1. Pause: Avoid focusing on only the urgent, think about the important too. To do this requires a few minutes of quiet reflection to form at least an outline of a plan. This may seem like you’re wasting time but in fact some up front planning will mean less problems in the long run.
2. Just do it: Once you have a plan in place don’t procrastinate. One of the main causes of procrastination is perfectionism, a tendency to negatively evaluate outcomes and one’s own performance. Don’t worry about making a mistake, just do the next action!
3. Understand your natural cycles: Just as nature is governed by cycles, so is the human body. Most people are generally aware of the 24-hour cycles of sleeping and waking that are the major components of our circadian rhythm (circa dies means “around a day”). Less commonly known, however, are the body’s ultradian rhythms (ultra dies means “many times a day”) that occur in cycles throughout each day. Eye blinks, heart rate, hormone regulation, thermal regulation, breathing … the list is almost endless, and some of these activities help account for the energy cycles we feel throughout the day.
4. Focus: The vast majority of people focus too much time and energy outside of their Circle of Influence, in their Circle of Concern. Such people typically worry about things they cannot control. Preoccupying yourself with issues like that is a huge waste of time and energy. Covey notes that highly effective people think and act primarily within their Circle of Influence. They forget about the things over which they have no control, preferring to focus their time and energy on issues where they can actually make a difference. By doing this, they gradually expand their Circle of Influence as they earn more power and respect.
5. Let go. Nobody can achieve everything, so don’t try: delegate
6. Say NO!
7. Revive dead time. Stuck in traffic? Flight delayed? Transform productivity blackspots by keeping a list of ongoing projects with you at all times. It’s surprising what will rise Phoenix-like from the ashes.