Get More Done, With Less Effort

Jul 13, 2021

THE CHALLENGE:

We don’t have enough time in our day to get the tasks done that we want to in order to achieve our goals. It seems as though we just don’t have enough time to get things done. Ultimately, we are trying to maximize our time to get as much done as we can in our day. The more we get done, the sooner we can achieve our goals.

 

But, we only get 24hrs in our day, and much of it is accounted for…

• Sleep accounts for some of it (approx. 6-8 hours)
• Getting ready, showering, bathroom
• Eating
• Family time
• Working out
•  

And the remainder of the time we have is working on our professional goals within our career or business.

 

Ideally, we are trying to be efficient AND effective…that’s the formula for productivity.

 

Productivity = Efficiency + Effectiveness

 

Being efficient is doing a lot of work in a short period of time.

 

Being effective is working on the right task that will bring about the greatest result.

 

Efficiency often requires more work…AND…Effectiveness often requires more thought.

 

For example…

Being efficient is being able to read a lot in a short period of time.

Being Effective is reading the right book for what you are trying to learn.

 

Being efficient is running really fast

Being effective is running in the right lane or the right direction

 

We all get the same 24 hours. But some individuals who are high performers can get A WHOLE LOT more done with their 24hrs than others…and make it seem effortless.

 

So it begs the questions…

How do we get more done in our day?

How do we maximize the time we have to get the most out of our 24hrs?

 

THE PROBLEM:

Most of us believe that if we work harder we will get more done in our day. Basically, in regards to the formula for productivity we focus on efficiency. I once thought the same way.

This is how we think…”How can I get more work done in less time?”

• The reason we like focusing on efficiency is because we like getting stuff done. It makes us feel better about ourselves. We feel accomplished when we do work. We like the feeling of doing something.
• That turns into less sleep, and stealing away time from things that matter…faith, family time, fitness
• Therefore we end up tired and frustrated, but we got more done…but it came at too much of a cost

 

Does this sound familiar? This was exactly how I once thought and performed.

 

However…I learned one of THE MOST IMPORTANT keys to being more productive in my day and life…

 

THE SOLUTION:

I learned that even though efficiency is the more glamorous & glorious part of the equation to productivity…but it’s not the greatest part of the equation.

 

Effectiveness is greater than Efficiency

 

I’m all about working and getting a lot done…but the question is, “Am I working on the right thing?” “Are YOU working on the right thing?” “Are YOU running in the right direction??”

 

For example…

You might be doing a lot of networking, but are you meeting the right people?

You might be working out a lot, but are you doing the right exercises?

You might be working hard on your business, but are you working on the right thing for your business?

 

Effectiveness requires less doing…and more thinking. But thinking isn’t glamorous! Nike says “Just do it” not “Just think about it”

 

The world would have you believe that you have to grind and hustle your way to the top…which is only part of the equation for productivity and success. If you are a high-achiever…typically your problem is not doing…it’s not thinking enough!

 

Abraham Lincoln summed it up perfect in this quote: “Give me 6 hrs to chop down a tree and I’ll spend the first 4 hrs sharpening the axe”

 

Thinking means…

• Slowing down
• Sitting down long enough to ask the right questions
• Setting aside/Scheduling time to think
• Stop DOING long enough to see if you are still heading in the right direction

 

Here’s why people don’t think more…

• It means they have to actually slow down…We don’t like slowing down
• It means facing your fear, swallowing your pride and humbling your ego, coming to a conclusion that you may actually be going in the wrong direction
• It doesn’t seem cool or glamorous
• Seems like nothing is getting done. It challenges our patience.

 

Benefits of thinking before doing:

• Less Mistakes
• Sooner wins
• You get better at it!! You’ll get better at asking the right questions and get more efficient at being effective!!

 

My Story:

When I started creating daily and weekly space and time to thinking more…I was able to get more done, with less effort in each area of my life…by simply asking myself the right questions.

 

It was scary and nerve racking at first…but priceless and beneficial in its results.

 

Here’s the action I want you to take…

1. Spend time daily trying to figure out what’s the best step to take toward achieving your goal
2. Ask the same question once a week

 

Ultimately, here is what I want you to understand…

 

Think More, Do Less, Get More Done!