Put A Lid On The "ANT" Farm And Boost Productivity
By Laurie Hayes
You wouldn't leave the lid off a live ant farm in your home or office would you?
Why not?
Because you know they'd create a huge mess and eventually drive you mad
once they've multiplied a hundred times over and covered everything in their
path.
For this very same reason, you want to keep a lid on your mind's "ants."
Your mind's ants are those "action needed tasks" that tie up valuable head space
and divert your focus from the single most important thing that needs your
attention.
Mind ants are those constant little reminders you have in your head of things
you have to do like, "pick up supper tonight," "call the bank about the
overcharge," "increase Ms. Jones' monthly order to three units" or "set up an
interview with the media."
These mind ants are generated every time you create a task that requires an
action, no matter how big or small that action is.
And the problem is -- these mind ants are like swarming insects inside your
brain, blocking productivity.
They cloud your focus and take your attention away from important matters.
So, how do you keep a lid on the ant farm?
With two simple rules ...
Whenever you create a new task that requires action, do one of two things.
1. If the action can be taken care of within two minutes, tend to it right away.
It may be as simple as delegating it to someone else. You have prevented the
birth of a mind ant.
2. If the item requires more than two minutes of your time, record it on an
action list. By writing it down, you have spared yourself from having to carry
it around in your mind as a rampant ant.
You don't have to clutter your mind because you have a list to refer to when
you're able to give it your attention.
Because your mind is clear, you can focus on your most important tasks and
follow them through to completion.
Follow these two simple rules and you should observe an instant boost in
productivity.
Leave the ant farm in little Johnny's science class. ;-)
About the writer:
Laurie Hayes is the expert and visionary behind The HBB Confidential, a
no-cost bi-weekly ezine for home-based business owners. Each issue delivers
simple strategies you can use right away to build a profitable home business
while creating fun and freedom in your life! Go to www.thehbbsource.com to
learn more.
By Laurie Hayes
You wouldn't leave the lid off a live ant farm in your home or office would you?
Why not?
Because you know they'd create a huge mess and eventually drive you mad
once they've multiplied a hundred times over and covered everything in their
path.
For this very same reason, you want to keep a lid on your mind's "ants."
Your mind's ants are those "action needed tasks" that tie up valuable head space
and divert your focus from the single most important thing that needs your
attention.
Mind ants are those constant little reminders you have in your head of things
you have to do like, "pick up supper tonight," "call the bank about the
overcharge," "increase Ms. Jones' monthly order to three units" or "set up an
interview with the media."
These mind ants are generated every time you create a task that requires an
action, no matter how big or small that action is.
And the problem is -- these mind ants are like swarming insects inside your
brain, blocking productivity.
They cloud your focus and take your attention away from important matters.
So, how do you keep a lid on the ant farm?
With two simple rules ...
Whenever you create a new task that requires action, do one of two things.
1. If the action can be taken care of within two minutes, tend to it right away.
It may be as simple as delegating it to someone else. You have prevented the
birth of a mind ant.
2. If the item requires more than two minutes of your time, record it on an
action list. By writing it down, you have spared yourself from having to carry
it around in your mind as a rampant ant.
You don't have to clutter your mind because you have a list to refer to when
you're able to give it your attention.
Because your mind is clear, you can focus on your most important tasks and
follow them through to completion.
Follow these two simple rules and you should observe an instant boost in
productivity.
Leave the ant farm in little Johnny's science class. ;-)
About the writer:
Laurie Hayes is the expert and visionary behind The HBB Confidential, a
no-cost bi-weekly ezine for home-based business owners. Each issue delivers
simple strategies you can use right away to build a profitable home business
while creating fun and freedom in your life! Go to www.thehbbsource.com to
learn more.
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