Trigger Success
What did you do when you sat down to your computer this morning?
Did you check Facebook? I did. Did you check email? I did.
Did you have to pull your head back into the game 9M times during the day because you kept getting lost in the shiny objects? I did.
Triggers Matter
Cialdini called this phenomena "click-whirr": The things that trigger our actions. In advertising, click-whirrs are the things that trigger us to buy.
In productivity, your click-whirr is the things you do to get your work going.
So, it doesn't make sense to let email, social media, or unnecessary to-dos lead your day. Those are Loss Triggers. You want to set up triggers that will gear your brain for getting shit done.
You want to create success triggers.
Triggering Success
By skipping the things that distract you, you bring clarity and focus to your work. By doing things that prep your mind for the work ahead, you lessen the chances of getting lost chasing squirrels. Here are some ideas to get you thinking and focused instead:
1. Exercise. Use the endorphins that your body produces to think more clearly, to focus, and to power through. 2. Reading. If you're a writer, you may want to start your productivity reading some of the great writers that impact your emotion so you can channel their inspiration. 3. Taking notes. You can hone what you need to do by taking notes about what you want to accomplish to help you focus on your tasks ahead. 4. Walking. Going for a walk is an excellent way to get your clarity back. 5. Taking a shower. Self-explanatory. And use your scuba board to take notes or write them on your shower walls because you KNOW the ideas flow as soon as the water does.
Creating Your Triggers
Right now, what you already do is a habit. That means it's something you're going to have to break. And breaking habits SUCK. Focus, instead, on creating a new habit.
1. Decide what your trigger is going to be. 2. Write it down on a post-it note. 3. Stick that note on your keyboard everyday when you finish for a month so that everyday, when you sit down to work, you see the reminder until it's engrained. 4. Make sure you follow through with that trigger and flow straight from it into your work routine. Every time. 5. Enjoy your new focus and your new gains. Enjoy your successes.
There, you're losing time and focus by letting Loss Triggers start your day. Create your Success Triggers to create success.
What did you do when you first sat down to work today? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading...kick ass today!
PS
You'll find more tips and tricks like this on April 15th when the Badass'D Biz+Ink CEO Handbook is released (title still in progress :p ) See you soon!