6 SIMPLE HACKS

FOR GETTING MORE DONE

BETTER

© 2

015

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It’s Not ABOUT INTENT

It’s ABOUT TIME

Translating intention into effective action is about more than planning. It’s about knowing what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and why it matters. And then actually doing it.

Everyone has the same 168 hours in a week. Most of those hours are already spoken for based on your biological and relationships needs. How you use your remaining hours determines whether you achieve what you want or simply end up getting what you get.

Wisely budgeting and investing time is a skill that can be taught but you will need to practice. Anyone can want it. The question is: WHEN will you do it?

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ONE: MAKE YOUR GOALS A PRIORITY

TWO: PLAN TO GET UNSTUCK

WHAT IS MAKING YOU MOST UNCOMFORTABLE

RIGHT NOW?

Generally what makes people most uncomfortable are the things that trigger internal identity conflict or carry a risk of social rejection. The problem is it’s likely causing you to avoid,

suppress, or act out in ways to deflect your attention from your discomfort. This is sometimes called procrastination. Here’s how to get comfortable again:

First: DEFINE DONE (Be clear about your desired outcome)

Second: DEFINE THE NEXT PHYSICAL ACTION you can take towards done. (Break down your problems into simple next steps or if it’s a big problem breaking it into a set of smaller

problems and next steps)

Third: DO. (Doing is how you make the problem actually go away.)

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THREE: PLAN TO FAIL

THIS IS an Opportunity, not a problem.

A CHALLENGE, NOT A THREAT.

On the road to success suffering may be optional but struggle isn’t. The gifted have no advantage over the awkward. Only effort teaches us how to do things right and how to not do things wrong. Failure won’t be easy, but even partial accomplishments reduce the size of your problems, grow your confidence, give you skills to move forward on other challenges, and inspire others to face their obstacles. So: fail, experience rejection, make a mistake, lose the contest, invite the critique,

collect the data point, and on the way you’ll learn something.

Anything worth doing is worth doing wrong at least once. (Great things are worth doing wrong lots of times.)

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FOUR: GRIND IT OUT

BUSY IS EASY

PRODUCTIVE IS HARD

Spending your day addressing ONE uncomfortable problem is more useful, more constructive, and harder to do, than a full day of “being busy”. Your focused attention is

the secret to moving closer to being done.

Hint 1: Don’t work on your problem alone. Inviting others to help you reframe your problem into a set of smaller problems, collaborate on possible solutions, and provide

feedback, will make the problem much less overwhelming.

Hint 2: TimeBox your efforts. An hour for initial brainstorming, an hour for defining done, an hour for collaboration, an hour for planning, an hour for resource budgeting, an hour for asking for and processing feedback, an hour for doing the “next step”. (with an hour

for lunch) And before you know it you’ve gotten something done!

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FIVE: TAKE A STEP BACK

“It’s JUST An IS”

It’s easy to get caught up in emotions and in labeling your abilities or situation as “good” or “bad”. When your mind’s thoughts and bodies feelings say you must DO SOMETHING even

though there’s nothing you can do - you’ll naturally be stressed, overwhelmed and anxious. This is not a productive frame of mind.

The better you see a situation the better you can influence an outcome. Calm clear heads prevail. The ability to PRACTICE DISCERNMENT WITOUT JUDGMENT only comes with

practice. Practice accepting inputs as you find them, detaching from expectations, seeing your choices for what they are: as experiments that collect a “lesson learned.” Stress is the result of

trying to control that which is outside your control.

Sometimes the most constructive way to engage is to observe.

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REFRAME TO FUEL

action NOT TO TAKE COMFORT

SIX: TAKE A STEP FORWARD

The labels we use for ourselves and others, that we attach to ideas, things, problems, and opportunities either limits or expands how we think and what we do about them. As sense

making/storytelling creatures it’s natural for us to jump to conclusions; to “the answer.”

The secret to growth is defining our world through our potential to change it. Next time you encounter a problem try reframing it as either a given that needs to be worked around or as

an opportunity to learn something new.

Sometimes something “is an is” and sometimes something “is a could be.” Free

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#1 It’s Not ABOUT INTENT It’s ABOUT TIME Anyone can want it. When will you do it?

#2 WHAT IS MAKING YOU MOST UNCOMFORTABLE RIGHT NOW? Define done, Define the next physical action, Do.

#3 THIS IS an Opportunity, not a problem. A CHALLENGE, NOT A THREAT.

Anything worth doing is worth doing wrong at least once.

#4 BUSY IS EASY PRODUCTIVE IS HARD Don’t work on your problem alone. Timebox your efforts.

#5 “IT’S JUST AN IS” Sometimes the most constructive way to engage is to observe.

#6 REFRAME TO FUEL action NOT TO TAKE COMFORT Sometimes something “is an is” and sometimes something “is a could be.”

SIX SIMPLE HACKS

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A Brand Strategist is a kind of coach/consultant helping individuals and organizations resolve conflicting value choices, clarify mission, articulate message, strengthen relationships, improve practices, build culture, and improve value. We integrate your stories into the larger narrative of what you care about, who you care about, and why you care; so that you can make better decisions, and take more effective action. DF (Duane) Hobbs is an

independent brand strategist specializing in value proposition.

Representative clients have included Point B Consulting, Seattle’s Lighthouse for the Blind, Wine Brothers Publishing, Optimer International, The Student Conservation Association, Plastic Sales & Service, Infinite Technologies Corp., and Safeco Insurance.

Prior to his current work Duane was the founding partner and Creative Strategist of the marketing communications firm Andrews/Hobbs Design from 1993 to 2010, and before that owner/designer for the boutique graphic design firm Duane Hobbs & Visual Marketing.

For more information, insights and inspiration connect with him on Linkedin Twitter Pinterst G+

Coach & Mentor Team Alignment Workshops & Seminars

Brand Strategy Value Proposition Opportunity Development

Brand Management

Marketing Plans Creative Strategy

HOW BRAND COACHING CAN HELP YOU

© 2

015

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.com

#1 It’s Not ABOUT INTENT It’s ABOUT TIME Anyone can want it. When will you do it?

#2 WHAT IS MAKING YOU MOST UNCOMFORTABLE RIGHT NOW? Define done, Define the next physical action, Do.

#3 THIS IS an Opportunity, not a problem. A CHALLENGE, NOT A THREAT.

Anything worth doing is worth doing wrong at least once.

#4 BUSY IS EASY PRODUCTIVE IS HARD Don’t work on your problem alone. Timebox your efforts.

#5 “IT’S JUST AN IS” Sometimes the most constructive way to engage is to observe.

#6 REFRAME TO FUEL action NOT TO TAKE COMFORT Sometimes something “is an is” and sometimes something “is a could be.”

SIX SIMPLE HACKS FOR GETTING MORE DONE BETTER

Free

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hare

with

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