For my own productivity ‘system’, I have identified 4 key components that simplify the understanding of any system out there.  The framework is completely underpinned by your personal modes of operation and your core purpose and desire.  With this, here is the framework:

The 3 areas within the framework, as you can see, are tools, tactics and processes.  They are defined as follows:

Tools – these are the technology pieces and other systems that help you facilitate your productivity.  This would be your computer, smartphone, and software. Also included here are your notebooks and pens, post-it notes, etc. Whatever the tools are, these are here.

Tactics – these are the individual tasks or simple strategies within your system, such as a weekly meeting or daily download. Other areas include how you handle email, how you communicate and how you filter your information flow.

Processes – these are habits, routines, calendar events, and general management of your tactics and tools.  It is essentially methodologies that govern the cooperation of tools and tactics.

Now remember, as I mentioned, if your system is not grounded in the foundation of your mode of operation (M.O.) and your core purposes, it will likely fall apart and you will be miserable doing it. The goal isn’t simply to get stuff done but the right stuff in the right way, going for accomplishment and not simply busy-work.  Your M.O. is how you work most effectively. Not everyone operates exactly the same and this must be considered when deciding how to get things done.  Your core purpose includes your personal mission and life vision. What are you trying to do with your life and does your system move you properly?  Think about this and move toward identifying the 4 components for yourself and how they meld together.

What do you think? is this framework descriptive of your system of accomplishment?

Well, It has been nearly a month since my last post and really since my last anything!  On January 24th, my son was born.  He is my first and came with a little something extra.  He is down syndrome and has a heart condition and an issue with his kidneys.  All of this has led to my checking out from routine and reality over the last month.  We spent some extra time in the NICU but he has now been home for a few weeks and is doing wonderful.  He is our blessing and I love it.

I tell you this to simply point out that sometimes life throws a curve ball and it can be tricky to catch.  My blog here is perfect evidence of me dropping the ball (not posting in a month! Come on Billy!!).  My routine was utterly destroyed by the new found responsibilities and extra hospital time.  My reading, studying, working, all have suffered.  Now, I absolutely do not regret the time spent with my son. However, my handle of the other stuff has been less than stellar.  This is an important principle of life productivity.  How we handle the curve ball may demonstrate personal power that will carry throughout our lives.  This does not mean the routine “changes for no one” but simply that we are flexible and still responsible.  Taking a break from the blog is not the issue, it has been the slow transition back into reality that has been my downfall.  This goes for other aspects of my own productivity.  Flexibility is essential for just such moments as long as we know when it is time to mount up and get back to business.  I have not let essentials, of course.  That being relationships with close friends, business associates, clients, and “urgent” matters.  I simply have slacked in the departments of personal education and dissemination of ideas.  What I didn’t realize is how critical a piece that area is in my general well being and personal productivity.  A sharp mind and innovative thinking are  foundational pieces of my makeup.  By slacking on those, other areas suffer.  Well, my friends, I have learned from my mistakes and am here to announce my return to reality and higher productivity.  So what are the key principles I have taken from the last month?

• First, It IS okay to take time to focus on the most important things in your life.
• Be flexible but know when to start back up.  Don’t let the “time off” turn into a hitch that holds you back.
• Curve balls will come, know it, prepare for it, embrace it.
• Routines can and will change permanently (especially with major changes like kids!)
• Keep a sharp mind and take time for personal education even when you’re not “working”. Read, study, share ideas, its essential.
• And of course, Kids are a blessing!! Especially mine… hehe

Have you ever experienced times like this?  If not, you’re a liar!! This is not my first either…  Share your thoughts on lessons learned, strategies, etc.

Productive Resistance?

In any productivity system, you have a certain level of added friction and resistance that is introduced by the system itself, i.e. you have to carry a planner, spend time writing/typing, recording, marking complete, etc.  All of these tasks would not exist if it weren’t for the system.  Daily and weekly reviews, etc. also often add several hours to your week of unproductive (directly unproductive) minutiae.  So why, in our pursuit of efficiency and effectiveness would we add a book of practices that simply add resistance?  Well, obviously we think the added resistance will be accompanied by a higher level of productivity.  We are willing to welcome the increased resistance in an effort to achieve improved results.  Compare it to giving up gas mileage on a car for increased speed and power.  It may require a bit more fuel to push through the resistance of a more powerful engine, wider tires, etc. but the increase in performance is worth it to us so we buy the car.

So the question is now raised… and I will illustrate with the car comparison:

With countless blogs, books, and best-practices (pardon the alliteration), maximized productivity is a common pursuit, especially for the ambitious ones among us.  Many have even dedicated themselves full time to this unachievable endeavor, the perfect level of self-management and productivity.  But why?  What is the purpose to improved productivity.  The obvious, yet superficial, answer is to get more done, to create, to accomplish.  This is partially true, yet, lacks, and simply reveals the next question: why get more done, create, or accomplish?  Ultimately, it brings us to the pursuit of happiness, particularly lasting joy.  For whatever number of reasons, we are happy when we are productive, when we create, when we participate in the progression of ourselves and, as a secondary benefactor in many cases, society.  With an understanding of this core purpose, we can more fully explore methods of productivity with a higher context that promises the results we seek.  But why do we want to be happy?  All I know is I do, so that’s where we’ll leave the philosophy for this post.

With this obsession toward productivity, we find ourselves seeking methods and sharing methods for doing so.  Each person or guru introduces a set of principles to productivity with tools of the trade such as calendaring systems, to-do lists, technology, etc.  We read the book, try it out, do it for a week or so, maybe a month, then slowly drop parts of each method until we are left back where we were or close to it.  Don’t get me wrong, I like many of the systems available and commend their creators for contributing to the world of productivity improvement only have yet to find the system that truly works for me.  Maybe those of us falling into this trap are simply undisciplined and we need to quit blaming the system, or maybe not.  I don’t question a tendency toward laziness, especially if the system adds a list of new daily tasks simply to manage the system itself!  What I do question is whether that “laziness” is the problem!

Enter the meMethod…

What I have noticed is that with each failed attempt at systematically enhanced productivity improvement, we tend to retain a piece of that system, even if only a memory of something we liked.  If we attempt several and explore blogs, books, and gurus for more, we are left with a plethora of ideas that have left an imprint on our memory.  We create, even subconsciously and unintentionally, our own set of productivity best practices.  So why are we all not ultra-productive happy folk?  Well, just because a lot of ideas are chaotically floating around in our clouded memories does not mean a single one is even implemented or works complementary to the others.  We may not have ever connected the dots!  How do all these ideas relate?  How would they work together?  I mean, what are they?!?!

So the meMethod enters as the method that works for ME.  Each person may have their own meMethod, what works for you is yours.  So I add my own ingredients to the already overflowing productivity stew, in a kitchen with far too many chefs and the clamor over which recipe to choose.  Well, the recipe depends upon each person’s tastes and that, my friend, will never be agreed upon.  The pursuit for productivity is an individual one, each person to choose their path.  This does not mean we are on the journey alone, only that our specific path will be ours.  Many have trod the path before and even more are doing so today. Each has something unique to offer and each ought to be explored.  In the future, I will post various resources that I’ve found useful as well as a complete meMethod guide that will be available likely within 6 months or so.  I look forward to sharing more on this topic.

What are some resources you’ve found helpful regarding productivity?  Any favorite blogs, books, or tools?

Every few months, I reach a boiling point in my personal productivity and life direction that calls for re-assessment. In essence, life “clutter” begins to cloud my brain and my objectives. What occurs is a decrease in productivity, organization, and operational clarity. Certain areas or projects may suffer in attempts to put out fires and continue forward. Apparently I am horrible at creating powerful habits and require a recharge, a time to step back and say “why do I do that? Why am I not doing this? What about that?” Well, friends, it has once again come to that point and I am beginning the routine re-organization. Each time it is re-addressed, I typically come to the table with a few new weapons, i.e. productivity methodologies acquired since the last assessment, and each time I get a little closer to finding the meMethod™ (what works for me). Some of the concepts and books I’ve been into include:

• Four Hour Work Week
• 7 Habits for Highly Effective People
• Getting Things Done
• Mission Control
• And of course, related blogs, mags, articles, etc.

So, I come to this point in hopes of maintaining a few more habits and concepts than last time, maybe placing this “boiling point” as my last. You may have experienced similar points in your own life. Why does it happen? Should it? Maybe it is good to just re-assess every few months? Maybe we ought to be in continual re-assessment, the idea of continual minor course corrections and maintenance versus substantial correction every quarter. Which is better? I have my opinions, which I will share here but let me know, what do you think?

Regular assessment ought to be part of one’s routine. I believe frequency will depend on the area of life we are exploring. Regular project productivity ought to be explored and assessed weekly while life mission and long-term alignment may receive a hard assessment quarterly, course corrections occurring with these assessments. There even ought to be a daily assessment (I’d say the end of the day) in order to align the following day. Each of the above programs may carry ideas regarding this assessment concept, calling it by different names. I have found value in each of these and have pulled from each in attempts to create the meMethod.

If you haven’t figured out, I am passionate about productivity and personal management. The meMethod is just that, the idea of an individualized concept built upon a flexible framework of productivity theories and strategies. Each person’s personality will synchronize differently with each strategy. Often, the best is to test. Try a few out and begin formulating your meMethod.

What are some other sources you’ve used and found effective for personal productivity, time-management, or however you define it?