don’t stay in your comfort zone for too long. Try to keep moving forward every day: Even if it’s just a tiny step. No magic. Just effort.

The problem is that most of us lack belief.

Hope is not a strategy for

life.

“Belief will help create the fact.”

Belief is a practical instrument that you can use to shape reality.