The Productivity Trap

I’m a big fan of productivity hacks. I get a hit of dopamine when people talk about time blocking, effective note-taking, and forming habits. This is great and all, but learning about productivity and behavior change isn’t the same as taking action to improve your productivity or change a behavior.

When learning about a new way of doing things, it’s fun to imagine what the end result will look like. You may even picture yourself taking action on what you learned, but if you’re like me, sometimes the follow through never takes place.

Why is this?

We know the change will be beneficial, so why don’t we just follow through? It sounds pretty simple. And that’s where a mistake can occur. We believe that the change will come easily because the results will be worth it. We do this without thinking about all the steps, details, and other changes that will have take place first.

To combat this I’m going to walk you through a strategy that can be used across multiple habits, but I’m going to focus on one that almost everyone has heard of – the morning routine.

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Creating Habits that Last

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Okay, I think everyone has heard this quote before, but what can it tell us about habit formation? The biggest takeaway, for me, is that there is a step before the action you want to complete.

“I’ll just wake up an hour earlier, work on coursework, and get my workout in before work.” I’ve had this thought many times. Sounds great doesn’t it? Extra time in the morning, progress made on my studies, and a workout done before work? Incredible!

The benefits are obvious. Did I wake up an hour earlier?

…Nope

I had a great outcome in mind, but I spent zero time thinking about the preparations that would be needed to make the outcome possible.

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So, how do you conquer your morning? You win the battle the night before.

Time is always at a premium, but it seems even more valuable in the morning. I chalk this up to the fact that something, or someone, will demand your attention at some point, so your ‘morning’ is finite.

The evening is the reverse. Even though we need to go to bed, it doesn’t feel as pressing. After all, you are the only one at risk if you don’t get to sleep on time.

Use the evening to prepare for your morning. Simple advice, but the stressors of the day often leave us drained in the evening, so the last thing we want to do is more ‘work’. I suggest pairing your morning preparation with something that you enjoy. Turn on your favorite show, listen to music, or drink a cup of yummy tea. Pick something that you can look forward to while the thing you will thank yourself for.

What are some things that you can prepare the night before?

• Your coffee machine
• If able, prep your kitchen for breakfast
• What you will wear for work
• What you will wear to work out
• What you will eat for lunch (if you bring your own)
• If you want to journal or learn, have it easily accessible
• Put your car keys/wallet in the right spot

These simple actions will save you time in the morning. I’m a firm believer that your morning should be able to run on auto pilot. When you’re groggy, the last thing you want to do is make a decision or problem solve.

The easier an action, the more likely you are to take it. Preparing for that action while you’re in an optimal state is a great start.

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So, the next time you want to make a change or have a goal, ask yourself, “what preparations need to be made to be successful?”

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With a sharp enough axe, you can shop down any tree.

Questions for You

What habit would you like to adapt?

What actions have to take place before you follow through with the habit?

Where else would a little preparation benefit you?

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I’d love to hear from you! Comment Below!

Disclaimer: Any links or mentions of companies/brands included in this newsletter are for educational use only. I’m not currently endorsing or affiliated with any products/companies/brands shared in this newsletter, I’m just sharing information.