Be Happier, Have More Energy and Think Clearer
You have worked very hard to get where you are. But are you happy?
It's too common for many to have so many essential demands on their time and energy, pulling them in multiple directions.
It's also common to think that our tasks, self-imposed deadlines, and all our other deliverables and requirements include burnout, having no time, and struggling with a near-constant "running on empty" feeling.
It doesn't have to be that way!
You can regain your energy to achieve heightened and sustained clarity and focus on everything you do. You can increase your productivity to get more done in less time to advance your business while regaining personal freedom.
Everything starts with energy.
According to wellness expert Janet McKee (a certified Holistic Health Counselor from Columbia University), anyone can have more energy, clearer thinking, more and higher-quality output, and greater happiness if they:
- Set intentions and goals for the day: Have a clear plan for each day with identified "must-dos."
- Avoid starting with email: Own your mornings! Your inbox contains other people's agendas.
- Establish clear priorities, agendas, and timeframes: Use this when involved in your meetings so they get to the point.
- Fully engage in each activity: No multitasking. Divided attention logically doesn't produce results as good as your full attention.
- Use the power of visualization: Picture success. Live as if your goals have been achieved, and the confidence and energy will follow. See yourself where you want to be; you've got to visualize the path to success to track it!
Another point that occurred to me while reading this that hit home for me was how important it is to do things you enjoy!
It will keep you focused, energized, and clear-minded.
To me, that is the fastest way to feel more motivated and excited about life and to be more productive and successful.
You may not know this about me, but I love golfing and being outside, walking the dog, or bike riding.
Those are my "balance finding" activities (these all help me stop and to clear my mind).
... Have you made sure you have allowed yourself to have yours?
As always, your feedback and comments are welcome!
Thank you for reading this blog...wishing all a VERY productive week!
-Mike
Recent Comments
46
That's a great list here Mike!
The one that resonates most with me is the multitasking...
I know it is more beneficial to focus on one thing at a time and do it well until moving on to the next task...
But I still find myself occasionally jumping between tasks without actually finishing many of them off! (I am getting better though)!
Having "balance finding" activities are essential to... well finding balance in our lives!
I too love to be outdoors and walking my pup is the number one activity that helps me to clear my mind and reset my friend!
I think the list is simple, but I hope to shine a light on some things we may view as simple tasks and show how they could distract us from doing more output that could result in more $$$, and, hopefully, more time as we grow our business.
The multitasking and email items struck me and are areas I need to work on.
-Mike
I agree that the list is simple Mike, and I am all for keeping things as simple as possible ( many over complicate things for absolutely no reason in my opinion)!
I totally agree that we shouldn't waste time doing things that hinder our ability to make progress (SOS) and should always focus more on what is important for our businesses!!
Nice one, Mike! I'll be happy as I start the new month and find out that I can make it to the next one still solvent, my friend!
Jeff
I might have the courage, what I need is the luck, my friend! Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Jeff
I like the ideas she has, but I usually do my email in the mornings, and then it's done, and since I do my site on WA, then it reminds me that what I need to get done.
However, some of the advice doesn't work as well with me, because my brain seems to be wired differently than others, like it's hard for me to prioritize my goals if I have more than three. However if I have one main goal, like to complete a task for the OEC, then I focus on that. Timeframes are a disaster for me unless I only work with one or two tasks and a rough deadline. I don't think these are written with ADHD in mind, so I need to find workarounds. (Neurodiverse vs neurotypical)
As far as multi-tasking, I find, for me, if I listen to Kirtan chants(devotional music in Hindu and Sikhism while writing a post, it helps focus my mind on writing the post, but not all the time. It depends on how tired I am. I do have to take frequent breaks though. I have this issue with hyperfocusing on the wrong things.
However, thanks for the list. It still helps. :)
I think we all need to find what works for each of us...after all, we're all different - and wired differently.
However, I did find that if I started (while in corporate America or retired and working on WA & building an online business) with doing email, I was much less productive doing the things that would make money and instead doing things that pleased others.
While I certainly do not ignore emails and place a high priority on them -- working for me and getting S**T done, I have learned, is far more pleasing and rewarding.
If that made any sense???
-Mike
I agree. At the end of the day, the focus needs to be to get stuff done (or favorite 4 letter word ;) ) in the best way possible and realistic for us. I unsubscribed to a lot of stuff prior to my cataract surgery, and most of it, I didn't resubscribe, because I just don't have the time and didn't miss it as much as I expected to. Also, at the end of the day, it has to be the agenda that is best for us and ours. :) Thanks, Mike!
Yes so true! I agree 1000%. We need to find what works for us, so that we can be helpful and get stuff done for our businesses.
-Mike
It's a great post in theory.
I just wonder what kind of lifestyle Janet McKee has.
Does she have a 4 yr old, a 6 week old and husband to wrangle?
Is her husband working full time at a job that really doesn't tolerate time off for "family situations", and I don't mean picnics.
It's very easy for people in glass houses to posture a perfect scenario.
However, someone needs to stand up to the "real" daily grind of the "regular people".
1. How can one set intentions for the day when they have children and toddlers, teens and their issues, elderly parents that might need assistance, etc.?
I realize setting a goal is the intent, but it's hypothetically inaccurate.
2. One can't abolish email as the starting point. It may be the only structured element in the day. It is the nexus of the daily schedule. It is going to set the tone for the next 12 hours.
3. Meetings? who has time for meetings? ok.... anyone with full time child/house/social- obligation-attending spouses/partners or nannies, can have meetings. Or unless you work in outside the home, or in a private room in the home that you've put the fear of God in if anyone opens the door. Our 4 year old will barely let us have our ONE cup of [preferred morning beverage] in peace.
4. When a 4 year old demands you be Peppa Pig and family, you dang well better be Peppa Pig. You "might" get them distracted for an hour while you cram everything you have to do into that hour, but that doesn't even take into consideration the demands/requirements a 6 week old needs.
5. The power of visualization is really the only good thing in her list. You visualize how you want the day to go, you do everything you can to reach goal no. 1 and everything else is gravy.
I don't mean to be a negative Nancy. I'm honestly a very up-beat person.
But, I am really tired of the candy coated rhetoric of the internet.
I'm going to make this affiliate marketing work for me, but I am never going to tell someone it's easy and all you have to do is "work at it".
It's damn hard. It takes special people who have a vision, who have a dream, who have hope. And a lot of luck.
When I represent affiliate marketing, I'm going to present it in an intriguing light, but I'm going to be open and honest about this journey.
Goals met are commendable! Levels reached are fought hard for and deserve accolades!
We all work freaking hard trying to figure it all out. Most of us just starting out with a computer and a glimmer of hope.
I apologize if I have offended anyone or the process in general, but I think even the experts here will agree that they didn't get where they are on the easy boat.
They had to row. In a river full of crocodiles. On a stormy night. In the snow. With no heat source...uphill. In addition, against people they thought were their allies, shooting arrows at them from the banks.
I love you all and derive so much inspiration from your posts! I'm lifted up each and every day by the positive energy here.
But I'm going to be real to myself and admit the process is not as easy as it's hyped. In the real world, shit happens 24/7 with no warning, with no consideration to your "schedule" unless you live alone, or you have someone with you who will pick up the slack life lays down.
Just keeping it real,
Tami
Yeah, a lot of this advice seems to be written for someone who has the money and ideal life, but most of us have to really work at it. Yes, it's hard, and harder for some than for others, but that makes the victories sweeter than if it comes easy. We value it more, and it means more to us, and it spurs us to greater victories and success than someone who never has a problem, whose hair is always perfect and whose teeth are always sparkling white. I try to keep it realistic too, Tami!
I think we all need to find what works for each of us...after all, we're all different - and wired differently.
However, I did find that if I started (while in corporate America or retired and working on WA & building an online business) with doing email, I was much less productive doing the things that would make money and instead doing things that pleased others.
While I certainly do not ignore emails and place a high priority on them -- working for me and getting S**T done, I have learned, is far more pleasing and rewarding.
If that made any sense???
-Mike
Exactly! We all have different circumstances, are wired differently, and make unpredictable choices.
My point being that there really isn’t a perfect pattern for getting work done. Suggestions are great; we can take them or leave them, build on them or take them verbatim.
That doesn’t matter, it is what it is. What does matter - and it’s going on in every aspects of our daily lives - is presenting a concept as the perfect answer, knowing it is unrealistic.
No one’s wood floors are dust free.
The grease gunk remover solvent doesn’t remove the gunk like magic.
Command hooks don’t hold. 😆
Tami
Thank you, Tami!
You are 1000% right; there are no dust-free wood floors; if anything, wood floors show the dust more!
I also agree that there is no magic potion or perfect way to get work done.
Suggestions are great, but we need to find what works for us!
-Mike
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Thank you for sharing, Mike,
I have to put this rule into my schedule not to answer emails first thing in the morning.
I find that sometimes WA emails come in often, so I set a time to answer them when possible. I do the same with personal emails.
Elke
I have to schedule as well…if I don’t I find myself answering a ton of emails, and less time working on my business or helping others.
-Mike