What can I do to increase productivity?

What can I do to increase productivity? This is an absolutely fantastic TED talk by David Allen about how to improve our productivity. I particularly like his idea of being appropriately engaged, rather than focusing on getting things done.

His advice is not to keep anything in our head, but to write it down. Then we need to clarify the project and define the successful outcome, as well as the next action step.

We feel we need more time to get things done, but really that’s just an excuse. What we need is room to think, and be creative, which David calls psychic bandwidth.

The important elements of productivity are perspective and control, and we need both of these in order to be at our most productive. David suggests we use a metaphor from nature “mind like water” and think about the way water responds to physical forces appropriately.

David’s top lessons in life are:

1 – Flexibility trumps perfection

2 – Shift focus rapidly

3 – Build maps and recalibrate along the way

I love this talk and will definitely keep coming back to use these tips in my own life!

Project 365

I set up this website after deciding that I want to build a more creative life for myself, so I can give up my job and be in control of my own destiny.

I have set myself a goal of publishing an article on my website every day this year, to document my journey from employment to self-employment.

The name I chose was Project 365 because I see this as a year that I have dedicated to learning and self-development, as I countdown to freedom. It started on 1st January 2021, so I have 235 days to go!