small improvements.
I get down on myself if I miss a day. Writing in this space I’ve created here is not meant to add another to-do item on my list of things I need to accomplish each day. It’s meant to hold myself accountable, tell stories of my past and to document the progress I make along the way. Whether I make big leaps to take small steps, as long as I put in a little bit each day, I will consistently make small improvements.
I was struggling to figure out how to outline this piece, and that’s the problem right there. A free and open space like this is designed to get ideas out into the universe and move forward with the day-to-day prioritization.
Roadblocks and daily battles are apart of the game we play. Building a business is an ongoing learning experience that I’ve found has many encounters that are unteachable. That does not mean you cannot learn, it means you can only learn from hands-on experience.
zoom out from a difference perspective.
If you ask a long-term investor like Warren Buffet about market fluctuations, he will tell you it’s not about the day-to-day banter. It’s about playing the long game. Investing in good companies that make small improvements over a long period of time has proven to be a fruitful return. The same goes for yourself as an individual.
While investing might not be for everyone (I think it should be), it’s a lot like self-growth. As long as you are moving towards progress and focusing on what you need to do to make those small improvements, you will keep growing exponentially.
defining progress.
We should be able embrace ourselves and our abilities to notch up slightly every so often. Progress does not have to be sky-rocket results. In fact, progress is slow. Progress can be painful, dull, boring and even a drag. But progress is power.
[prog-res] (n)
movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage.
advancement in general.
growth or development; continuous improvement.
There are no hacks in life.
Although there are countless different ‘life hacks’, you really can’t hack your way through life. Rather than trying to outsmart the system, focus on how you can play a role within your interests and provide value for others. Whether you’re interested in culinary, nursing or finance; figure out what you’re most interested in and run with it.
Making small improvements each day start to add up to a much bigger picture. Getting a little bit better on a daily basis requires discipline and consistency, but that’s where value will be discovered.
stay in your lane.
Don’t worry about what other people are doing. If you mind your business, stay in your lane and focus on what you have to do, you’ll be exponentially more productive with your time.
You’ll never believe how much progress can be made by ignoring the crowd and putting your head down to work. Even when things feel like they are not moving in the right direction, it’s better to show up and do what you have to do rather than push it off. It’s those types of days that you have to grind out to make all the difference over the course of time.
no zero days.
Showing up is half the battle and gets you that much closer to accomplishing your goals. We all like to self-sabotage ourselves by coming up with excuses to avoid doing something. Take the gym for example. It’s so much easier to sit home on the comfy couch rather than get in the car and drive to the gym for a workout. Once you remove the decision-making and simply tell yourself it’s time to get ready and leave for the gym, you’ve already begun the workout process. Even if you have a lackluster workout, you did more than you would have if you stayed home. If you want to stay home, then go for a walk and get moving in some way. Something is better than nothing.
Try to hold yourself accountable and be strict with your top priorities. Personal health and self-care should always be at the forefront of everyone’s daily priority.
doing what works for you.
If you’re searching for ways to get better and start making small improvements, you’re not alone. The best way to keep improving is to set yourself up for success. Make it your daily motive to fulfill your needs, accomplish your goals and get just 1% better each day.
Design a system to put in place that fits around your lifestyle.
Set calendar reminders for yourself, write out to-do lists on notepads and keep records of your small wins each day. Leave post-in notes around the house or send yourself an email as a reminder; whatever you have to do to do keep yourself in-check.
I like to manage workflows that require frequent revisions and attachments with Trello. It’s free to use when you first get started and it’s a super easy platform.
To manage my time more effectively, I like to block off portions of my calendar designated for specific activities. For example, if I need to jump into web work, I turn my phone on silent and don’t reach for it again until I’m finished with my task.
There’s plenty of different digital tools that can help with daily tasks, reminders and workflows to make you more productive. If you’re searching for more tips on managing your time more effectively or want to chat about ways to improve your workflow, feel free to reach out.
Thanks for reading.
- mm