As we wrap up the Productivity Myth Busters series, we are going to hit on a couple of popular productivity tips and some tweaks that have helped them work better for me. I also want to give you a little behind the scenes look at what’s been happening for me as I worked through this series.
Welcome to Episode 33 of Just One Simple Thing.
Before I dive into two popular productivity tips, let me give you a little view of what’s been happening on my side of the mic.
The original idea for the series was to look at common productivity tips and hacks and determine if they really work for everybody.
As I studied, I came across Psalm 16:6 and 2 Samuel 22:20. In these two verses, I was reminded that God has given us boundaries for our protection, and he desires for us to live in spacious places because he delights in us. You may have noticed that message getting stronger and stronger throughout the month, because God just wouldn’t let me let go of it.
This is the heart of my message. This is where I want to lead you in the coming weeks and months. To make the most of God’s calling on your life while still honoring the boundaries he has given, and operating in a spacious place. So even though we are wrapping up this series, this isn’t the last you’ll hear from me about these ideas. I hope you’ll be able to recognize them as a thread tying together all the other topics we cover.
Let’s get into these last two productivity tips.
Pomodoro Plus
In the classic Pomodoro method, you work for 25 minutes then take a 5-minute break. But I found I am just getting on a good roll after 25 minutes, and 5 minutes isn’t enough time for me to do … well … anything. So I’ve adapted it to work 45 minutes with a 15 minute break.
Eat the Tadpoles, Then the Frog
In his popular productivity book Eat That Frog, Brian Tracy advises to do the most challenging and difficult tasks of the day first thing in the morning when you are most fresh and motivated.
I feel most motivated when I can check things off my list, so I try to do a couple of easy things first thing so I can check them off, then I eat the frog. This approach takes a little bit of discipline so you don’t go off chasing rabbits, but it helps me to transition into my work zone and overall improves my productivity.
ACTION STEP
Pick one of these two tips–Pomodoro Plus or Eat the Tadpoles, Then the Frog–the next time you sit down to work. Let me know how it goes for you by tagging me on social media @doanewthing and using the hashtag #justonesimplething
I hope this series has been as meaningful for you as it has for me. I appreciate all the feedback I’ve gotten and look forward to seeing how it helps you maintain your spacious places and pleasant boundaries. If that message is giving some relief to your weary heart, be sure to follow the podcast where ever you are listening and continue on this journey with me. And share it with your friends who could use some space as well.
RESOURCES
I’ve gathered up my top four productivity tips for go-getter Jesus girls. You can head over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing to grab your copy.
Book Recommendation: Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
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