Execution

Execution is the discipline of getting things done. In today’s world, we tend to be distracted by our surroundings. We tend to say we don’t have enough time. We tend to say ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’.

Well, when you make excuses for your workload, you add more stress to yourself. Execution requires strict self-discipline.

“Personal productivity is a key differentiator between those who succeed in their chosen field and those who do not,” says bestselling author Brian Tracy. So I’ve noted down top tips to increase your productivity.

The first thing you should do is change today. There will be times when you know you have to change in order to move forward when things are not working as well as they used to. If your dreams don’t match your tasks, you have some work to do.

Then stop complaining and solve the problem. Complaining is energy-draining and you do not accomplish anything productive nor solutions to your situation. Choose to focus on solving the problem instead.

You should motivate yourself. You need to visualise what you want and understand the level of work that comes with achieving your goal. Constantly take action and take initiative without having to be pushed by others. This is the ability to focus on what matters most.

Take every obstacle as a learning opportunity. I thank Paige Ekandjo for this tip. You need to grab every opportunity to learn whenever, no matter the topic, because you know that you will gain something from it.

Continually gaining knowledge and information is crucial in order to be up to date in today’s society, instead of being the one saying ‘LOL’ all the time.

You should also plan ahead. We tend to work great with paper and pen as it involves making plans for maximum productivity. Writing is a way to help process things. It clears your mind of thoughts that would otherwise sap your energy and provides a sounding board for ideas. Get yourself a daily planner and plan your day, write every thought and idea that comes to mind and never go to bed with your To-Do list incomplete.

Shut down the internet, not forever but just for the duration of your work. It’s really tempting to revisit sites as we all know you that 10-minute break can easily turn into losing hours of valuable work time. For those who use Google Chrome, there is an extension called StayFocusd that basically temporarily blocks websites.

Try turning off your phone. We are more addicted to our cellphones than to anything else, so don’t even bother with putting your phone in silent mode. Don’t be so available to everyone. Turn off all devices and think, create, plan and write. Zero interruptions, pure focus and massive results.

Do one thing at a time. Focus your entire attention on one task at a time. If the task is complex, divide it into sections. When we try to focus on several things at once, our productivity decreases. Start setting deadlines because decisions need to be made promptly and setting deadlines helps those decisions get made.

Be flexible with time. Instead of having a set schedule each day, allow yourself to feel inspired, let the creative energy naturally come to you and begin working right then. Our productivity is greatly determined by how inspired we feel at the time of working on a task.

Set up productivity rituals. Set one key task to accomplish per day therefore start your day focused on that task. Force yourself to prioritise so that you know that you will finish at least that one task during the period of the day when you have the most energy and the fewest distractions

Lastly, get up earlier. Mornings can make or break your day. Productive people wake up as early as 04h00. Waking up earlier allows you to not rush your morning. Dump everything out of your mind first thing in the morning. Say to yourself ‘mind over mattress’ to motivate yourself to get out of bed to pursue your goals. While you’re asleep, there’s someone out there with the same goals working twice as hard.

Nyeuvo Amukushu is a Grade 11 pupil at Oranjemund Private School. Email her at nyuevoamukushu@gmail.com or follow her on

Twitter @NyeuvoAmukushu.