#1 Reason Why Most People Fail At Achieving Meaningful Work
How to Improve Your Focus and Move The Needle
Hello Philo Fam 🤓
We all know the feeling of trying to juggle a million things at once.
It's exhausting and doesn't allow you time for anything new or important, but there are ways around this problem!
I have been time-blocking for a long time. Which I’m going to share with you on how you can do this too.
Over the years, I have learned that most people who want to achieve meaningful work end up failing because they don’t have structure behind their time.
They think “oh, I’ll get to it when I can”, and never realize that this non-action taking mentality is what's actually holding them back.
To be honest, it took me quite a while to learn this lesson too 😏
But that’s why you and I are both here and now! To solve for this once and for all!
And to gain our time back through implementing systems and models that are easy to implement and WORK!
Here are some of the other reasons I've learned why people fail at achieving meaningful work:
Reason #1: People fail because they suffer from imposter syndrome and don’t think what they have to share is of value and that nobody will want to hear from them - FALSE! 🙅♂️
Reason #2: People fail because they don’t have a mental model to use as a visual guide to reduce the cognitive overload - STOP overthinking 🤯
Reason #3: People fail because they haven’t learned how to properly utilize their calendar to their advantage 📅 Remember that shocking time breakdown I provided a few weeks ago!
Overcoming failure is a crucial part of succeeding, moving forward, and making actionable progress.
But don't worry: you’re not alone, we've all been there.
Let’s go over a step by step process on how to achieve meaningful work, gain more time, and set up an easy system that only takes 5 minutes a day.
It’s called Time-Blocking.
How To Achieve Meaningful Work
Step 1: Finding Your Priorities
Eliminate distractions.
Are you feeling scattered and pulled in a million different directions?
If so, it may be time to take a step back and reassess your priorities.
One way to do this is to sit down and make a list of everything that is currently on your plate. Refer to open and closed task list in a previous letter.
Once you have everything written out, you start to see which items are more urgent or important than others.
Another thing to consider is how each task makes you feel.
For example, does one particular project fill you with dread?
If so, it may not be worth your time and energy.
By taking the time to figure out your priorities, you can start to focus your attention on the things that truly matter to you.
Step 2: Reframe Your Mindset Around Using A Calendar
Not using a calendar is a mistake SO many people make.
Listen, I completely understand it can be intimidating but the road to high productivity starts with awareness.
We have to be aware of where our time is going before we can do away with a calendar system.
Some people like Alex Hormozi are able to get up at 4am and get straight to work. I get it! And I have days where I do the same but I know exactly what I’m working on because I reviewed my calendar the night before.
Personally, I do not think I will ever do away with a calendar system. For me, it just alleviates SO much mental pressure.
Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. One man gets only a week’s value out of a year while another man gets a full year’s value out of a week. ~Charles Richard~
A calendar is more than just a tool for keeping track of the date. When used correctly, it can be a powerful tool for improving focus and achieving more meaningful work.
By breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable pieces and scheduling time for each task, you can minimize distractions and better utilize your time.
In addition, a calendar can help you stay accountable to yourself.
By setting deadlines and taking the time to review your progress, you can ensure that you are always moving forward towards your goals.
Using a calendar can help you to achieve greater focus and satisfaction in your work.
Step 3: Build Your Calendar & Time-Block
I’m going to show you how I structure mine below. But first, here are some tactics I do to build & time-block my calendar.
Take 5-10 minutes every evening and plan the following day.
*Philo-Pro tip - Do this on a walk around the block. 🚶♂️
Also, Here's a Mental Model That 10x-ed My Results. This goes hand in hand with how I schedule my calendar.
Rearrange blocks as needed for more important tasks. I have scheduled and recurring “Jam-Sessions” which are 90-minute blocks on my calendar.
I keep them titled as “Jam-Sessions” then the evening before I review my goals, priorities and assign a MVP (most valuable priority) to the 90 minutes window and re-title the block. Example Below: Jam Session is replaced with Philo Letter.
Lastly, don’t over-schedule. You can’t be productive 8 hours straight. Working is not the equivalent of making progress so take time between tasks.
Take 5-10 minutes every evening and plan the following day.
Rearrange blocks as needed for more important tasks.
Review your goals, prioritize and assign the MVP to the 90-minute window.
Don’t over-schedule.
Here is what my calendar looks like.
I use color coding to reduce cognitive overload.
Red = personal stuff
Blue = Personal work & meetings
Orange = Somatic Breathwork business
Notice Tuesday the 2nd - I am currently working on this exact Philo letter with space in between from jumping ship to ship.
The space in between is what allows us to digest. I’ll end up going outside for 10 minutes during that little break to get some sunshine 🌞
Philo fam, please please PLEASE do not become rigid with your calendar. Trust me there are days when I don’t make it to the gym, attend a business breakthrough call, or hit dinner on time.
However, what is non-negotiable are my MVPs which, again, are the titled: “Jam Sessions”, those are my 90-minute un-disturbed high productivity blocks.
If you follow these steps even for just a week, I promise, you will be making progress towards more meaningful work, achieving goals that have felt daunting and reduce the mental suffering of not feeling accomplished.
Selfishly, I want you to experience this feeling so bad because I know first hand how alleviating it’s been for me.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and like you can never get caught up, it’s time to set your priorities and start time-blocking. When you break down your goals into manageable blocks of time, you make progress. And by setting boundaries for yourself, you alleviate the mental suffering that comes with not feeling productive. If you want help gaining clarity on how to become more productive with your time you can schedule a clarity call here and I’ll be glad to help you.
Final Thoughts
Today is a great day for me, for us, to accomplish anything.
A day for our accomplishments and desires to come to fruition.
Miracles, opportunities, and abundance will appear seemingly out of no where.
Today, work through us great spirit and support us in leading us to the greatest and best version of ourselves... For highest good for ourselves and others!
And so it is! Have great week ahead Philo fam and I’ll speak to you next Saturday 🌞
**See below Philo homework past letters, and what’s coming up**
Philo Homework Assignment
Determine 1-3 MVPs.
Share 1 MVP in the comments below. I’ll follow-up with you and keep you accountable!
Time-block 90 minutes to get one or all the MVP’s completed.
Put them ON your calendar.
Then celebrate yourself 🥳
Wanna Catch Up? 📚
What’s Coming Up
Free Workshops
After this section check out the feedback on our recent free workshop under What You Missed - you can also catch the replay at the bottom 🤓
CONTENT BATCHING PT. 2 (LIVE) - Schedule + Distribute - August 28th, 2022
Somatic Breathwork
Somatic Breathwork Online Session - August 14th
If you want learn more before joining the Somatic Breathwork Session you can do that here.
The SON™
Free Self-Transformation 8 Week Online Course - Sept 20th
Philosophical Fellowship: Architects of the Psyche. Join 👉 here👈 for updates