How many times do you look at your phone every day? I average 40 pickups throughout the day. But I don’t use my phone just to pass the time while waiting, and you shouldn’t either. Instead, use your phone to help you focus and be productive.
Strategic thinking and building effective habits are two skills I help leaders strengthen in our online and in-person coaching program. (Take a free assessment on those skills at www.wmck.co/tmag918.)
I’m sure you’re hoping to achieve on your strategic plan for this year. But you’re going to need more than just time to get it all done. Here’s a quick True or False test: “Today, I spent 30 minutes focused on a task in alignment with a yearly goal.”
If your answer is “False,” here’s your opportunity to grow: Change what you see, and you’ll change what you do…Next.
That word, “Next,” is the KEY to your productivity. Don’t plan what to do later or tomorrow or next week. For this exercise, build a trigger for what to do next.
Here’s an idea that works well: Open your notebook and write five SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely) goals to achieve by December 31. Take a picture of your goals and set that image as the wallpaper on your smartphone. (I’ll help if you contact me!) So every time you look at your phone, you see your goals. Daily, you just need that image to change one or two of your “Next” actions to be more productive. How’s that for ringing in the New Year?
