If overwhelming thoughts are keeping you from completing a goal or task, try these simple, bulletproof tips to help you get anything done better and in less time.

 

 

If you want to know what it takes to start being productive, then you’ve come to the right place.

As a recovering procrastinator, I know exactly how overwhelming it can feel when you’re staring at a mountain of tasks between you and your goals, and no idea where to start. Luckily, you don’t have to worry if you find yourself in this same position.

I’m sharing my highly effective, five-step strategy to help you sidestep the voice in your head and get stuff done. You will learn how to effectively approach any goal or task, how to create a plan that works, the importance of helpful resources, and more.

After reading this, you will be armed with tools and strategies to help you kick procrastination to the curb and start tackling your goals like a boss.

This post is all about a 5-step strategy to start being productive.

 

TRY THIS 5-STEP STRATEGY TO START BEING PRODUCTIVE 

Step 1. Identify Your Goal

One of the easiest ways to fall into unproductive cycles is by hoarding ideas in your mind. These can be dreams, goals, tasks or objectives that are important and can improve your life but remain as a web of thoughts in your brain, despite your good intentions to achieve them.

If you’ve ever found yourself constantly thinking about how difficult, expensive, time-consuming, or impossible something is, then you’re more likely to convince yourself out of doing it instead of figuring out how to make it happen.

Therefore, instead of obsessing over details like these, the first thing you should do is identify your main goal and write it down.

Do you want to lose a few pounds? Are you trying to apply to your dream job or start a new business? Maybe you want to write a blog post or pick up a new hobby?

Whatever you’d like to do, take the step to get it out of your brain and on paper to increase your chances of accomplishing it.  Don’t think about any limiting factors right now, just write it down.

1. Be as specific as possible:
   • I want to lose 20 lbs. within 60 days on the Keto diet
   • I have to complete a 5-page research paper on Monarch butterflies by Friday
   • I’d like to find several 10-minute cleaning and organization hacks for my kitchen/office/closet
   • My goal is to create an Esty shop and sell abstract art printables within 6 months

2. Utilize a variety of resources:
   • Planners
   • Notebooks
   • Journals
   • Calendars
   • Computer
   • Phone apps 

Step 2. Go Back to Basics 

Now that you’ve defined what you want to achieve, set a 15-minute timer and brain dump in the space underneath your goal. This step is meant to be quick and direct to help you side-step limiting beliefs that may have contributed to your previous inability to make progress.

Keep it simple and try bullet point statements or basic sentences to describe the who, what, where, when, why, and how details of your objective.

It is crucial to remain as unbiased as possible and write what you think is required without harping on who you are, your worth, what you deserve, and your capabilities.

Depending on your situation, you’ll want to consider questions like the following:

Who needs to be involved to make this goal/dream/task a reality?

What are the tools, budget, and resources needed?

Where can helpful information and people who have successfully achieved this be found?

When is the deadline to complete this?

Why is this urgent or important to me?

How have I gotten stuck or derailed from accomplishing this in the past?

Remember, this step is meant to empty your mind and list basic information that will be expanded upon later. You do not have to be right or edited in your expression, just do it, and stop when the timer ends.

 

1. Use the timer on your phone to set the recommended time (15-min)
2. When the timer ends, go to the next step. This is a lesson in progress over perfection
3. If you prefer to brainstorm aloud, try talk-to-text features, and edit later
4. When you’re stuck or unsure of a detail, turn it into a question
5. Be mindful of how often limiting beliefs creep in. Don’t let them phase you, you’re just writing.

Step 3. Research, Research, Research!

In previous steps, you identified your goal and a few basic details that are ready to be expanded upon. Now it’s time to begin researching so you can fill in any gaps.

You’ll want to find as many resources as possible to prove or gain information about the following:

Confirmation that your goal, or a similar one, has been done successfully

Resources, tips, and best practices from people who did it

Supporting info about their who, what, where, when, why, and how

Inspiration for how you can do it differently or better

This phase can span up to an hour or even two days but not longer. The goal is to prove to your mind that what you want, or something similar, is attainable and you’ll use other people’s success to do it. Even if you do not have all of the finances, resources, or education required, research until you can find alternative, creative paths to meet your goals.

You’ll be surprised at how drawing inspiration from others, and their success, can empower you and help silence your inner saboteur.

Remember, no one is perfect or has it all figured out. Don’t let limiting beliefs like these keep you from moving towards your goal.

1. Use as many resources as possible:

• Google – Works for just about anything. Put your topic in the search engine and go down the rabbit hole of finding information that meets the above criteria.

• YouTube – The amount of free content available is endless. Find helpful videos and save them to your favorites or text the link to yourself if you do not have an account.
  • Make sure to read the comments, especially on recipes, interview tips, and anything being promoted or advertised.

• Pinterest – One of my favorite places ever because you can get inspiration quick and save it to easily accessible boards for later use.
  • You’ll find quick videos, recipes, how-to guides, tutorials, quotes, life hacks and more.

• TikTok or Instagram Reels – Great for visual learners who interpret information fast. Be sure to check out the comments and visit the person’s page for more related content.
  • DM creators with specific questions, you might make a friend or gain a mentor!
  • Save videos to your favorites so you can revisit as needed.

• Blogs – Amazing resource for content specific information and finding best tips and tricks from people who’ve done it.
  • You can find free or paid courses and downloadable materials and checklists to help you get started

• Facebook Groups – A great way to connect with others who have a similar goal or dream, and bounce ideas off each other.
  • Facebook account is required.
  • Comment for permission to PM (private message) with specific questions, many are usually thrilled to help.

• Literature (Self-Help or Instructional Books) – Excellent choice for people who prefer to dive in a book.
  • Great for traveling or being in spaces where access to the internet is limited.
  • Try the library or local bookstore for free content
  • Download digital content on portable devices like Kindle, iPad, and phone

• Reddit – Helpful forums with direct answers and responses from communities you can easily join.
  • Great for ongoing interests in any subject
  • Content is free to view
  • An email account may be required to post to threads and PM others

• Personal Contacts – Anyone you know directly that has achieved your goal or a similar one.
  • Make sure their success is verifiable.
  • Learn what they would have done differently
  • If you schedule time to meet with them, come prepared and be succinct in your questions.
  • Be respectful of their time and take notes!

Step 4. Make a Plan

Next, you should have enough information to make a solid, bullet-proof plan. Remember, the mission is to achieve your goal before your deadline, so you’ll need to get specific about each step along the way.

Start by breaking down factors like budget, time, and related tasks. These are the most important aspects to define because without them, you run the risk of never completing your goal, or at least not on time. You’ve already noted the basics and done extensive research so the guesswork should be done.

Break your goal down into smaller steps and transfer those steps to resources of your choice.

I prefer to use two things: Calendars and Checklists.

Calendars:

Super helpful for a birds eye view of everything that needs to be accomplished prior to your deadline/s. This will help you know and plan what to do each day, instead of the pressure of figuring it out on the spot. 

If you have a 30-day goal and 10 tasks that must be done, mark your calendar to do a new task every 3 days (30/10 = 3)

If you need to write a 1500-word essay in 7 days, write 300 words/day for 5 days and save the other two for researching and editing.

By dividing up smaller action-items, you’ll increase your chances of accomplishing your goal and feeling way less overwhelmed in the process!

Checklists:

These are great promoters of productivity because they keep your daily tasks at the forefront of your mind. I personally love swiping things off my checklist because it gives me mood boosts and they’re proof that I actually took action towards my goal.

Look at your calendar in the morning. Note the task that needs to be done and move it to a checklist or set a calendar reminder for the time you are supposed to begin.

Commit to accomplishing everything on the day it was originally planned.

Your brain needs to see you honor and stick to processes you set!

Whichever combination of resources works best for you, remember to build in time for breaks and buffers in case things take longer than planned.

 

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: PLANNING GOALS IN 5 EASY STEPS

 

 

1. Google or Smartphone Calendar

• Free resource
• An email account may be required for Google
• Come standard on most phones
• Can also be downloaded from the app store
• Ability to set goals, reminders, tasks, and events

2. Clear Todos, Lists to Do, or other list-creating apps

• Perfect for any checklists, grocery lists, or quick ideas
• Usually Emoji friendly
• Can be free, one-time purchases, or recurring costs. Be sure to check!

3. Notes app

• Standard on Apple devices
• Downloadable from the app store
• Can add notes, checklists, URLs, photos, and attachments
• Ability to add travel time for events

4. Post-Its or Stickies

• Great for folks who need to write tasks out
• Stick them to the back of your phone or sides of your computer as reminders

Step 5. Show Up Properly

Now that you have a plan in place for attacking your goals or tasks, the last thing you want to make sure of is that you’re showing up properly every day.

This can be tough when things like families, overtime, and life demand our time but it’s important that you make the effort to show up for your dreams and yourself because no one else will do this for you.

It sounds harsh but there’s a reason why they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first, before others, while on airplanes.

Simply put, don’t let things like hunger, rest, hygiene, or poor planning be the reason you don’t succeed.

Remember to make time in your schedule to eat, hydrate, and take care of yourself.  Stock up on your favorite snacks and enjoy them before or while you work on crossing tasks off your to-do list.

If you’re tired, try caffeinated beverages, breathing in fresh air, or listening to a lively playlist.

Do what’s required to make sure you can successfully tackle your goal and the smaller bits daily.

1. Keep your favorite snacks stocked up and enjoy them, or your favorite beverage, while working towards your goal

1. • Try caffeinated beverages for more energy
   • Use a special mug when working on goal-related items only
   • Consider fresh fruit to increase mental alertness
2. Go to bed and wake up earlier if you have limited time for yourself during the day

• • It’s a sacrifice but remember, it’s for your specific goal
  • Try this stretch routine by Mady Morrison to help get your day started
  • Take a 25-min catnap after lunch for an immediate mood boost 

3. Use these free YouTube playlists to create a calm atmosphere:
   • Cozy Fall Coffee Shop
   • Norah Jones Café Music
   • Starbucks Inspired Coffee Music 

CONCLUSION 

Finally, you’re all set to begin working towards your goal and start being productive. You’ve simplified your goal, identified the basics, done some amazing research, and made a killer plan! Now all that’s left for you to do is get started!

Remember to put some respect on your name and show up properly. Every day won’t be perfect but if you utilize the resources and commit to small steps each day, you’ll have no choice but to succeed.

Keep me updated on your progress in the comments below and let me know if there’s anything I can help you with!

I appreciate you reading <3