Once again, you were right…
“But I don’t wanna…”
The many-headed-hydra of procrastination and the wide range feelings underneath can collapse into such a simple phrase. I often write about these feelings, their complexities, and how a visit can make a tremendous difference in managing them. (Sign up for the newsletter to get a free PDF Breaking Free from Force-Based Work to learn more about the Visit.)
But, just because those feelings are there, doesn’t mean we need to fight them. They may even be acting in our best interest, and sometimes it’s hard to even know…
“Ugh, not now…”
… sitting at the laptop and perhaps with some strain, I move myself into a current of words. Back and forth, I tap and stall at the keys, my brow finding its favored furrows.
But soon, a wonderful and powerful force stops me.
Her name is Pearl.
Wagging her tail, looking up to me with a practiced gaze, she paws at my leg, asking with her eyes,
“Let’s please go outside.”
And, of course I say,
“Not now.”
So, she paws again.
I give her a pat and a smirk.
She slinks away for all of 30 seconds until the process repeats.
And of course, I eventually relent. So, we go out.
As I stand outside, sunshine lighting the world, leaves shuffling in the wind, I turn to Pearl and say,
“Shit, you were right again.”
With her endless pool of forgiveness, she lets me scratch her chin for a moment until she notices a rabbit, and she’s off.
Simply because there is a feeling, doesn’t mean that we need to work against it. Doing so is just as reactive as indulging it.
Higher in the hierarchy of productivity is decision. And as decisions take thought and thoughts take time, decisions take time.
We can meaningfully make time with a conscious pause.
While dogs are wonderful for reminding us to pause, it’s likely best if we don’t make a habit of delegating such matters outside of ourselves.
– Kourosh
PS – The Anchor Technique can be an elegant tool to help pause and capture the moment. Using a simple pen and paper technique, you can minimize scatter, recognize procrastination, or simply strengthen the moment to decide: where do I want my mind to be? For a brief overview, check out the youtube video . But, if you’re ready for a deeper dive to really be able to guide yourself across not only the moment, but the days, weeks, and beyond, consider the extensive lessons and community of the Waves of Focus.
Productivity is many things. For some, it is about doing a lot in a little time.
But, truly, productivity is so much more. It is about:
- Setting yourself up for success.
- Being focused where you want to be.
- Doing things that you find meaningful.
- Being creative, sometimes even in harsh environments.
- Forging your own paths.
- Finding your voice and delivering it well.
- Knowing and actively deciding on your obligations.
- Knowing where and how to say “no”.
- Avoiding procrastination.
Too often, many of us fall into just going along with and fighting whatever the world throws at us. “Go with the flow!”, we say. Meanwhile, we might think, “I’d like to do that one thing. Maybe one day I will.” The days go by. The goal never arrives, and then we wonder why or blame circumstance.
But when we learn to take charge of our lives and the world
around us, we start living life with intention.
Of course, striking out may seem scary. It takes courage to live life with purpose and on purpose. Roadblocks and worries, fears and concerns show up everywhere.
This is my passion. I want to help you to find that sense of your own unique play to meet the world so that you can:
- Create a life that is yours.
- Find and follow an inner guide in a way that works for you and those you care for.
- Decide on your obligations and meet them while building the world you want.
How to Focus In A Distracting World With Dr Kourosh Dini MD – An Interview on Carl Pullein’s Your Time, Your Way
Last week, Carl Pullein and I had a wonderful discussion about ADHD, productivity, focus, hobbies, and a whole lot more. We get into the use of pen and paper, what I call the Anchor Technique to help when scatter, and beyond. Check it out!
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There’s No Difference Between Task and Appointments?!
While some productivity experts advocate scheduling tasks like appointments, this approach doesn’t work for everyone, especially those engaged in creative work. This article explores the limitations of rigid time-blocking and introduces the concept of a “Visit” as an alternative measure of work, emphasizing the power of showing up and then deciding.
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Up and Up and Up…
How do we build our worlds so that they support us in play and meaning?
- Creating Flow with OmniFocus
- Taking Smart Notes with DEVONthink
- Workflow Mastery
- PDF on beating deadlines with ease using the Touching the Keys Technique
These products use or are based on Getting Things Done® or GTD® Principles. They are not affiliated with, approved or endorsed by David Allen or the David Allen Company, which is the creator of the Getting Things Done® system for personal productivity. GTD® and Getting Things Done® are registered trademarks of the David Allen Company For more information on the David Allen Company’s products the user may visit their website at www.davidco.com.