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Getting More Done
Posted by Joseph Riggio on Tuesday, September 05, 2006Knowing how to organize yourself for success takes you beyond just getting great results ... it takes you to the position where you’ve built a “trend” to being successful.
Good Evening,
Some days are just more challenging than others ... I don't really know what makes that so all the time, it just seems to be the case.
For instance today was a challenging day. I don't mean it was in any way a "bad day" ... just challenging. Even as I write that I recognize myself the difficulty in precisely framing what I mean by calling it challenging. I know that in part I mean that I had to get myself up for it.
While the specifics of my day aren't necessarily what I want to be writing about today, in this case it may help to have some of them. Generally speaking today was one of those days that there was a tremendous amount to be doing ... or if you'd prefer ... to get done. Probably this second statement more accurately describes my take on the day ... just one of those days where there was a lot to get done. That alone created the challenge to begin with.
Then on top of the knowledge that there was a lot to get done, I also know that there was a time crunch to get it done. I taught three classes today at the university where I am an adjunct professor - that means beginning at 12:00 Noon and finishing up my last class at 8:40PM (20:40). I only have a twenty minute break between classes, so I had no time while I was in the university to get the "stuff" done that I had to get done. And, I'm leaving tomorrow for a business trip for three days and won't be home again until the weekend ... with each day full from morning to evening.
All in all ... a lot of stuff to get done - and little time to do it all (or any of it really). So maybe the idea of calling it a challenging day makes some more sense against this backdrop. But, I find the amazing thing about it all to be:
Often the busier I find myself ... the more I find myself getting done.
Take today for example ... I actually got done most of what I'd hoped to ... I taught all my classes, I produced an audio CD, I'm getting this blog posting done ... all that in addition to the "normal stuff" that goes on ... showering, getting dressed, answering e-mail ... So when I think about this, having challenging days and still getting all the stuff done I begin to wonder, How does this happen?
In response to my own question I've begun to respond ... because the busier I get the more knowing how to set myself up to take it all in AND to take it in, in stride makes a huge difference. This has been a "key" for me for the longest time ... at least consciously since I began apprenticing with Roye. The "key" of knowing precisely how to set myself up has made a huge difference in what the incoming data means to me.
Instead of perceiving the incoming data as overwhelming, which I could understand would be an easy thing to do under these circumstances, from the position I choose to hold ... let's call it a "position of possibility" ... the incoming data remains "just data". And, as just data the only question that comes up for me has to do with what I want in regard to my outcome as the data relates to it (or not).
So from a "position of possibility" all data ... regardless of what that may be ... has equal value in regard to moving me closer to getting my outcome ... even when I don't get my outcome.
That last phrase ... "even when I don't get my outcome" may seem a little enigmatic. However, from the point of view I'm holding that doesn't apply to it for me ...
I may or may not get my outcome ... but regardless the data remains only data getting me closer to my outcome ... even when I don't get the outcome I want. Approaching the data in this way can never move me further from my outcome that it would have if I had approached it from the position of being "overwhelmed" in response to it ... in fact I am assured of getting closer to achieving my outcome than I would have when I'm holding a position of possibility ... even when I don't get the outcome.
The learning in this for me includes that I don't have to get my outcome to succeed ... sometimes moving in the right direction can be enough. Doing this often enough ... i.e.: moving towards my outcome ... has proven to me that over time this will generate a "trend" towards getting outcomes. This trend builds to create a habit of success ... so now rather than perceiving "too much to do" as overwhelming, I know that simply beginning and moving in the right direction will get me to where I'm going when I stick with it.
So go ahead ... Get Started!
Joseph Riggio, Ph.D.
Princeton, NJ
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(3) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Thank you. The reminder for not getting swept away and becoming overwhelmed and keeping incoming informtion as just data was useful.
I know that the more I need to get done frequently I am more effective in getting it done, and yet at some point I sometimes let it flip to ‘overwhelm’ and get very little done. It reminds me of ‘the day before vacation’ -the action level is high as the leaving town tomorrow is a given.
Also, I remind myself to eat -trying to function with low blood sugar does not same time. And to BREATHE.
Lauren
>>i.e.: moving towards my outcome ... has proven to me that over time this will generate a “trend” towards getting outcomes. This trend builds to create a habit of success ... so now rather than perceiving “too much to do” as overwhelming....
Joseph,
As someone who has previously had a tendency to get “overwhelmed” (is there such a thing as being whelmed, I wonder?) I find this piece of advice extremely useful. Moving in the direction of success constantly sets up a habit of sorting for things that work and a movement in the direction of what is is that I want to be doing. They key for me here is the movement towards which I want to be doing, and that obviously cannot occcur from a place of being “overwhelmed”.
With that in mind I contacted a business associate this morning and he laid out in 2 minutes a way of moving forwards with a project that I have been sitting around and pondering for weeks now. What I notice is that while I was reading his email there was a tremendous physical sense of release in my stomach and I shouted out loudly “hey..thats it!!”. And at that moment the realization hit me like a ton of bricks that I had kept the “what” that I wanted in place and I’d totally let go of the “how” and -voila!- the universe had provided once again.
Many thanks
Dennis Charles
I liked this...and reminds me to just begin and “Get Started!” Sometimes getting started is the most difficult step, after you get started momentum builds and then you can really get rolling...this blog is timely for me, as I’ve embarked on training for some races, which takes a lot more than just my normal running routine...and at times is overwhelming b/c I’ve gotten used to just running w/o any real goals or intentions...and too many times I’ll let the overwhelm get the best of me.
I’m a runner and have been running for years. I remember when I first started running track as a kid and I thought a mile was overwhelming especially finishing with a good time and in competition. But, my coach was quick to remind me that runners have to start somewhere and only once started can you get to where you’re going. So, you train and train and run and run and eventually you’re there - with a very nice time and not even winded - well, actually you are winded, or as my coaches would always say, “if you’re not out of breath and vomiting then you didn’t run hard enough!”
As I said, I’ve committed to intensifying my running regime this year and next, which means taking my running up a couple of notches, adding mileage, speed work, form work, etc...and when I find myself saying omigosh, and overwhelmed by 26.2 miles...I just have to remind myself that what I’m doing right now...this long run right now at 5 in the morning, or this sprint work right now, will make the 26.2 possible...just begin and with each stride and with each breath, I’m building in a habit of success. I like that! It may become my mantra with each mile!
I could say a lot about my running adventures...maybe on the list b/c it is so different for me now, having been exposed to the Mythoself-tm work. But, this blog post hit the nail on the head...thanks.
Allison
