2 things that you would suggest to increase personal effectiveness?

[ThePocketface]

Hey there guys, I am new to Pavlina's forum so I'd like to get a feel for things by asking a question that is relevant to me at this point in time.

What are 2 things that you would suggest in order to create the greatest increase in personal efficiency and effectiveness?
I've been making new distinctions and adjustments in this area for a while now, and I really think I could learn a lot from asking this question here.

[Remiel]

What is it that you are lacking in and trying to improve in? After all my biggest hurdle right now is spending my time wisely, which probably isn't your problem, is it?

I could suggest something like going to Focus Seminars, which I imagine you'd never do, right? It's something that would require an investment of money into yourself. I'm guessing that would probably be too expensive for you, wouldn't it?

Not to mention what are you willing to pay, sacrifice and do to be more effective? In what areas? Time? Money? Relationships? Business? Freedom? Vacations?

[Dimond]

Some type of daily spiritual practice such as meditation, yoga, prayer, combo, etc. Even more powerful combined with movement/exercise. Affirmations are also an important part of this, especially if used to reprogram your subconscious. The more spiritual practices you use (when done with the right intentions), the better every area of your life will be.

Being/living consciously & authentically. Being the real you. Paying attention to yourself and your life as well as those around you. Much more involved, but that's the simple explanation.

[Sami]

For me, 2 things that have increased my personal effectiveness is to get up at 5am each morning and high intensity exercise.

I'm a morning person so am more productive during the morning hours. I'd suggest finding the time of the day/night you're most energised and use it for your most important projects.

The high intensity exercise has helped reduce stress, improved my health and fitness, increased energy levels, is great for anger management and helped with motivation levels. All of which have improved my personal effectiveness.

[Mogget]

Learn to recognize congruence and incongruence.
Learn to resolve incongruence.

To me this means that at least 90% of the "getting in your own way" stuff that trips people up will be taken care of.

[allen080105]

Envisioning goals for about 20 minutes each day. This is what I've been doing for about 2 days now since I went back and read this article by Steve and I find I'm a lot more focused and therefore more effective. I've kind of become out of touch with envisioning so even that has taken some practice to be able to hold for that long.

Also facing and overcoming one of your fears. Maybe a small one. That should give you a momentum boost and get you going.

[Trustme]

Timeboxing
Getting up earlier

[CoolBee]

Two things:

(1) A tick list of things you feel you need/want to achieve every day to keep things maintained so they don't become projects (eg house cleaning, personal chores(eg flossing teeth), regular spirit work or reading habit etc). Getting those ticks down can be pretty motivating.

(2) Get someone - friend - coach - random guy off the internet - to talk/chat to once a week about your progress with each other. I do this with a fellow coach - we set aside 2 hours most weeks to spend an hour focused on me alternating with an hour focused on her (we alternate who goes first each time) - sometimes we coach each other, sometimes we just sound out ideas or whatever.

[sidsavara]

The biggest thing that improved my effectiveness was getting out of my own way. I find that I waste a lot of time procrastinating and working on tasks that provide little to no value.

Once I started focusing on the few things that actually mattered to me, and outsourced/cut the excess out of my life I was able to accomlpish a lot more.

The second thing I do is recognize productive moods and milk them for all they are worth. I find that I go through phases - sometimes I am extremely productive almost effortlessly, and other times I really have to make a conscious effort to focus. Last night for example I was in a zone and I cranked out a bunch of content for my website, including some ebook reviews - and I generally really dislike doing reviews, but it was effortless for me. Once I noticed I was in that zone, I stopped working on my articles and switched over to doing reviews - articles I enjoy and can do when I'm not motivated, but when I'm not motivated to do reviews they turn out terrible =)

A last note, regarding personal effectiveness, I try to limit areas where I *know* I am just using the activity to waste time. I call them my "procrastination thumbscrews" - I list them here (including wasting time online) -

Procrastination Thumbscrews – Know Your Procrastinating and Time Wasting Weaknesses

[nightdiamond]

Hi ThePocketface, I have some ideas...

One of the things that I've discovered that is good for effectiveness and getting goals achieved is - motivation.

Motivation will almost make you achieve your goals.

I certainly know that lack of motivation will do the opposite.

I noticed there are two basic types of motivation, one to avoid or end negative feelings/circumstances, and the other to achieve something you really want, that will make you feel great when you get it.

For example with weight loss, or body building- if you look at yourself in the mirror and don't like what you see, (it makes you disappointed, meh!) then it could motivate you start exercising frequently.

And to add to it, if you look at pictures of people with tight abs or bellies and 'sculptured' bodies, and then picture yourself with the same physique and the results it would have (compliments, impressing people, health) then it could really motivate to exercise, plus shape your body too....

It seems the more you think about your goal (and how it would make you feel when you achieve it) the more motivated you'll become.



sidsavara's post is another one- it is so easy to waste time, especially on the internet. It can be a big distraction...

[supremum]

Originally Posted by Mogget

Learn to recognize congruence and incongruence.
Learn to resolve incongruence.

brilliant.