Ok, so here’s the deal. We all want to be more productive, right? I’ve never heard someone say, “I really wish I didn’t get so much done.” Unfortunately, the Information Age has rapidly morphed into the Distraction Age. The ability to focus is becoming a lost art.
We all want to accomplish whatever goals we have, and we need ways to get more done in less time. Well, I recently started asking myself a simple question throughout the day and I cannot believe how much of an impact it has made on me.
That simple question is: Why am I doing this?
I have started asking myself this at random times throughout the day. If I have a good answer to the question, I keep doing it. If not, I stop immediately and figure out something else I need to be doing.
I know this sounds ridiculous but it has completely changed the way I spend my time. It is so easy to get caught up in a routine and do the same things over and over. I typically wake up, have my coffee and grab my phone. Before I know it, I’ve looked at emails, spent some time on social media, had a couple more cups of coffee, and then tried to figure out what I really need to be doing. Minutes turn into hours pretty quickly and then I beat myself up for wasting so much time before I really get going.
Well, now I have a new routine. I have developed the habit of asking myself “Why am I doing this?” and it’s been a real eye-opener for me. If I don’t have a quick, meaningful answer to that question I stop whatever I’m doing right then. I close whatever social media app I’m scrolling, I put down my phone, I re-assess what needs to be done, and I start focusing on that immediately.
Let me ask you, how much time do you think you waste every day? I’ll bet you it’s way more than you realize. Do you have any idea how your time is being spent? Imagine if a film crew followed you around all day and then showed you the video of yourself going about your day. Would you be proud of how you spent your time? I don’t know about you, but I’d be pretty embarrassed.
So this week, I want you to ask yourself “Why am I doing this?” at random intervals throughout your day and see what happens. Why am I watching this reality show? Why am I scrolling through Facebook again? Why am I putting off doing what I know needs to be done? Why am I reading this book right now? Again, if you have a good answer to the question, keep doing it. But if not, change direction.
If you’re anything like me, a lot of times you’re going to struggle to come up with a good answer. That’s ok, it just means you’re not doing what you need to do. So stop whatever you’re doing that’s unproductive and start doing what you know needs to be done. Take one little step forward, build some momentum and you’ll be amazed at how more you accomplish.