Late last year I had done a lot of reading on zenhabits, and other minimalst goal setting websites that talked about setting only minimal goals, in fact some even advocated setting just one goal and working on that until it’s done. So when it came time for me to draw out what I wanted to accomplish in 2009, and write down some goals, I thought I would try the simplistic, minimalist method. I thought about it long and hard and came up with one, over arching goal for the year:
Ask myself a dozen times a day (roughly once every waking hour) “Is what I’m doing right now helping, encouraging, building up, or prolonging at least one of 3 things: 1) Wife/Family 2) Friends/People 3) Business/Work?”
That was my goal. My single big fat goal for 2009. At the time I thought it would be great to just have one goal – a nobile goal, that really encapsulated what I wanted to accomplish in 2009. Although I still think this is a great goal, and worthy of executing, what I soon realized is that having a single, large goal is not really for me. I actually need a larger list, with items I can check off as I complete them. Even for longer term goals, I need a list. I work better with a list. The minimalist idea might work for some, but for me, I need more specific goals, and quantifiable achievements. So I learned a valuable lesson: The biggest key to my own productivity and goal setting is doing it my way – What feels best to me.
I can’t over emphazise this fact enough. Almost 100% of the time when I try to emulate another persons planning style or productivity routine two things happen: 1) I end up more focused on the routine than actually getting things done. and 2) I end up fighting my own instincts, and personality and end up trying to follow another person’s instincts and personality.
But, when I focus on my own ways of doing things, and what feels natural to me, something magical starts to happen:
- I get things done in half the time, because the routine for doing them is personal and instinctive.
- Some stuff starts to get done by habit, which makes it easier, and faster.
- My personal integrity and power to accomplish grow because I’m listening and obeying my instinct.
- I build a powerful toolbox of productivity routines.
These are some of the benefits, I’m sure there are more. Ultimately our goal should be happiness and peace. These seem to come best when we are setting and accomplishing our goals. I’ve found that when it comes time to set and accomplish goals, what works best is what works most naturally for you.
I believe every successful person has a toolbox of productivity systems, and things they do that bring the most success into their lives. Some use electronic note keepers, some live and breath by their blackberry, the calendar, notes, etc. Some do everything on paper. The list is endless. But the bottom line is that each person who has a successful system, and has used it to bring them success has done so by personally refining that system, and truly making it their own.
So what can you do to actively tap into your own productivity tool kit? In a word, listen. Listen to your gut – your instinct, to what feels right. You may feel very comfortable using a pen and paper…if you’re like me, you hate using them because your mind is always telling you “it takes too long”, “it’s not sortable or searchable”, “I can’t read it easily”, etc. If that’s the case, scrap the paper and pencil and try a PDA instead. Try using electronic tools such as Outlook, Evernote or Remember The Milk. Try planning out the day in the morning, if that doesn’t work, try it the evening the day before. Try making one big goal for the year, if that doesn’t work make a list of smaller goals. But don’t focus on the system or the tool. Focus on what feels right, and what works for you. When my mind is constantly battling the productivity tool or system I’m trying to use, I know it’s not a good idea. However if my instinct and conscience feel good, and the tool is working, chances are it’s a keeper – something for my toolbox.
“Now, remember, Pinocchio, be a good boy. And always let your conscience be your guide. “ – Pinocchio
The old familiar words of Jiminy Cricket come to mind. There is so much truth and power to just listening to your conscience and knowing what your gut instinct is. In fact, the older I get, the more I realize how true this is. It even applies to our modern day productivity and planning tools. Every successful person has a productivity system and toolbox, what’s yours?
