Steak and Carrots | How to get unstuck in 30 minutes or less
"How do you eat an elephant? ...One bite at a time!"
FOMO is on the prowl and you are distracted by the siren song of every marketer in your newsfeed. Opportunities are so abundant that you are overwhelmed and paralyzed to take action!
Here's how to get unstuck in 30 minutes or less:
1. Make a list of everything you WANT to accomplish. No particular order. Don't over think it. Just start writing. Seriously, write it ALL down, this is the place to word-vomit all that FOMO out of your system! (10 min.)
2. Scan the list and decide the ONE thing you NEED to do. The thing that if you accomplish nothing else today, you will feel like the day has been a success. The thing that MOST moves the needle toward your goal. Move it to the top of the list. Dave Ramsey calls this the "A1 Steak Sauce" spot on your to-do list. This is literally the meat and potatoes of your action plan for the day. This is the main course. So plate that prime beef medium-rare and layer it with your "A1" steak sauce. (10 min)
3. Scan the list and decide the ONE thing you WANT to do. This is your carrot, your reward for doing the first task. This is the ONE thing that if you did nothing else you'd feel fulfillment from the day. I prefer to take my carrots and make carrot cake, but hey, that's just me. (10 min)
Step 4. Cross off EVERYTHING else! Better yet, THROW AWAY that list and make a new one with just two things on it. Your steak and your carrots. That's it. Seriously, clear the rest of it from your mind faster than Thanos grooving with the Gauntlet to Lil Jon's "Snap yo' fingers!" in a crowded room! #DUST
Everything else on that list is the enemy of your productivity.
Focus on the painful task first. As Brian Tracy used to say, "Eat the frog" early and be done with it. Then move on to the reward task that motivated you to suck it up and get moving on the tough task.
That's it, you have crushed your FOMO, taken action and made the day count! Now rinse and repeat for optimal productivity!