Efficiency and Self-Discipline Win the Game

Even if you aren’t a football fan, it is hard not to get caught up in the hype of the Superbowl.  It’s everywhere, and the sport has productivity lessons for us all.

Mark the Distance to the Goal

While it’s super exciting to grab the ball at kickoff and run all the way for a touchdown, it’s more likely that we will get to the end zone by breaking the job up into smaller plays.  In football they’re called “First Downs”; in life they called steps.  Celebrate the completion of each one, if only in your mind.  Split goals into “downs”.  Take on the longer tasks at the beginning and make each subsequent piece shorter.  When you’re in the Red Zone, with just a few small tasks yet to complete, you’ll be re-energized.

Sequence for Speed

Statistics show that the team ahead at halftime is more likely to win the game.  Arrange your day to get at least three tasks done by noon and enjoy your break, knowing that you have accomplished some of your goals.  The beginning of the day is when you are likely to have more drive; if you waste this valuable time on social media, or inconsequential things, you will likely find yourself behind at the end of the day, wondering where the time has gone.  You want to be ahead going into that fourth quarter, when you have less vigor.

Tackle Similar Tasks together

Our minds thrive on repetition. If you have phone calls to return, try to make them one right after the other rather than letting them interrupt other tasks in the day.  Reports to write?  Once you are in “writing mode” you’ll do the second and third reports faster than you did the first; take advantage of that momentum.  

Punt

Finally, if you didn’t make that third down, if you aren’t making headway on your task list for the day – Punt.  Abandon the chore that’s stalled and put your efforts into something else that needs to be done.  If the words just won’t come when you’re writing a review, give yourself some bench time; take an hour to create the schedules or check e-mails.  OR take 15 minutes, grab a drink and take a quick walk, or do some yoga.  Come back refreshed.  In a football game there are two teams within a team, the offense and the defense.  Give your aggressive, goal-oriented self a break and use your defense to clean up another project.  You’re still accomplishing something important, but you’re giving yourself a break at the same time. Coach yourself the way you would others, and you’ll win your personal Superbowl.


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