What kind of time and productivity language do you use?
Back in December, I was on Amanda Dennelly’s AHmazing podcast, One Simple Shift.
Be sure to take a listen to our episode: it’s about how you can shift from just being “busy” to truly productive. That includes #truthbombs about the real reasons you’re not taking action on the things that will get you the results you want.
You’ll discover how you think and speak about time and productivity can keep you from moving forward and getting you those results, and what you can do about it.
Amanda’s a mindset coach, and her work and podcast revolve around the idea that what we think, determines our feelings, which determines our actions, which determines our results. And so it is with productivity:
How you think about and perceive time, effects your relationship with and feelings towards time and the time you feel you have, which determines how you spend that time (in other words: the actions you take), which determines the results get (such as what you’ve accomplished or achieved with your time).
Let’s look at a specific example of this:
If you often find yourself thinking or saying “I’m so busy, I have no time, there’s never enough time…”, that headspace creates a feeling of lack or being a victim to time (feelings like stress, resignation, defeat, wanting to give up or like you’re at the mercy of time).
From that kind of place it’s unlikely you’ll take action because you’ve given up your control or you don’t believe you even have control of your time, and what you do with it and how you spend it. Action can look like trying to find solutions, ideas or new and better ways of doing things or even starting something in the first place.
Where there’s no action, there will be no results. Or at least not your desired results. And you’re left wondering where the time went, how could it be 4pm already, and what did you actually do for the last 8 hours. You have nothing meaningful to show for it.
I want to expand on this idea for you today. Here are some of the common limiting thoughts we have around time and productivity, along with productive alternatives 😉
Limiting Thought
> Busy bragging: “I’m so busy”, “I have no time” or “There’s never enough time.”
Productive Alternative
> “How am I going to invest my time today?”
> “What am I choosing to do with my time?”
> When others ask how you are, talk about a specific project you’re working on that excites you.
> When asking others how they are, dig deeper with “What are you excited about right now?”, “What are your challenges today?” or “Tell me about something awesome you’re working on!”
Limiting Thought
> “I’m trying to ___________.”
Productive Alternative
> “I’m creating ___________.”
> “I will ___________.”
> This could be applied to anything…new products, an email funnel, writing a blog post, even clients (yes, you create your clients).
Limiting Thought
> “I don’t know where/how to start.”
Productive Alternative
> Remind yourself that you are already full of knowledge and wisdom, and that most answers are already within you.
> Then get curious: “What one thing can I do now?”, “What’s the first small step I can take?”, “What information do I need and where can I get it?”
Limiting Thought
> “I can’t ___________.”
Productive Alternative
> “I’m capable of anything.”
> “How can I ___________?”
Limiting Thought
> FOMO (fear of missing out) and trying to do all the things.
Productive Alternative
> JOMO (joy of missing out). Celebrate not having to do something and taking the pressure off yourself.
These productive alternatives are based on facts, desires, optimism and curiosity, instead of complaints, wishing and defeat. These new thought patterns will open your mind and shift you to a productive perspective. Enjoy the ride!
Listen to my interview with Amanda here, for even deeper insights into the language of productivity!
Great article. I love your alternative ways to talk to myself positively. There is so much negativity today. Nice to read something that not only says we should be positive, but shows me how. Thanks for sharing.
No problem Rita, glad to help and spread as much positivity as possible 😉
This is a great reminder about limiting beliefs and changing our thoughts. It’s so easy to get caught in the trap of “I must do all the things”, but that is neither helpful or productive, and doesn’t allow you to enjoy any of it.
You are soooo right about that – enjoy the journey on your way to the destination!
I LOVE this! I am in the process of embracing an abundance mindset and even subtle switches in language Are impactful on how empowered I feel in succeeding in our vision. I had been on that “busy” train, but found that doing more work often created even more work until I was always overwhelmed. Now, once re-framing my thinking I stick to the goals that we took time to set and ask myself what’s most worth my time. I have found that, even if that next best thing is taking a nap—I still feel successful in making progress if it supports the big goals. Thanks for reminding to embrace what’s important and to even express this in my language.
You. Are. Amazing. Good for you for getting off that busy train and feeling good about it. PS: I often think that the best thing is taking a nap LOL!
These are all excellent tips – our mindset makes such a huge difference in everything we do. I’m sharing this!
Woohoo glad you love it Beth 🙂 And thanks for sharing – spread the message!
there’s such an important difference between being busy and being productive, and one that most people seem to miss out on. This is a great article! I loved your examples of how to switch your thoughts and words!
Thank you so much! Thoughts and words are very powerful and can change everything 😉
Great post! I love the tips you give to change our mindset! Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome Aaron! Glad you loved it 🙂
Yes! I’m guilty of complaining I don’t have enough time! I needed to read this! Thank you! Serena
Yayyy so happy you found this article to help shift your words (and therefore your productivity) 😉
These are great alternatives to do instead of complaining! This is what I am going to do now!
That’s great news! Enjoy the difference it makes 😉
Such a good read I can’t wait to listen to the podcast!
I’m glad you loved it Jennifer – let me know what you think of the podcast!
Oh I definitely agree that those positive alternatives make all the difference! The hardest part is just getting used to the habit of putting that positive self talk into place.. the usual limiting thought is almost auto response! Thanks for the tips 🙂
You’re so right about the “auto-response” Ashley – it’s too easy! 😉
As a man (or woman) thinketh, right? I’m glad you gave us alternative language. Self talk is so important. I’m curious when being busy became something to brag about. I am definitely guilty of that, but I just wonder when we began to glorify busyness.
That’s a great question Nicole, and a great mystery 😛 I think as technology has advance, so has the pressure we put on ourselves to get more done (tech is supposed to “save” us time, so we “should” be able to do more…!?)