Productivity
Do it today: overcome procrastination and achieve more
Procrastination, the invisible enemy of creatives.
Today I would like to share a good book with lots of applicable tips to overcome it.
The author, Darius Foroux, compares it to compounding. All the small things we do consistently add up to long-term significant results. Also the negative or neglected ones. Ignoring small things daily eventually asks for a payback.
The book is divided in different parts, to help us make sense of the various contexts.
Part I – Overcome procrastination
By recognizing how different practices and habits have different impact, we can distinguish the most essential ones to focus on. Distraction is always one click away and sticking to routines can help us avoid losing sight of the goal.
1) Do it today, not tomorrow
- Keep a list of small tasks. When we feel like falling out of our routines, it can help focusing on executing a small task from the list. The reward that follows will help us reinforce our resolution while feeling productive.
- Exercise a little every day. Moving your body daily, even if for 10-15 minutes, have drastic positive impact in our mood and energy levels.
- Awarenes of where we place our focus is key.
- ‘Willpower Doesn’t Work, Systems Do’. Create a system that is bulletproof and optimized overtime.
- As Jocko Willink says ‘Discipline equals freedom’. In this case that’s also true for routines and systems. The more automated your day is, the more relaxed you can be. The system takes care of that for you, so that you don’t have to keep thinking about to do lists.
- Keep detailed track of how you spend your time (same as money) and you’ll manage it better.
Part II – Improve productivity
- Try to shift from always connected to always disconnected. Turn on internet connection only when you need it.
- Establish a fixed limited time to check your social medias once a day and keep it to answering important messages and posting relevant stuff. When browsing, keep in mind what you’re there for and don’t get sidetracked by that add, reel, meme.
- ‘You can go fast or far.’ It’s important to understand when to cultivate the Yin side of things, the motionless recharging in between. That empty space is equally important to be truly productive.
- There is a reason if some of your best ideas come to you in the shower. The brain needs time to put pieces together. Taking a vacation of sort allows you to reframe and puzzle things up.
3) 20 things to improve productivity
The author suggests various strategies to improve productivity. These are a few:
- Record all your thoughts and ideas.
- Say no more often.
- Stop consuming so much information.
- Don’t multitask.
- Plan the next day.
Part III – Achieving more
We want to achieve more with the same amount of time. To free up more we need to use the one we have more efficiently.
- If you tackle a job that is too big, you get frustrated and quit. Always start small and increment. Baby steps.
- Doing smaller things consistently is better than doing bigger things sporadically. 10 minutes of drawing everyday without fail is better than drawing 5 hours every 2 weeks. As long as you checked that box today you’re good.
- Getting out of your comfort zone is vital to growth. It’s also important how you do that. If you go straight for something that is way too much, you’ll be overwhelmed aka unproductive. Take your time to come up with a good plan and a progression made of baby steps. If you stick to the plan, with enough time you’ll make it there.
- Fundamentals are the strongest base for success, regardless of the level you’re at. By repetition we solidify what makes the core of our business, relationships, art practices or whatever you decide to focus on.
In an ocean of productivity books this one has a lot of practical tips that, if consistently applied, can really make a difference. I recommend to read the whole book if improving the aspects mentioned above are a priority to you.
Tattooing
As tattooers we’re always searching for good reference material and, even in the digital era, we appreciate to build a good physical library at home or in the shop. In Barcelona there is a great shop with a lot of material, both the newest stuff and rare collectibles.
💡TIP: ask for the special Japanese section
The owner, Lorenzo, I have known for quite some time. I’ve met him at many conventions in Europe over the years as he’s always present with his well stocked stand. He’s quite old school when it comes to tattooing and sharing material, it helps if you enter the shop with a respectful approach and a genuine appreciation for the passion he puts in the job. Some people that entered like they were shopping at H&M have been made aware of that 😅
If you are in Barcelona and want to go broke, this is the place for you. It’s hard to resist this candy store tattoo books.
Thank you all for joining this mailing list 😊
After a busy year I’ll take a couple of weeks’ break for the holidays, the newsletter will come back with even more juice start of January.
Have a wonderful christmas and see you soon ✨
Stef