Without the right mindset, you cannot be productive
I know you want to find the magic time management tool to help you become productive, but there is one step you have to take before: having the right mindset.
Without thinking positively about productivity, you cannot reach your full potential.
I often got into a spiral of negative beliefs and didn’t do anything.
I procrastinated, then I was mad at myself, then I thought I would never get anything done, then I procrastinated more, then the time flew by and I didn’t do anything, and then I thought it was too late to start anyway.
Getting into a negative pattern of thinking because you procrastinate will not help you at all. Instead of feeling bad for all the days you already spent wasting time: be ready to not make the same mistakes again!
Positive self-talk
Instead, practice positive self-talk every day. You don’t have to believe it at the beginning, but you add one more positive thought to your day, and that will change you.
- “I’m productive.”
- “I get into flow state easily.”
- “I can do this.”
- “I’m focused.”
Those positive affirmations are part of my morning routine and I tell them to myself standing in front of a mirror. In the beginning, it will feel weird to talk to yourself, but it’s motivating and you will gain energy.
Add or remove sentences as you feel comfortable. I’ve listened to some podcasts with affirmations and googled some, and then I put together a few sentences that speak to me the most.
Make some progress
If you still don’t believe you can do it, we need to show your brain some progress and success.
Instead of trying to hype you up to do the major paper, which is due in 2 weeks, we start with small, achievable steps to get focused and see progress.
Start with small tasks that are also productive, like making the structure for the paper, reading about the topic online, or organizing your study space.
My master’s thesis looked like a big task that seemed impossible to do. So I procrastinated.
By breaking it down into smaller parts and starting by organizing my folders and structuring my chapters, I managed to get it done in a few months. What also helps me is making an overview of the tasks that need to get done and figuring out what is most important and what needs to get done first.
Having a positive mindset toward productivity is a key to progress. It shouldn’t feel like being stuck in hell until the next break.
By showing your brain that you made progress with small steps, it will recognize that you are not lazy and you can do it.
Make it fun to achieve your goals
Think of it as a game.
Find small challenges, side quests and get rewards.
One reason why it’s so important to have goals and reasons why you are doing the work is you changed your mindset: instead of dreading work, you know why you are doing it, and that gives you more motivation.
I’m visualizing my dream future life and goals every day as part of my morning routine to remember why I’m doing all this work.
Without it, I’m not sure if I would’ve continued writing online because there were a few phases when my progress was really slow.
There is something inside you that wants to keep you from growing and working. It doesn’t like uncertainty and being out of your comfort zone.
It distracts you with fears, worries, and doubts.
Instead of fighting against it, let’s accept it and put it in the passenger seat. Focus on the positive things and the reason why you want to do this.
Make it fun to fight against your worries and doubts!
Get some rewards when you finish another step toward your goal!
Conclusion
Be aware of your thoughts! I doubted myself every time I wasn’t productive because I thought I needed to be 100% productive.
This didn’t help anyone. I was less productive because of it.
Analyze your thoughts:
- Why am I thinking like that?
- Was there something in my past that established this negative belief?
- How does it limit myself?
- What do I want to change?
Your thoughts and beliefs are not 100% the truth. They can always change.
Accept the challenge and be ready to improve your productivity!
Do you believe you can change your time management skills?
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