What's Your 20?
Hey folks,
I was finding it hard to come up with a blog topic today because I am digging deep, taking massive action and focusing on the 20% of my efforts that will (hopefully) get me 80% of my results. I have already talked about both free writing and I believe a bit about mind mapping. These are the two main techniques I use to understand where I'm at, what I want to accomplish and how to go about it.
The process is pretty simple. I sit down and free write for 5 minutes or so (just to get my creative energy flowing). Then I write my most important focus in the center of a piece of paper. I draw an oval around my focus word and then let the words that follow flow from me rather than forcing myself to write down words. When I am finished my mind map, I usually have a decent understanding of the various steps I need to take.
Once I have my list of actions, I just sit with my list for a bit and contemplate what I've come up with. I usually come up with 20 or more action oriented steps, so there is a lot to work with. Most times, the least productive 5-7 steps are obvious, so I take them off my list. This leaves me with 13-15 steps which is still too much for one block of time. So I continue narrowing it down until I have 1-3 of the most important tasks written down.
Because I am a creative person, I usually do up a quick sketch that represents what I am about to accomplish. An external observer might think that creating a drawing has nothing to do with the tasks I need to complete and therefore, if they were in charge, my sketch and possibly even my free writing might be scratched off of my process to-do-list.
If there is one thing I know about myself it's this; if I don't prepare my mind for a productive journey in a way that feeds my soul, I will do busy work and get nothing of importance accomplished. If, however, I trust my creative process and do what works for me, I am capable of getting a seemingly insurmountable list of tasks done. I must admit that I have not been following my process as often since I joined WA. I'm not sure why but it is my intention to increase my productivity, so I will begin doing this daily.
I am always pleasantly surprised by how much I am able to get done with the right approach. So now that I shared my process, I would love to hear yours. If you don't have a process that works for you, I recommend developing one.
"What we call creative work, ought not to be called work at all, because it isn't. I imagine that Thomas Edison never did a day's work in his last fifty years." - Stephen Leacock
I hope you are having a wildly productive day!
In community
"Since new developments are the products of a creative mind, we must therefore stimulate and encourage that type of mind in every way possible."
Recent Comments
48
well,you have a unique technique of being creative, me,I AAHHH like to go for walks and record my thinking.
used to talk to myself while walking but people around me thought I was way crazy.
now with a phone in my hand they think I'm talking to someone,
so I concentrate deeper and when I get home its surprising what I record!!!!!
That is totally me lol! Should have heard me chat away to myself when I was building my desk...the kids thought I had lost it lol.
Very useful information you've shared here. Thanks so much. I'm new here and completely new to Internet Marketing. I don't have any strategy yet. I'm still going through the lessons but I'll definitely keep this method of yours in my mind.
That was a joy to read Joy :-) I am very bad at this sort of stuff so I am going to try your strategy and see where it takes me. Thank you for taking the time to share :-D
I love your thinking, the diagram makes total sense...I ONLY accomplish things if I follow my creative flow...some days I get stuck on my creative work and those are the days I use on learning and paperwork. Works for me.
Great job. ...i get stuck on writings all the time and at times it can be discouraging but reading your blog was a little helpful thank you for sharing
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very creative Thanks
Bpb,
:)