What is it that separates people who are highly effective in work (and life) from those who are less so? Often it’s a few very specific (and learnable!) things. Acquire these eight simple habits and you won’t just get more done, you might actually change your life.
1. Visualize Your Success
Recognize your greatest goals and the successes that you want to achieve in work and life. See them, feel them, and imagine how wonderful it will be when you reach them. Visualize how you will get there, and make a plan to do so. Effective people know that you have to keep your goals top of mind in order to achieve them.
2. Focus on One Task at a Time
Don’t pile on too many projects at once. Each morning, jot down two or three things that you will focus on, and don’t let interruptions bog you down. It’s easy to allow new problems to distract you from wrapping up old ones. Understand the difference between what’s important versus (merely) urgent, and prioritize accordingly. Set deadlines for yourself—and keep them.
3. Get Active
Don’t be a prisoner of your desk, office, or workspace. Get outside in the morning, during breaks, or in the afternoon, and take a quick walk to get yourself moving. Let your mind wander as you enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Just 10 minutes a few times a day can make a world of difference in your productivity. As a rule of thumb, you should do something active to clear your mind each day.
