Added Value = Task / Time

Do you feel exhausted?

Are you struggling to maintain the same energy level as when you woke up?

Do you find yourself already tired midway through the day?

Well, let me assure you, this is completely normal—very normal, in fact.

I often receive inquiries from clients asking how they can sustain their energy levels throughout the day. It's important to understand that having the same energy level every single hour of the day is neither natural nor realistic.

I understand that you have ambitious goals and objectives.

You aspire to remain productive and sharp as the day progresses, maximizing your accomplishments within the limited time frame of a single day.

Here's my slogan that I've kept on a sticky note on my wall for many months to inspire me every morning: "24 hours are more than enough!”

 Twenty-four hours are more than enough if you work smart, not hard!

Twenty-four hours are indeed more than enough if you stay laser-focused and eliminate procrastination like a dangerous virus!

Working smart, not hard

Working smart, much like any other skill, requires a range of techniques and abilities that you acquire over time. Numerous studies have demonstrated that humans exhibit patterns of focus and productivity throughout the day. By identifying your peaks of productivity and assigning suitable tasks to each hour, you can unlock your full potential and achieve an astonishing amount of work.

Upon waking up in the morning, your engines begin to warm up, and you gradually reach your peak of productivity at around 9:00 am. This heightened state of productivity typically lasts until approximately 11:00 am. Afterward, you may experience a decline in energy levels, which can impact your ability to complete tasks with the same sharpness and efficiency. However, another peak of productivity awaits you at around 3:00 pm.

After digesting your lunch, you're ready to soar once again. This second burst of productivity generally lasts for about 2-3 hours, after which your level of sharpness may gradually diminish.

Working smart entails assigning the most crucial and mentally demanding tasks to these peak hours. It requires unwavering focus and distancing yourself from any form of distraction. You'll be amazed at how much work you can accomplish if you make a conscious decision to disconnect from everything else and give your undivided attention to the task at hand. In this way, you can allocate tasks of lesser importance to other hours of the day.

Personally, during my less efficient hours, I handle tasks such as answering emails, making payments, and providing instructions. For those hours when my brain turns into a "cabbage," I have a long list of tasks that I can easily accomplish.

However, it is very important that you analyze your physiological response and identify YOUR PERSONAL peaks of productivity. Night owls may experience a different pattern compared to early birds. Plotting your own productivity graph allows you to respect and safeguard your peak hours for the most essential tasks.

By implementing this strategy, you can accomplish an incredible amount of work each day without needing to work excessively long hours.

Stay laser-focused

With the abundance of distractions surrounding us—from endless scrolling on social media to quick snacks or phone calls—it's becoming increasingly challenging to maintain focus. To give 100% of your attention to the task at hand is akin to true martial art, as it requires discipline, training, and determination. Staying focused means remaining committed to your current endeavor, even when faced with adversity. It means persevering in your pursuits, regardless of the chaos and distractions that may surround you.

One highly effective practice for enhancing focus is mindfulness. Dedicate a few minutes each morning to the practice of concentration. Find a quiet and clean space to sit, close your eyes, or fix your gaze on a point on the wall or the space between your eyebrows and give your undivided attention to that one single point. By cultivating one-pointedness of the mind, you become fully present, and you'll witness the magic that unfolds as a result of this practice.

Eliminate procrastination from your vocabulary

Based on my experience working with numerous clients, I have found that the primary cause of procrastination is often perfectionism. It may also stem from a lack of interest or motivation.

But let's envision a scenario where we live passionate lives and where everything we do arises from the depths of our hearts. If that’s the case, why should we delay even a single second when we are acutely aware of the impermanence of each moment and the brief opportunity of life on this planet?

Perfectionism can be a poisonous obsession that many struggles with. What perfectionists fail to recognize is the following equation:

Added Value = Task/Time

While it's true that you may desire to accomplish tasks flawlessly, it's crucial to remember that time plays a significant role in this equation. It is, of course, important to do a good job. But it is equally important to do it within a reasonable timeframe. The longer it takes to complete a task, the less added value it may have.

Let me give you some examples—a groundbreaking pharmaceutical discovery that could save lives, a compelling story that could touch countless hearts or a significant breakthrough that could pave the way for future generations; these important milestones cannot wait for the taste of hyper self-aware perfectionists to be satisfied.

Contemplate your tasks in this light, and you will develop a renewed sense of urgency.