The Greatest Productivity Tip in the World

Ian McKenzie challenged me to post my best productivity tip, perhaps to share with Ben Yoskovitz's Ultimate Guide to Productivity, so I'll give it a whirl.

My best tip is a simple one:

Slow down to speed up

Sometimes life can go a million miles an hour sometimes, and we get caught up in the chase of life. We go faster and faster, and eventually, we end up doing things we shouldn't be doing, that stick us in unproductive mode, and we spin out of control.

Before you get to that point, slow down, or better yet S-T-O-P everything and reassess where you are, and then, after you've refocused on what's really important, you can speed back up to a much more manageable speed, and you'll be more productive and get MORE done than you did when you were going a million miles an hour.

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Comments

[Carolyn Manning]

So true and so overlooked, Phil. And what's really amazing is that we ignore this concept to the point of burning out. Precisely why I don't like multi-tasking; to much swirling about in the head.

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Thanks so much for sharing yourself Carolyn. I've got a ton of junk swirling in my head too. Sometimes stuff even leaks out. Eew!

[Carma Dutra]

Slowing down is good when you are overwhelmed but sometimes we need to speed up the process. Stay focused and you might not get a speeding ticket. :)

However, I know where you are coming from and I need to listen to that advice especially now days.

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Good points Carma. Sometimes we do need to speed up the process. I think speed can be a good thing, as long as you control the speed and don't let it spiral out of control.

[Lucia Mancuso]

That is a great tip and one I am a firm believer in.

Everytime I walk away, everytime I remove myself ... I always come back with amazing ideas, clear thoughts & serious productivity.

It's hard to balance what needs immediate attention & what is actually the most important.

Slowing down helps you assess the things you need to do to improve things in work & life, so that you can put the things in place that help ensure you don't spend hours with thoughts just swirling in your head.

[Maria Palma]

Ah, Phil, this comes at the most perfect time for me! I was just thinking that I've spent too much time writing...I've been writing faster and faster trying to keep up with all my blogs!

Then today I went for a very long walk...Now I'm refreshed, I've got life back in check and now I'm visiting friends...like you!

Thanks for all the inspiration...you truly are GREAT!