UPDATED MAY 4, 2020
I created this page to help me allocate the right amount of time and energy to what I need and want to do. I will update this page regularly as I fine-tune its mandate. I’m striving for better harmony in my life and taking on too much puts the focus I need to work on the above in jeopardy.
I’m also focused on deep work (as described by my friend Cal Newport) going forward, which lines up well with my personal productivity philosophy. I’ll be writing more about this in my weekly ATTN: email and Medium.
MY DAILY THEMES
Here are my Daily Themes. Every day has one so that it triggers my overarching focus for that particular day of the week. My Daily Themes are defined as follows (with my week starting on Sunday), with dates established for those themes in parentheses:
- SUNDAY: Planning/Family Day (April 2020)
- MONDAY: Levelling Day (November 2019)
- TUESDAY: Looking Day (February 2019)
- WEDNESDAY: Listening Day (February 2019)
- THURSDAY: Deep Work Day (November 2019)
- FRIDAY: Triage Day (April 2020)
- SATURDAY: Family/Planning Day (April 2020)
(Note: Giving a day a theme doesn’t mean I only do things related to that theme on that day, but those activities/types of work receive my overarching focus.)
MY MONTHLY THEME
My Monthly Themes act in the same manner as my Daily Themes. In March 2020 I’m using what I call a “hybrid” Monthly Theme. That’s because the theme will apply to both my personal and professional life.
My personal theme for this month is Nutrition. I spent April getting (somewhat) back on track with a fitness routine (as discussed in this podcast episode) but I know that what I eat plays a huge role in my health as well. It’s been a slow start to this month with this theme, but I’m going to give it that extra dose of willpower to live up to the theme and see the outcome of that by the end of the month.
I don’t have a professional theme for May as it was slated to be related to my upcoming book. But due to the current uncertain season we’re in the publication date is likely to be delayed so that the book can deliver a better launch result. Even a Weekly Sprint is out of the question right now. My goal is to optimize and maintain on a daily basis more than anything else. If I can do that, I’ll end each day with the knowledge I had a “minimum viable productive” day (or MVP Day for short).
MY ANNUAL AXIOM FOR 2019/2020
After using Chris Brogan’s “3 Words” approach to the new year for the past several years, I’m shifting to something I’ve developed for TimeCrafting: the Annual Axiom.
Essentially, it’s a phrase or mantra that represents my aim in all facets of my life for the next twelve months. I liken to what sports teams use in their locker rooms every season to help them strive to be the best they can be, game in and game out.
My Annual Axiom for the next twelve months is an initialism for the following phrase: Whatever it takes, no matter what. (I’ve shortened it to WIT NMW.) The concept behind it is that whatever I commit to doing, I’ll approach it with a “whatever it takes, no matter what” mentality. (I’m going to sharing more about this element of TimeCrafting in my book and through my emails around the book at productivityist.com/book/.)
PODCAST INTERVIEWS
I have interviews booked through to June 2020 for The Productivityist Podcast and I have episodes mapped out until early October 2020. So if you’re looking to be on the show it’s going to be a while.
OTHER POINTS OF NOTE
I am not currently reviewing any products (apps, books, etc.) other than those I’ve already committed to reviewing.
SPEAKING
I am always willing to look at in-person and virtual speaking engagements – both keynote talks and workshops. Check out my speaking page to learn more.
This page was inspired by Derek Sivers.