5 Ways to Show Up Everyday (March Focus Digest)
Welcome to March!
Our monthly Focus Digest is for folks who want to create a more ideal schedule, get organized, and stay in control of the things that matter.
If you are new to the digest… here’s what to look forward to at the beginning of the month:
- A short article on a single concept around focus
- A couple quotes that we’ve enjoyed thinking on
- Links to interesting or related articles from our corner of the internet
- Upcoming events and resource spotlights for our Focus Club members
If this sparks any ideas I’d love to hear from you!
“We do not decide our future, we decide our habits. And our habits decide our future.” — F.M. Alexander
Building Consistency Into Your Life
It took me an embarrassing number of years to finally come to grips with the fact that if I wanted to see big results in my business, then it would mean doing the right actions, on repeat, for years and years.
Switching from one thing to another every few months only results in a million fresh starts with no significant progress.
Shane Parrish “The most significant generator of long-term results is doing things you need to do even when you don’t feel like doing them.”
In short: If you want to be successful, the most important thing is consistency.
And so, how then do you show up ever day? I’m glad you asked.
How to Show Up Every Day
Start by putting away your to-do list and getting out your calendar.
Doing the work is not a task to be completed, it’s an appointment to be kept.
Here are the five things I want to emphasize today because these are non-sexy and yet they are the things that will have the most impact…
- Time and place
- A plan (what you’re going to do)
- A startup routine
- Accountability
- Lower your bar of perfection
1. Pick a Time and Place
As I said, put away your to-do list and get out your calendar. Make an appointment with yourself for 20 minutes (or more if you’re feeling brave) and put it on the calendar. This is when you will do your most important task / habit / routine.
As with all important things you want to do on a daily basis, your chances of doing them are much better if you have planned the time for when and where you’re going to do it. (See also: Creating Blocks of Time for the Important Things)
2. Have A Simple Plan
When you show up to do your most important habit, you need to be singularly focused. For example, when I sit down to write each morning, I know exactly what the topic will be. That’s because I planned ahead the day before.
3. Startup Routines Are Awesome
My morning writing routine is basic. I sit down at my desk, hit play on the Monument Valley soundtrack, and start working on the task that I have planned out already.
This startup routine aids in the repetition. It helps me get started. Systems and processes and boundaries and rituals are what keep you on track, day after day, year after year. Lots of folks will tell you that you have to do this or that for your morning routine, etc. But learn what works for you.
4. Get Accountability
This comes in two forms: external and internal.
Externally, when you’re on the hook for something, you’re far more likely to get it done. This is part of why I’m committed to sending out my email newsletter every Friday. It’s a public expectation that keeps me on the hook for writing and publishing at least one article per week.
Internally, you can keep yourself accountable by recognizing and even celebrating your daily progress.
5. Lower the Bar of “Perfection”
Try not to hold yourself to a standard so high that you will only feel the pangs of shame at not succeeding right away. Instead, hold your output to a lower standard than normal so you can focus on consistency.
As you are building your new habit, the aim is little more than to show up and keep your appointment with yourself. Doing your best work is already a fight. Don’t make it harder on yourself than it has to be. You’ll return again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.
Simple Habits (half-priced course this month)
With good habits in place, your life is easier. Not to mention, habits are the single greatest drivers of growth in our personal lives and in our work.
That’s why successful people use routines and habits to keep every area of their life on track.
We are kicking off this month with a half-price offer on our popular course for building better, simpler habits (and how to use them to your advantage for saving time and making life easier)
👉 You can get the Simple Habits course for half-price here.
Let’s Build Your Habit Tracker Together
Would you want to join me next week (Tuesday, March 12) for my live workshop and coaching call?
(At least once a month I host a coaching workshops for the members of our Focus Club. For example, last month I worked hands-on with members in the community to build and plan their ideal week.)
If you want to attend this month’s workshop, then I’ll be able to work with you to identify a “Lifestyle Habit” that aligns perfectly with your most important goal, and then get you set up with your habit tracker of choice.
Sign up for a Club membership here to get access to the Events Calendar.
Speaking of… When you do sign up for Focus Club, you’ll also unlock our entire course library as well as the Resource Vault that’s full of things like habit tracking templates, time management worksheets, productivity cheat sheets, and more.
Sign up here for Focus Club before the next coaching workshop.