The Little Guide to Getting More Done

get more doneHave you ever noticed that your friends who seem to be the busiest also seem to get way more done than you? And everyone else, for that matter? How do they do it? It doesn’t make sense, right? Logically, busy people have less time to get stuff done, so shouldn’t they should get less stuff done?

It turns out, not so much!

People with more on their plate are proven to get more done than people with little already occupying their time. So, why is this? And how can you make this weird phenomenon work in your own life? Let’s break it down gently and see how you can follow the pattern, whether or not you’re the busiest person in the world.

1. The Hardest Part is Starting

You know the kind of task you put off and off, and off again? It feels like the worst thing you could possibly do and you find every excuse possible to avoid beginning? Eventually, worst comes to worst and desperate measures force you to begin. And then, you realize, “Hey, this isn’t so bad at all. I’m not sure why I didn’t do this months ago.” It’s because often, the hardest part of any task is simply getting the motivation to begin.

This is especially true when you’re not in the habit of starting tasks often. The less frequently do you it, the bigger/worse it seems. Busy people, on the other hand, are in the habit of starting tasks constantly. This means they are always already geared up. They’re in motion, and they just keep starting the next thing on the list without really thinking of it as “starting” and without making it a big deal. Yep, they skip the horrible build-up altogether.

2. Organization is Key

Busy people are often some of the most organized people you’ll run into. Because, let’s face it: they have to be. If they weren’t, multiple things (serious things like jobs and families) would rapidly fall to pieces.

People who are less busy usually also lack that drive to become organized because there’s little to no call for it, or at least a call of utmost importance. This un-organization, then, allows for tasks to get pushed further and further into the future. There’s something about deadlines and calendars that sparks a fire, a sort of spontaneous motivation. When you see a time frame on something, you tend to kick it into high gear.

Deadlines just don’t allow for you to do something “when you feel like it” or “when you get around to it.” Organized people also typically have a well thought out game plan. And, when things are planned, they typically go more smoothly and waste less time, therefore allowing more to get done! It’s a cycle!

3. Delegation Helps

If you notice, busy people also tend to know how to delegate. That is, they may be getting a lot done, but they also know how to be a team player and how to create a team to help them. Not only does this make things easier and allow more to get done, the end result is usually better because it involves using the right people for the right tasks. Taking on a project that’s too big for you or that includes aspects out of your frame of reference will not only mean an extended amount of time needed to get it done, it will probably mean the job won’t be completed as well as it could have. Bring in key players who know what they’re doing. You’ll finish faster, the job will be better, and you’ll have more hours in the day for your next project.

4. Motivation inspires Motivation

Always remember: inertia. Once you get in motion, it’s a lot easier to stay there. Busy people never slow down. And they never feel like they need to, because they’re constantly on a roll. If you can get started (ie: Step 1) then you’re 90% of the way there towards getting more done. Even before project one is finished, start another so that when you finish the first, you’re still in motion. If you don’t let yourself fizzle out, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish!

Author Lisa Trent is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about helping people live more fulfilled lives. She is currently residing in Orange County, CA where she writes and works alongside Coffee Home Direct.