Posts Tagged Productivity Resistance

Prepare to be unraveled! Handling life’s curve balls productively…

Posted by Billy in Productivity & Personal Growth on February 24, 2010

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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.


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Fixed-schedule lifestyle, a great principle of productivity

Posted by Billy in Business Theory & Strategy, Productivity & Personal Growth on January 12, 2010

Entrepreneurs and new business owners have a tough time “changing channels”.  If you are one, you know exactly what I mean.  When we are at work, we work.  When at home, we relax…and work.  When at your kids baseball game, we cheer them on…and work (thanks you blasted smart phone!).  Now, the benefit to this often is seen in the ability to simply take time off whenever desired and still be able to finish up those contracts, or whatever.  This has been handy for me more than once.  The danger is, however, quite obvious.  If my wife said “lets go to California next week” (where she is from), we could do it.  I would, of course, likely take time to chat with clients and do some work.  With such short notice, there would inevitably be things that ought not be left or lack time to delegate.  This can be great, although worthless if I simply worked the entire time we were there!  Learning to manage the “channel surfing” of our attention is an invaluable skill and utter necessity, especially with other important attention grabbers such as family.  This brings us to a powerful principle of productivity, part of the meMethod… fixed-schedule lifestyles.

This principle was illustrated quite well in a blog post offered by Cal Newport here.  You may also learn more about him on his own blog here. The starting principles for fixed-schedule productivity are as follows: Read the rest of this entry »

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Minimize your Productive Resistance to Accomplish More

Posted by Billy in Business Theory & Strategy, Featured, Productivity & Personal Growth on October 3, 2009

Productive Resistance?

lightbulb-resistanceIn 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: Read the rest of this entry »

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