A Quick Tip on Forming Habits and Getting Sh*t Done
WHY should you care: If you are reading this, it is very likely that you want to be better and do more in life. Part of improving yourself is developing habits that set you up for success. As anyone who has ever tried to make something a habit before knows it takes time and is never easy. Another part of personal development is taking action and getting things done. This one tip will help your ability to form habits and follow through on your commitments.
WHERE I learned this: The School of Hard Knocks. I’m only half kidding; I learned this skill because I was constantly forgetting things and turning in work late, often incomplete. I learned the name of the skill and far more about it from Grandmaster Paul Melella (7th Dan in taekwondo, owner of UMAC Carmel and Empowered Mastery).
WHAT the tip is: Time-blocking. Most of you have heard this before. Put something in your calendar, like your meetings, so you don’t forget them. This is actually a bit different; it’s time-blocking with yourself. This means setting a “meeting” with yourself as a commitment, that you plan to honor, to devote that time to doing whatever you need to do. That could be physically blocking out a 10 minute part of your morning. This goes beyond just saying to yourself that you’ll do it. It means using whatever calendar tool you use to say “I have an appointment with myself at 7 am to meditate for 10 minutes.” This is an effective way to begin to develop habits because nobody likes to miss a meeting! If you have that meeting with yourself set up, you’re more likely to follow through. This also relates to getting non-habit forming tasks done too. Maybe you need to get a project done in a week. You can time block slots throughout the day, where nobody can disturb you, for only working on this one project. You’ll be able to get work done at least five times more efficiently!
I personally break this up into three separate steps: 1) make it down in your calendar (I use Google Calendar), 2) write it down on a piece of paper (or Wunderlist), 3) cross it off the piece of paper when you’re done. Step 1 is going to result in 90% of your progress. Steps 2 and 3 are a good strategy for feeling good about completing your task. Physically checking something off a list or crossing it off releases dopamine, the “feel good” neurotransmitter. This is a natural positive reinforcement system that will motivate you to keep up the good work! In summary, set appointments with yourself using some calendar tool, and reward yourself for following through.
If you liked this, learned something, or have any questions please like, comment, or share. I hope that this gets you 1% closer to any or all of your goals!