Are You as Productive as You'd Like to be? (Plus, how I got rid of information overload)

13 replies
Ah, the joys of self-employment!

Whether you are a full-time IM or not, your IM work is almost certainly un-supervised. Even worse, it's often un-supervised as well as not encouraged by those around you, but that's a whole different story.

You are solely responsible for being productive and getting things done for your online business and I know that this is something that can be very difficult to deal with.

So, I was wondering: If you have trouble with being productive, what do you think the main cause of this is? I came up with four possibilities:

1. Good old info-overload. There's just so much to learn and there's always something new and exciting just around the corner. It can be really difficult to focus in an environment like this.

2. Lack of a plan. If you don't have a clear idea of where you're headed, it's impossible to find the quickest way to get there.

3. Idle distractions, of which there are plenty, online. Stuff like checking your stats, chatting on skype, hanging out on facebook and twitter, hanging out in forums... you could do nothing else all day and you'd still not be up to all of the days news and gossip! So tempting...

4. Lack of motivation.
Sometimes you know exactly what you'd need to do, but you just don't want to. I know I've often felt that way about link-building chores...

5. You don't have any of these problems and are a productivity machine. In which case: Please share how you do it!

Please answer the poll above and share your own thoughts and experiences.


Here's what helped me most:

Personally, I used to struggle a lot with information overload and "hopping from one thing to the next" syndrome.
Now, I'm happy with my productivity most days. The biggest shift came for me when I sat down, took a long look at my abilities and preferences and made a conscious decision to narrow my focus down. Mainly, I decided I was going to invest more time and energy into creating products, because that's something I enjoy doing and I know it works for me.

I also decided to concentrate on SEO for traffic generation and forget about all the rest. No PPC, no social media, nothing else. I kept my focus squarely on SEO for several months and it paid off.

In short: I made a clear decision about what "my thing" was going to be and also made the decision to ignore everything else.
This worked so well for me, I'm not at a point where I'm considering narrowing down my focus even more and eliminating more points from my to-do list.


Please answer the poll above and share your own thoughts and experiences. Hopefully, we can turn this into a useful, information-packed thread!

Would love to hear your take on this!

Cheers,
Shane
#information #overload #productive #rid
  • Profile picture of the author Lazy
    Great Post.

    When I was just establishing myself in this world, info overload was most certainly my problem. I learned so much every single day. And because I was learning so much, it was impossible to set my long term goals because I found a new system every day.

    Because I realized I didn't know anything at all, I decided to wait until I could understand all the jargon out there, and then decide how to go forward. That took a couple more months of reading. Now I know just about all I need to know in a field of IM that entertains me greatly. Because I'm now so interested in what I do, I can't help but be productive.
    Signature
    WARRIORS ONLY: Get up to 100,000 verified high PR backlinks as soon as tomorrow! RAVE REVIEWS!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125235].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Andy Fletcher
    Is there an option for all of the above?

    I'm happy with my productivity most of the time but I go through periods of suffering from all of them.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125259].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author frankfihn
    Shane, it's so true. I really think that 1 and 2 lead to 3 and 4. Especially when everybody plugging everything makes it seem like it's the next best thing (because they make money from it), it can be tough to begin when pulled in 100 different directions.

    It's kind of lame but I don't keep any shortcuts on my desktop as your video card still refreshes them even when they're not visible but I put one big word doc with a list of my main important goals. I make sure to click this when I start the day as I always seem to end up on my computer first.

    I've never used it but Tim Ferriss recommends periodic notifications from outlook to keep you on track. It's certainly not a bad idea.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125265].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Charlotte Jay
    I voted for the idle distractions. Well, 2 kids under 5 are not really idle distractions, but you know what I mean. Trying to keep the balance between childcare, IM projects and household chores can really put me in a tailspin. I've been really proactive thus far this year though and I'm hoping to follow through for the next 12 months.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125272].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SeanyG
    Family and friends coming to spend time with you. When you live on the beach (in Mexico) its a revolving door of family and friends!

    Aside from playing tour guide, I'm happy with my productivity!
    Signature
    FREE Video DJ Lessons to help you learn
    >>>How To DJ
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125295].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ShaneRQR
      Originally Posted by Lazy View Post

      Great Post.

      When I was just establishing myself in this world, info overload was most certainly my problem. I learned so much every single day. And because I was learning so much, it was impossible to set my long term goals because I found a new system every day.

      Because I realized I didn't know anything at all, I decided to wait until I could understand all the jargon out there, and then decide how to go forward. That took a couple more months of reading. Now I know just about all I need to know in a field of IM that entertains me greatly. Because I'm now so interested in what I do, I can't help but be productive.
      Congrats on making the transition from LEARNING to DOING successfully! I think you're absolutely right: You have to learn and get more information before you can make a good decision of what direction to take, but knowing when to stop hoovering up ever more info and start getting your hands dirty can be tough.
      And it's great that you're doing things that truly interest you. That really is the best motivator!

      Originally Posted by Andy Fletcher View Post

      Is there an option for all of the above?

      I'm happy with my productivity most of the time but I go through periods of suffering from all of them.
      I know what you mean. I rarely suffer from a lack of information or lack of a plan, but all the other options are certainly not mutually exclusive...

      Originally Posted by frankfihn View Post

      Shane, it's so true. I really think that 1 and 2 lead to 3 and 4. Especially when everybody plugging everything makes it seem like it's the next best thing (because they make money from it), it can be tough to begin when pulled in 100 different directions.

      It's kind of lame but I don't keep any shortcuts on my desktop as your video card still refreshes them even when they're not visible but I put one big word doc with a list of my main important goals. I make sure to click this when I start the day as I always seem to end up on my computer first.

      I've never used it but Tim Ferriss recommends periodic notifications from outlook to keep you on track. It's certainly not a bad idea.
      I've tried tons of gizmos and gadgets to help with productivity. Most of them don't work for me (or I don't work with them...). I've found that simple task-managers and to-do lists tend to work best. That, and countdown timers.

      Having your list as a doc file on the desktop is a great example of "simple but effective"!


      Originally Posted by Charlotte Jay View Post

      I voted for the idle distractions. Well, 2 kids under 5 are not really idle distractions, but you know what I mean. Trying to keep the balance between childcare, IM projects and household chores can really put me in a tailspin. I've been really proactive thus far this year though and I'm hoping to follow through for the next 12 months.
      I really can't imagine what it's like to have kids around the house AND try to get anything done. I can only admire you for that!


      Originally Posted by SeanyG View Post

      Family and friends coming to spend time with you. When you live on the beach (in Mexico) its a revolving door of family and friends!

      Aside from playing tour guide, I'm happy with my productivity!
      That sounds like a pretty good problem to have, mate.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125385].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author fjhomer
        Hi Shane,

        Thanks for a great post. It seems to me like you had written this for me, as all these points describe my situation. There are times, I feel very frustrated with myself for any of all of these points, but without good direction, and I have not much hope at all. It certainly is very hard to be productive with only yourself to answer to.

        Very regularly, I recharge myself, and focus on one thing, only to loose it very quickly, because, another shinny thing appears (which I cannot ignore as it may be a better thing),

        I certainly suffer greatly from information-overload, and find I am stood at a junction with seven or ten routes that I can take.

        I thought my IT experience would certainly be a big plus but found it to be hindering me rather than helping, as I think I know better...

        It is also a great disadvantage to have these distractions readily available, as if someone or some thing is testing you.

        I fear the only way out is to be monitored, (a good mentoring system) whereby you are answerable to someone for taking little steps to get you from A to B, accomplish something, before moving onto something else. It then comes down to cost, and finding a trusted mentor that gives you the attention you require, without costing you an arm and a leg.

        I regularly have to listen to, or watch motivational recordings in order to supercharge myself back to reality. That also takes up time (valuable time) which I can ill-afford.

        The greatest regret is feeling like a failure as you watch and see a handful of others succeeding where you started running way before them. Although I often use that as motivational.

        So, if you or anyone else can come up with a magic pill for this ailment, please let me know.
        In the meantime, good luck with your project.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125676].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author brendan301
          for me it's 1, a little bit of 4, and also not knowing what I should do next, i get stuck trying to decide what's the next best step. today i decided to just do SOMETHING. right or wrong, but keep moving forward. if it's wrong i can fix it later.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125762].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Colin Theriot
    Now I'm torn, because I want to answer your excellent poll, but the post made me realize that my biggest current distraction is hanging out on the WarriorForum instead of working on my course... Decisions...
    Signature

    Fair warning: It's possible I'm arguing with you because I have nothing better to do.
    Join my free copywriting group on Facebook: http://CultOfCopy.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125767].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Danny Gardner
    Great post, Shane. I voted for number one.

    My solution for a lack of productivity is very near the same. I've picked one thing that I enjoy and have some proficiency for, and my goal is to become an expert at it. That alone has helped me know how everything fits into place in my internet marketing strategy. I do what I like, and I work on building a team around me that fills everything else in, and together we become very productive.

    Here's something I learned from Bill Walsh, it's called the "10 before 10":

    Before going to bed, write down the 10 most important things you need to do the next day, and schedule to do all 10 things before 10am.

    Personally, when I don't do this I find myself procrastinating on the important stuff, but when I apply this technique, my productivity is greatly improved. What absolutely needs to get done gets done and everything else comes into perspective from there.

    Thanks again for the post, Shane. I'm looking forward to seeing this thread grow into quite the valuable resource.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3125878].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ShaneRQR
      Originally Posted by fjhomer View Post

      I fear the only way out is to be monitored, (a good mentoring system) whereby you are answerable to someone for taking little steps to get you from A to B, accomplish something, before moving onto something else. It then comes down to cost, and finding a trusted mentor that gives you the attention you require, without costing you an arm and a leg.

      I regularly have to listen to, or watch motivational recordings in order to supercharge myself back to reality. That also takes up time (valuable time) which I can ill-afford.

      The greatest regret is feeling like a failure as you watch and see a handful of others succeeding where you started running way before them. Although I often use that as motivational.

      So, if you or anyone else can come up with a magic pill for this ailment, please let me know.
      In the meantime, good luck with your project.
      Yeah, if you're being held accountable, that can definitely help. It doesn't necessarily have to be a mentor, though. Maybe you can find someone to team up with and you can keep each other accountable.

      As for comparing yourself to others: A habit very much worth kicking. There's ALWAYS going to be someone "better" than you, by whatever measure you choose to define "better". Seriously, especially since we tend to judge ourselves more harshly than others.

      You could spend forever just staring across the fence, thinking how much better the other guy is and getting nothing done... while he's doing the exact same thing!
      Don't compare yourself to others. Big waste of life.


      Originally Posted by brendan301 View Post

      for me it's 1, a little bit of 4, and also not knowing what I should do next, i get stuck trying to decide what's the next best step. today i decided to just do SOMETHING. right or wrong, but keep moving forward. if it's wrong i can fix it later.
      Yeah, that's a pretty good approach, I'd say. I've been falling forward, trial-and-error style for years now. Would there have been a faster, more elegant way? Perhaps. But I got good results this way too.


      Originally Posted by Colin Theriot View Post

      Now I'm torn, because I want to answer your excellent poll, but the post made me realize that my biggest current distraction is hanging out on the WarriorForum instead of working on my course... Decisions...
      That would never happen to me.

      It's not like I keep coming back to this thread to see if there are new answers, when there's actually a video I should finish...


      Originally Posted by Danny Gardner View Post

      Great post, Shane. I voted for number one.

      My solution for a lack of productivity is very near the same. I've picked one thing that I enjoy and have some proficiency for, and my goal is to become an expert at it. That alone has helped me know how everything fits into place in my internet marketing strategy. I do what I like, and I work on building a team around me that fills everything else in, and together we become very productive.

      Here's something I learned from Bill Walsh, it's called the "10 before 10":

      Before going to bed, write down the 10 most important things you need to do the next day, and schedule to do all 10 things before 10am.

      Personally, when I don't do this I find myself procrastinating on the important stuff, but when I apply this technique, my productivity is greatly improved. What absolutely needs to get done gets done and everything else comes into perspective from there.

      Thanks again for the post, Shane. I'm looking forward to seeing this thread grow into quite the valuable resource.
      This:
      I do what I like, and I work on building a team around me that fills everything else in, and together we become very productive.

      Was the greates thing that happened to me last year. I finally stopped trying to do everything myself and started selectively leaving some tasks to those far more qualified.
      Thanks for your contribution!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3126051].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rob Howard
    Ugh - Me? I know exactly what to do and how to do it - I just don't have the motivation.

    I loved it when IM was "new" and exciting. Now it's so much of a chore! lol

    That kills most of my work ethic.

    Rob
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3126014].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author willyboy104
    Good post, I find the biggest problem for me personally is having my office/entertainment/relaxation time/sleep all in the same room. I live in Central London, and it's expensive!

    Therefore, me and my girlfriend couldn't yet afford anything bigger, I find it hard to start working now, since we moved in because well everything is combined in to one space and I just cannot get myself motivated enough to start working, instead I might watch TV, play games or go out.

    I seriously need some advice as to how I can change this...
    Signature
    If you want to learn how to make money online, no bullshit click here.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3126041].message }}

Trending Topics