A Simple Hack To Increase Your Productivity, Today

When setting out to optimize my summer this year, I thought about what I could do in order to stay focused on producing the best quality things I could make. In this process, I’ve made one small adjustment that has been critical in moving forward on projects all summer.

I opened a new doc on my Mac and typed, as big as it would fit across the page:

Where is my focus right now?

I made sure that I chose to write it in Typewriter font, as I wanted the subliminal reminder that writing was a main focus for me this year. I printed it out on a simple piece of paper and taped it to the wall above my desk where I would see it every time I sat at the computer. I can’t begin to tell you how effective it’s been. Well, I guess I am beginning to tell you here, but you have to try it for yourself. It’s been game changing for me.

I’m not sure where I heard this quote/question from initially. I’m not even sure that it is an actual quote, but I remember this idea landing with me while listening to a podcast or watching a YouTube video. Maybe it was Jesse Itzler or Tim Ferriss?

Again, I don’t remember where this came from. The point is, I stopped what I was doing and wrote this down, with a pen on paper. I was so impacted by it that I thought, ‘I need to print this out and hang it on my wall.’

Just having this gentle reminder keeps me from scrolling endlessly through social media and YouTube. It keeps me from chimping the surf report once every 5 minutes. It keeps me focused and it’s surprisingly simple.

When I am at a log jam in my production for the day, it nudges me along to think about what actually matters in that moment. It’s a quick self-check.

Where is my focus right now?

In other words, am I focused on the s#!t that matters right now?

Even when I am actually doing the thing that matters in that moment, it’s like getting a pat on the back. I’m like, ‘Yeah, I am actually focused on the s#!t that matters. Keep going.’

It’s a way to stop for just a second and ask yourself if what you are focused on in this moment is actually moving you forward. What’s not written on the paper is the inherent follow up question that comes to mind, ‘Is this the most important thing that I need to do?’

Let me give you an example of how it’s recently worked for me.

I went down the rabbit hole looking for cameras. I was on the computer checking new cameras, used cameras, different formats, different sites for availability, price comparisons, and reviews.

At first this felt productive. Why? Because, when I read the question on the wall, ‘Where is my focus right now?’ I answered, ‘Well I’m trying to see what tools are available in case I get busy with photo jobs, I want to know that I can be prepared to deliver.’

Then, days later, doing the same exact thing I read the question off the wall again:

Where is my focus right now?

This time, I still answered the question generally as ‘I’m looking for camera gear,’ but now it had a different answer to the follow up, ‘Does it matter?’ This time the answer was different.

I had already done all of the comparisons, read all the reviews, decided on the two or three options I had seriously considered. I did the research, now I was compulsively looking at everything again, as if the facts would have changed within the past 5 days. This time, just having this simple question written on my wall, I was able to snap out of my delusion. ‘This is a waste of time. Create, that is the only thing that matters right now.’

In fact, today, it’s already snapped me out of a time wasting malaise. So here I am writing about it. It works. At least, it’s worked for me.

There is one caveat to this working for you though and it’s an important one.

It has to be hung in a place where you can see it.

I used masking tape to hang mine, so as to not damage the wall. I used all materials I already had laying around the house, it didn’t need to be fancy, it just needed to be in a place where I would see it while I’m working. Make it simple and easy. The beauty of it is in its simplicity. Do it today.

It falls into the background most of the time. But it’s in those micro-moments where this sign sings.

When you first walk over to your work it’s a reminder. Every so often, when you take those eventual glances away from the computer, it’s there. It shows up when you need it and it’s so effective.

It’s simple. It costs virtually nothing. Even if you don’t have a printer you can still write it with a pen or a marker and hang it on your wall. It’s a cheap and easy way to keep you moving forward, in the direction of your most desired goals.

Give it a try for yourself. Do it today. It’s easy. I hope you find it as useful as I have.

Here is a picture of it hanging on my wall to the left of my computer. I see it everyday and as simple as it is, it has worked for me. Photo by author.