Productivity doesn’t suggest that you get the right things done. It just means you get a lot of stuff done. But that’s not what matters.

From Darius Foroux

The reason I research productivity is simple. I think that a productive life equals a happy life.

Also, if you’re more productive than average people, you’ll advance faster in your career. You learn more. You do more. And eventually are rewarded more.

And when I talk about productivity, I talk about being effective.

Because productivity doesn’t suggest that you get the right things done. It just means you get a lot of stuff done. But that’s not what matters.

Effectiveness, however, refers to getting the right things done.

And if you want to do your job well, earn money, live a meaningful life, or learn skills, that is what matters the most. Otherwise, you just run around in circles. You might appear busy, but you won’t achieve anything meaningful.

In other words: It’s easy to do useless work. Work that doesn’t bring you closer to the outcomes you desire.

Results matter the most.

Practically, that means this: You might work for 50 hours a week, but if you don’t experience any growth personally, emotionally, financially, you’re not effective.

People often ask me, “where do I begin?” To answer that question, I want to share one exercise that I teach in my productivity course, Procrastinate Zero.

It’s an exercise that I picked up from Peter Drucker’s The Effective Executive. To me, Drucker is the first and best thinker when it comes to effectiveness for knowledge workers.

Many of the books, articles, productivity tools, and productivity apps you see these days are all in a way influenced by Drucker, who essentially invented the term personal effectiveness.

What you will find next is a simple exercise from The Effective Executive (which I modified slightly to make it easier) that you can apply to become more effective yourself.

Step 1: Know Thy Time

I often hear people saying: “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I keep procrastinating.”

My question is: “Do you know thy time?”

If you don’t measure your time, it’s tough to stop procrastination or improve your productivity. Because if you want to manage your time better, you have to know where it goes first.

Your memory is not sufficient. If I asked you what you were doing exactly one week ago at this time, would you have an answer? There you go.

How do you know your time? Keep an activity log.

Before I even have a real session with clients, I often ask them to keep an activity log for two weeks. An activity log is exactly what you imagine — an hour by hour record of what you’re doing throughout the day.

The specific method you use for your activity log doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that you want to keep a record for at least two weeks. Preferably, you want a whole month of recorded activities.

I just keep a pen and a notepad on my desk and every hour I write down the time and what I’ve done during the past hour. It’s important to keep the notebook visible, so you don’t forget.

Step 2: Identify The Non-Productive Work

This step is actually very simple. I just have one question for you:

“Go through all the recurring activities in your log one by one. What would happen if you would stop doing them?”

If the answer is: “All hell breaks loose.” Don’t change anything.

But if your answer is: “Nothing would happen.” You’ve hit gold.

We all do activities that have ZERO return. I call those activities time-wasters.

Step 3: Eliminate The Time-Wasters

Boom. That’s it. Know where your time goes. Identify the critical tasks from the trivial tasks in your life. And cut the trivial, time-wasting, tasks.

“That simple?” Yes.

If you want to be a super effective person, you regularly keep a log. You don’t have to keep a log for 365 days a year.

Instead, do two stretches of two-three weeks a year. That’s enough to keep track of your time and identify new time-wasters.

Also, the additional benefit of such a simple exercise is that it forces you to think about your daily routine.

Often, we start time-wasting activities, and they become habits. And if you don’t become aware of the pointless behavior, it’s difficult to break those bad habits.

I’ve found this exercise to be one of the most powerful things in productivity.

Start now. Your activity log probably looks something like this:

  • (insert time) — Read Darius Foroux’ article about keeping a time-log and started my own time-log.
  • (insert time) — Turned off my phone and got back to (whatever you were working on).
  • (insert time) — Browsed the news, Facebook, Instagram. And watched YouTube videos. (Be honest with yourself. Shit happens).
  • (insert time) — responded to emails.

Great. I’m happy to see that you started. Now keep going for another two weeks.

5 thoughts on “How to Stop Wasting Time and Improve Your Personal Effectiveness”
  1. Thanks to The Select and Spiritual Production!!!
    LBRC- Thank you fellow Brothers and Sisters!!!

    1. Why does Hosea 4:6 say- “My” people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge and if they deny knowledge, I will deny them”? 

    a. Apostate Preachers hardly ever read the passages ‘Dat follow 4:6!

    b. In 2019, unqualified School Teachers are inflicting “Mental Wounds” incapable to heal like physical ones! Too many kids are as ignorant, vulgar and filthy as ever! Their filthy  parents are uneducated and educated fools ‘stunting life! Most have a “literally” worthless net worth! Having said this, they ask for a solution but they have already committed the “The Deadliest of Sins Unforgivable by The Most High”! “They” have not only blasphemed His Name, but have convinced others and the the simple minded, wise in their own eyes to do the same and caused them to stumble! They embrace “Spiritual Poverty”! “To be cut off from resources only The Most High Can Deliver”, meaning- “The Select” are supported of  “Discernment” which allows them to “Spiritually Navigate” aka led to all the “Physical Resources” they will never need to include but not limited to “Food or Gold” for safe uncorrupted substance! “YOU WILL NEVER SEE A SELECT BEGGING BREAD”!

    2. In 2019, ignorance and frankly stupidity reign! Generations of lost have bred generations more egregious than the last! Children rape children in schools and adults rape the children who rape! Children assault children in “Schools” while uncertified and unqualified so- called teachers look on and lost parents couldn’t care less about the kids they Pimp for Satan’s pittance resources, which will be pulled during “Tribulation”! 

    3. The “Select” are told- “Never be weary in well doing” (They’ll laugh and scoff at you! They’ll deny and persecute you and you’ll never get their vote, neither did The Christ, Barabus the thief did! Their end is not only destruction, but eternal! What else?

    a. They’ll be put on a “Wonder about you” and how your countenance remains so clear and positive!

    b. Because most are illiterate and “Very” jealous and envious, they’ll despise what you “Have and Know”! 

    c. “A Sudden Loud Noise is a Disturbance of ‘Dat Peace”, why the ignorant are generally loud, pushy and determined to disturb yours! Like your Grandma told you- “Misery loves company”! 

    d. They tried to deny you, likewise like they do The Most High! Those with eyes cannot see and ears not hear!!!

    d. Remember these- They will  pursue you until the end!  “Resist and they will flee”! They want to be near to you when the end comes- “For a time, the door to your 2019 Arc was open. Once it started to close though slowly, it draws close to shut while you’re looking out from the Vineyard you’ve transplanted inside!

    Continue to “Look up”! You have not Blasphemed, you do not suffer for lack! You know!!!  “Your Redemption” draws nigh!!!  They never got wisdom in counsels of Fools! Duh…?

    Peace…

     

  2. You know nothing until you watch this “Full” video! Your kids will get this even if you can’t!

    LBRC- Rarely Are We in Awe of a Video Documentary by a “Respected and Certified Genius”! He Explains How Music Manipulates Destruction (We Totally Agree). This Video is a “Must See” for “Every Black Human” even Kids. Lots of Kids are “Gifted” and Lots will Comprehend what Lots of Adults Can’t! 

    This Video Even Addresses “Willie Lynch” as a “Tonal” Message” on par with MK ultra! 

    1. Watch the “Entire Video” even if in parts for average Intellects!!!

    2. We (Along With Gifted Kids Watched and were impressed by what kids took away and how they analyzed what many adults have no clue about- Fundamental “Music Psychology” they “Get It”! Lots are accomplished Musicians!!!

    3. You know nothing until you “Watch This”! “Make Your Teenage Kids Watch This in Full” or if you have nieces and nephews who are average and especially gifted! This Video is “PG” so “You View it 1st” as a “Mature” Adult, Chronological and in lots of cases “Mentally”!!! The Speaker is a Psychology “Genius” who comprehends how to break Music and Mind Manipulation in easy terms!!!

    “Do This for your Family and Extended Family”!!!

    Go to YouTube and Type in-

    “The Calculated Destruction of The Black Man and Woman FULL” 

    or go here in your menu>>>

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9JZzvoQVmC0

    Pass This on, Peace Out…

  3. Spring Hill University Scholarly Book Lecture and Series- The Empirical Record says? “Who is White Trash”? The Historical Record says? Personal Extrapolations on Negro Coons ?

    LBRC- This is a must read for American Caucasians and especially and Negroes!!! This is a Scholarly Study of “Class and Caste in America.  Who Coined The Term “White Trash”? Did You Know this has “British Class” Hierarchy/Genetic Roots? What are origins of “Southern Whites”/Confederates? The Empirical Record says? Also on: YouTube Spring Hill University Scholar Series-  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_cPII2l-K4s

    1. Spring Hill College is sponsoring a “Scholarly” Series on origins of American “Caste”! In “To Kill a Mocking Bird”, Nelle Harper Lee, details about “The Actual Murderer” (Robert E. Lee Yull in the Book- The Defective Southern Town Trash and “Terminally Poor or Waste People or “Rascals” a term meaning Trash) reveals why “The Innocent Black Man” (Who everybody knew was innocent!) was prosecuted in place of “The White Trash” and so- called “Cracker” (Another British Caste Term) who in the Book lived behind a “Dump” and “The Arthur Harper Lee described as “Dump Pickers”!

    2. “Southern Whites” were regarded as a “Curious Species” of Whites whose complexion was “Tacky” and whose kids were poor in health and were Low Class former “indentured Servants”- Go to “Spring Hill College 35 Portier Lecture: “White Trash” The 400 Year History of Class in America” and discussion of The Book “White Trash”. Who was really considered The Superior Class in America vs the Poor Southern “Mud Sills”? Lincoln was considered President of The Mud Sills, due to his Kentucky Roots!

    3. The “Red Neck” term referred those Whites closely associated to “The Swamp”! #45 aka Trump is a “Mud Sill” and has Indentured Servant “Roots” despite all his proclamations and to the contrary. #45’s Roots are correlated to his so- called “Base”!

    *You might believe this Book and Lecture Series is beyond the pale and is a hoax, however-

    a. Initially the British intended America to be a “Superior Class” via “Eugenics”! but Southern Whites took a “Wrong Turn” on the Genetics Scale and were initially targeted for “Sterilization”, Virginians were considered the initial Shiftless and targets  Buck vs Bell”, 1927, “The Perfect Specimen of White Trash” who tested technical Moron and whose mother was a prostitute and who Oliver Wendell Homes believed should be sterilized!

    b. The American Experiment and the “Peculiar Institution” of Southern Slavery morphed into “The Attempt of White Mud Sills” to elevate to levels of “Acceptability” and later above “Mississippi Trailer Trash” types later in The 1950’s aka Mobile Home migratory “Poppers” mainly Southerners!

    View the Data and Historical Record and synthesize the “Historical” record and info. What are the origins and real meaning of “States Craft”!

    “ALL THINGS HAVE ORIGINS”! Learn the truth! 

    btw- Who ‘luvs ‘Massa? “Black Trash”? Yes, there is also a so- called “Black Caste”! Not all Blacks are considered “King and Queen Stock”! More on this is available elsewhere and on “The Scholar Circuit”! btw- Louisiana, “Duck Dynasty” is your what, they confess “Red Ned” aka Mud Sills? What are real “University Scholars” saying minus “Diversion” and bias?

    Who is the Perennial ‘Massa of so- called “Negro Coons”, a Scholarly Study? Guess what, Megan has no so- called “Trash British Roots”, according to who? Hmmm…, Examine the record and research yourself! 

    Peace Out…

  4. Don’t count on “Incompetent” City Agencies! How to Avert more flooding in NOLA? Average Citizens can do these!

    LBRC- Helpful Hints to Avert The Next “Mother’s Day Flooding”! From a Home Grown NOLA?

    1. If 60% of NOLA Residents “Landscaped and Planted Small Gardens” around their homes, at least 40% of the water from rainfall aka “Runoff” would be absorbed by plant roots and cause “Transpiration” aka force water back out into the atmosphere via Stoma!

    2. More Trees must be planted on “Neutral Grounds”/Crape Myrtle? (Trees Absorb Tons of Water and “Transpire”)! We suggested this to Park and Parkways years back to Ann McDonald, Park and Parkways, and tried via phone- We saved evidence! Can’t wait until all the “Old Heads” are gone! Ann responds vigorously to other interest, we wondered  why? Chopping down trees in some neighborhoods in NOE and non “Replacement” appear to be her forte, especially In some sections of NOE! We planted our own trees in places and Ann’s people removed ‘Dem (Remember when we asked you why Ann? Try hard to remember! Need Help? Ask her if she remembers our protestations out in NOE? Give us some Pontifications or have your supporters give ’em!

    3. Require some Downtown Developments to maintain “Roof Top Gardens”, especially Restaurant interest, thus reducing more harmful “Run Off”! When we sued S&WB circa 1998 invoking the present “Consent Decree”, EPA- We suggested this! Honestly, idiots find Fundamental Science “Comprehension” exceptionally challenging! Didn’t call no names yet, except Ann’s. Call Ann and hear her side to be fair. How long has she been there? Oh well…? Until more…?

    Peace Out…

  5. LBRC- Here’s an “Addendum” about how to “abate” more “Mother’s Day and other Flooding”! Somebody asked why we mentioned a Crape Murtle. Here’s why-

    Observations after Hurricane Katrina-

    1. When we returned home and after, some plants out and out died out. Which did we notice appeared dead but returned? Which never withered and even came back stronger?

    a. Craype Myrtle! 

    b. Banana Plants and Trees

    c. Cana- most Varities 

    d. NOLA Schools 2019 are poor ones. If they weren’t you would know about this next one aka “Fleur de Leis”! These should be a part of every NOLA Garden because most are Salt Toleratant! They’ll retreat with “Rains With Salt”- But will return to see another day!

    e. We noticed lots more. There are heaps of Saline Tolerant Plants which will absorb and assist in eleminating rains “Laced” with Salt, like Hurricane Rains laced with Salt from The Gulf! Think? 

    2. Why are salt tolerant Plants essential to NOLA Gerdens? 

    a. Your Hurricanes are laced with “Salt H2O”! Salty H2O destroys most plants. The Most High gave us defences! Not all Plants are Salt Tolerant and will die off when exposed. The U.S. Mid- Section hardly needs a lot of Salt Tolerant Flora. 

    b. Winds from The Gulf also carry “Salt Only” minus negiligable H2O amounts, Therefore, lots of Plants die from “Gulf Winds” only! 

    3. Though NOLA pays lots in taxes and fees and your Politicos “Retire” with 10X to 20X what you will, you would be foolish not to attempt to take personal precautions for what they were paid to do. NOLA voting and non voting easily duped ‘Simps will always outnumber you! You ‘luv NOLA and want to stay! Okay- “Do it yourself”! Duh?… 

    Peace Out…

     

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