1. Prioritise; plan each day in advance

An average person who develops the habit of setting clear priorities to get important tasks done; whether hourly, daily or weekly will run circles around a genius who talks a lot and makes plans but gets nothing done. The key to success in this respect is to establish a habit of making these ‘top-priority lists’ prior to the day they are to be actioned. Each task should be listed from A – E, F,G etc. based on importance and the measurable result each task will yield.

2. List Key outcomes and he tasks which need to be completed to achieve these

Sometimes it can be helpful to break down your ideal outcomes into the individual tasks which need to be executed to achieve said outcome; work backwards. Try to break these outcomes into the smallest measurable task. For example, if you are looking for a new job the end result is a job offer. Break that down into how many interviews you need to attend, how many discussions with recruiters and how many CV’s you have to send and assign a time-oriented deadline to these tasks. You could even break that down further into revamping your CV and creating a customised cover letter for each role.

3. Minimise technology time-sinks

Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram. Need I say more? Though these tools have an important place, they often suck up more of our precious time. An interesting exercise (if you can handle the cold, hard truth) is to track your time you spend on any of these sites each day; mark each increment down and add it up at the end of the day…you might be surprised at the result. 

4. Identify key constraints

In setting yourself priorities, goals or any other achievable outcome it is always important to be realistic in order to make the outcome realistically achievable. Before arranging your to-do list, make sure to take note of scheduled tasks which may get in the way of achieving your A-Z list. Things like meetings, family commitments, financial restraints, etc. Once identified, plan for them; better to plan to act than react at the last minute.

5. Pressurise, take charge, motivate and reward

Ever feel like you are waiting for that ‘Eureka’ moment or the strike of lightning to jumpstart you into action? I have some sad news for you. No one but you will be able to provide the long-lasting motivation you are looking for. To reach your full potential you must form the habit of pressuring yourself rather than waiting for someone to do this for you. Consistently raise the bar for yourself, create imaginary deadlines, visualise your long term goals and break them down. Set targets for yourself and once reached reward yourself with a predetermined incentive. Successful people continually put the pressure on themselves to perform at high levels. Unsuccessful people have to be instructed and driven by others to succeed. Which one are you?

6. Just DO IT!

One of the most helpful things I find; after having executed all the above is to just do it; just rip off the Band-Aid quickly and get started!. I find if I don’t think about it too much; launch into the activity and just start, it helps to get the momentum going and before I know it, it’s done and I can move on to the next task.