By Terez Hartmann
As coaches, leaders and mentors, the greatest service and teaching tool we can offer is our own examples of moving forward and thriving.
Activity vs. Productivity
We humans are great at doing things. As a matter of fact, we can get so good at “doing” that the activity that fills our lives can actually cause us to forget why we started “doing” in the first place, losing sight of the things that truly matter.
Productivity is not just about checking things off the “To Do” list and moving stuff from pile “A” to pile “B”; rather, it is a way of focusing your attention and action so that the things that make a real difference in your life get the love and attention they deserve. Another beautiful thing about productivity—it gives you energy rather than taking energy!
But with so much data coming at us from so many directions, telling us what we “should” be doing at any given time, sometimes it is a massive challenge to differentiate between the things that actually move us forward versus what just keeps us spinning our wheels.
1 + 1 = 11?
Another awesome benefit of acting and feeling productive is the electricity of flow that can and will occur. And the more productive you feel, the more it energizes your mind, body and spirit, which allows you to accomplish even more, to become even more open to solutions/inspiration and (those who understand Law of Attraction know this) to even attract more ideas, people and events that are a match to your productive vibe!
I can recall so many times when I was happily moving forward in flow that the person I needed to call would call me, the things that I was searching for found me, and the opportunities I thought I had to chase were presented to me in the most extraordinary ways. It is truly astonishing to see the infinite possibilities that can unfold when you are in a state of true productivity.
Like the idea of experiencing real motion forward and enjoying the leverage of time well spent? Give these ideas a spin!
Put the “big rocks” in first. Many years ago I discovered a life-changing analogy: Let’s say that your life/your available time in a day is a container of some kind that you fill with a combination of:
→Big rocks: The things that matter most
→Pebbles: Things that are still somewhat important
→Sand: The “filler material”/distractions of day-to-day life
If you fill the container with the sand first, you can probably get a few pebbles in, but there is little to no room left for the big rocks. But, if you put the big rocks in first, the pebbles and sand can simply fill in around them. In short, if you fill your days (and your precious life) with the most life-giving things (actions that feed well-being, positive connection and authentic success), imagine how much more meaningful and productive your life could be. What are your big rocks?
1. Take a moment right now to make a note of five things you can do to really move forward in each of these life areas:
→Health and Wellness (Body, Mind and Spirit)
→Relationships
→Home and Daily Life
→Career/Creativity and Finances
→Adventures and Experiences
2. Choose one action item in each category (or any combination of five items) that feels the most doable and achievable now and create a “Fab Five” Focus List of the five things that you ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY intend to do THIS week.
3. Get into productive action and make it your mission to complete your “Fab Five” this week.
4. If more than five items feel important, create “bonus items” as inspired. Let these be the icing on the cake that only add to your sense of accomplishment, but that are more flexible in nature (things that are not life-altering if they don’t get done this week).
5. On a chosen day each week (Sunday evening/Friday afternoon/etc.), update this list every week based on your priority items the life areas above.
By carving out time to identify, prioritize and address the “big rocks” of your life first, you set powerful wheels in motion that feed true productivity, fill your life with more of what you want to experience and invoke the magic of life to provide all manner of bonuses, upgrades and happy surprises.
The Bottom Line: The MAGIC of Productivity
Imagine creating a world—one person and one community at a time—that is conducive to forward motion for all. As coaches, leaders and mentors, the greatest service and teaching tool we can offer is, was, and always has been our own examples. And in these times of dynamic and unprecedented change, we all benefit from getting to be and see people who are still finding ways to thrive and move forward, as this provides a true lifeline and spark of hope for all who are open to it.
May you be that bright light in your community who has discovered your “big rocks” and who knows, firsthand, the far-reaching benefits and MAGIC of productivity.
Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann is a Visionary Creative & top-rated instructor, Law of Attraction & Allowing YOUR Success specialist, published author, speaker, singer-songwriter, recording & performing artist & composer, “Catalyst for Fab-YOU-lous” and true Renaissance Woman who has already helped over 10,000 students in over 130 countries allow success and live life on FIRE. She is deeply passionate about helping other Powerful Creatives and Leading-Edge Thinkers live unique, empowered lives on their terms by cultivating the courage to dream, to express themselves boldly & authentically, and to focus Onward, Upward and Forward into new possibilities. http://www.terezfirewoman.com