Boost Productivity: Trick Your Mind to Success

 Boost Productivity: Trick Your Mind to Success

Maintaining consistency in your streaming initiatives can be challenging, especially when faced with the mundane tasks essential for channel growth. Whether prepping, post-show tweaks or simply starting a stream, finding the motivation can be tough. If you struggle to align your creative priorities, you're not alone. I've been there too, feeling the frustration of unproductive days. In my quest to overcome these hurdles, I stumbled upon a unique approach: tricking myself into productivity.

I understand this method is only for some. I only resorted to it after exhausting various conventional productivity techniques. It's a strategy born out of necessity, designed for those moments when nothing else seems to work. However, I urge caution. Push your boundaries, but never compromise your well-being. Only you truly know your limits, so approach this method with self-awareness and moderation.

Delayed Gratification

When it comes down to it, the ideal way to motivate anyone is simple: dangle a carrot on a stick. It's a classic form of pressure, if the incentive is enticing enough, people will chase after it. Essentially, we all have our own 'carrots' that can be used to motivate tasks we least want to accomplish. However, this process can be challenging. Are you committed enough to deny yourself the things you love until your work is done?

As humans, we are naturally inclined to experience different moods and desires. Some days, the craving might be for pizza, while on others, it's steak. This uncertainty often leads to an aversion to consistency, hindering creative aspirations. As content creators, maintaining structure is crucial. It doesn't matter what mood strikes; if it's a streaming day, you stream. This is where the 'carrot' becomes essential. Now please remember there are exceptions to everything and there are times when circumstances will prevent you from streaming and that’s okay.

Take the example of using social media. When working from home, in our digital age, platforms like TikTok and X (Twitter) can easily become distractions, slowing productivity. By allowing social media use only after completing essential tasks, individuals can turn this common diversion into a reward system. This approach not only enhances focus but also reinforces a disciplined work ethic, making social media a reward earned through productivity rather than a hindrance to responsibility.

Making Tough Choices

You might recognize this next concept from last week’s entry Make Streaming Part of your Life. This method, grounded in the Eisenhower Decision Matrix, highlights the distinction between urgent tasks (such as work deadlines and chores) and important ones (like creative endeavors such as streaming). The essence of this approach lies in addressing the important tasks first.

It might appear as though tasks can be solved in any sequence, but in theory, this isn't true. The tasks you complete first are cleared by the stress and fatigue that accumulate throughout the day. By tackling your creative tasks first be it blogging, creating graphics, or any other essential activity, you ensure that urgent tasks can still be resolved afterward. If these tasks are genuinely urgent, you'll find a way to manage them. However, if you postpone your creative pursuits, spending your energy on other urgent tasks like grocery shopping, work, and emails, you might discover that by day's end, you're too tired to pursue your creative passions.

The reason creative tasks often get sidelined is that they don't feel 'urgent.' People tend to prioritize immediate needs, unwittingly letting their long-term goals slip away. It's a cycle many of us get stuck in, completing urgent tasks while wondering why our dreams seem out of reach. By prioritizing creative goals, we can break free of this cycle and ensure our passions are not overshadowed by day-to-day demands.

Final thoughts

Understanding the strategy and its underlying logic is just the beginning; the key is to discover the right motivation to effectively implement this method in your life. This motivation will be your 'carrot.' Consider this: perhaps you often enjoy relaxing with a favorite TV series. What if you allowed yourself this pleasure only after completing you complete working your blog post? Or maybe you find solace in outdoor activities like jogging, shopping, or taking scenic drives. Choosing one of these activities as a reward for pursuing your goals each day can serve as a powerful incentive. By turning your chosen pastime into a reward for your achievements, you can significantly enhance your productivity. Sometimes, the trick lies in finding the right motivator to boost your efficiency.