Get the important stuff done today!

1. Take Advantage of a Powerful Part of Your Brain.

Identify your most important outcomes for the next day before you go to bed. You don't necessarily need to know exactly how you will spend the day when you hit the sack. But, while you're sleeping, being sure of the results you want gives your subconscious mind a chance to figure out the best ways to get it all done. The next morning, when you plan your schedule for the day, you'll be surprised by what you come up with.

2. Include Anchor Activities in Your Schedule.

When planning your schedule for the day, make sure you include anchor activities to keep yourself on track. An anchor activity is a task that will force you to be disciplined.

For example, left to my own devices when I am talking to a friend/peer, the conversation might go on for hours. But if I have an important call to make 30 minutes later, I know I won't spend longer than 30 minutes on the first call. So the second call is an anchor activity.

Anchor activities ensure that though you might lack discipline right now, it won't interfere with what you must get done.

3. Do the Uncomfortable First.

Attack your most important, most intense, and highest leverage activities first. Doing so generates momentum and confidence you can ride the rest of the day.

4. Look at Yourself and Learn.

At the end of the day, evaluate your performance. If you did a good job, what, specifically, helped you get it done? If you got off track, what happened? And how can you prevent that from happening in the future? This step is frequently neglected... and that's a shame. Because it's the fastest path to ever-increasing productivity.