Have you ever looked at those people who always seem to have their act together and wondered:

 

“How do they do it?”

 

It’s like they effortlessly accomplish everything while the rest of us struggle just to get through the basics.

 

Do they have some secret formula for being super productive?

 

IT’S COMMON

 

You know that famous quote, right?

 

“Most of us overestimate what we can get done in a day and underestimate what we can get done in a year.”

 

It really makes you stop and think, doesn’t it?

 

Let’s take losing weight as an example.

 

If you want to shed 40 pounds in a year, that’s less than a pound a week.

 

Sounds doable, doesn’t it?

 

But then you look at your day, today, and it’s a whole different story.

 

Between workouts, meal prepping, work, social obligations, taking care of pets, plants, and family, and dealing with social media and email, the list just goes on and on!

 

In the grand scheme of things, losing less than a pound a week over a year doesn’t sound so difficult. In fact, you might even lose more.

 

Yet, we often try to cram a hundred activities into a single day, overestimating what’s possible in just 24 hours!

 

HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN

 

Well, if you’re anything like me, you probably have a never-ending “to-do” list with a gazillion things on it.

 

And what ends up happening?

 

We accomplish none of them because we get overwhelmed.

 

We start a little bit of everything without actually finishing anything.

 

It’s because we allow distractions to creep in, and as a result, we never make any substantial progress on anything. That’s why our list always has a gazillion things!

 

But fear not! There’s a solution… 

 

START BY DOING LESS

 

I know, it sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out.

 

There’s a productivity practice called “The Big 4,” and it can be a total game changer.

 

Here’s how it works.

 

Each day, you identify just four things that you absolutely want to accomplish.

 

These are the four things that will truly move you forward, even if they’re not the easiest or the most enjoyable tasks. They’re the most important ones.

 

LIMIT YOURSELF!

 

By limiting yourself to just the Big 4 and prioritizing them in order of importance, you set yourself up for success.

 

Even if you only manage to complete the first one or two, you’ve already tackled the most crucial tasks and set your life in motion.

 

Can you accomplish more than four things in a day?

 

Maybe.

 

And, if so, once the Big 4 are done, consider everything else as a bonus.

 

Focusing on the Big 4 gives you a sense of accomplishment each day.

 

Remember, being “productive” isn’t about being “busy.”

 

Some of the busiest people I know are the least productive.

 

IT’S A SKILL

 

Productivity is an organized skill that requires practice and development.

 

To get started, try writing down the three or four most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow in order to get closer to your goals.

 

Then, prioritize them.

 

If leading a healthier life is important to you, make sure a workout is part of your Big 4.

 

If it doesn’t make the cut, that’s okay. It’s a clear indication that it’s not a high priority right now. Maybe it’ll make the list later.

 

So, what’s your Big 4 for tomorrow?

 

Whenever you’re ready… let’s make progress together!