What's Damaging Your Happiness + Productivity
I have had to ask myself this question many times in life and with business when I was feeling off, sad, confused, frustrated and overall not focused.
I have always been drawn to running at high performance in all topics of life. I love the feeling of being accomplished, productive, kicking-ass and taking names ; )
But what is being productive? It is how much output you create from focused effort you put in your Life, Business and Mind.
The brain at a positive state is 31% more productive than at negative state or neutral state. 31% more productive! Y'all, I personally would feel great getting 31% more done in my day! How much better would you feel?!
But how do we get to a more positive mind set? Self Motivation.
Self Motivation is like showering. You do not have to take a shower everyday, but hell, it's recommended. In order to self motivate take a moment to identify and write down:
1) Your Purpose + Meaning
2) Why is this your Purpose + Meaning
Now looking at what you wrote down. You have pretty freakin' important stuff, right?! You have a fabulous purpose in life. You have fabulous reasons to motivate you.
But what is damaging your happiness, productivity and motivation? Here is a list of things to consider. Write down those that apply to you in life and I encourage you to have an authentic/honest moment and write down things that may not even be listed:
1) Over eating/Under Eating
2) Processed Foods/Unhealthy Diet
3) Alcohol Consumption/Drugs/Smoking
4) Lack of Water
5) Sitting Around/Down Too Much
6) Lack of Focus
7) Toxic Relationship(s)
8) Negative Friends/Family
9) Negative Self Talk/Always Complaining
10) Worrying/Anxiety/Stress
Now that you have identified the things that are interfering with your happiness and productivity, I'm going to bring you back to the topic of, Performance.
When I think of my Performance, I want:
1) to be productive
2) to be accomplished
3) to create efficiently
4) to feel good while doing it all!
So how do I achieve this high-performance, happiness and productivity?
Set a schedule for you business and personal life. Eliminate the bullshit.
You as a person and in your business are always going to be evolving. That is a serious process in itself. It can be draining. But if you have all these negative interferences (like the list you made) and your time and schedule isn't being utilized proficiently, you have zapped your Happiness + Productivity. So like I said, eliminate the bullshit.
I take about 15 minutes, every Sunday night, AFTER THE KIDS ARE IN BED, to write down and review my schedule for the week. I then divide up my taskers per day, in a check list, that I mark off as I go. There is a feeling of accomplishment when you check things off. If you make just one large to-do list, it might give you the sense of feeling overwhelmed. So that is why I suggest breaking up the taskers into daily increments.
The final thing I really want to touch base on with you, friend, is toxic relationships. I truly feel that this effects the majority of our happiness, productivity and well being. I feel it causes stress, that can lead to overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, etc. Over all it is a vicious cycle of abuse that is a huge time waster.
I, in my personal life, have eliminated friends and even family members that are hurtful, all consuming, manipulative, dishonest and self righteous. When I chose to do this in my personal life, I gained such freedom, happiness and have never cared to look back because what I gained in freedom and happiness was and still is far more valuable than that relationship that was just harming me.
If it is not a relationship that builds you up, encourages and stimulates your growth, inspiring, encompassed by love... have the self respect, close the door and deadbolt it. Never invite any of that negativity back in.
You are meant for glorious and wonderful things in your life, purpose and the people around you. You are far too smart to be the only thing standing in your way.