Simpleology Blog

Doing It. Sasha Cagen, author of To-Do List: From Buying Milk to Finding a Soul Mate (What Our Lists Reveal About Us), points out that our lists are extensions of our lives.

A to-do list can either be a blessing or a curse. It's a blessing if it helps keep you focused, but it becomes a curse when you see it as "a testimony of all the things you probably won't be able to accomplish."

Simpleology user Jamie Edison certainly saw it this way. "For years, I kept writing to-do lists that would just haunt me," she shares. "It was not until I signed up for Simpleology that things became clearer to me. The course helped me get in touch with my common sense."

Aside from teaching her to stick to realistic goals, Simpleology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want also made Jamie come up with her own to-do list tips:

1. Think small. "Your to-do list doesn't have to be long," Jamie says. "It can be just three important things you have to do for that day. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. You have to be realistic about what you would be able to accomplish. Otherwise, you'll spread yourself too thin and just end up not doing anything right."

2. Set it off. "Don't let your list become the task," states Jamie. "In the past, I made the mistake of overthinking my list. Thus, I wouldn't get anything done anymore because I had wasted all my time in coming up with a list. Take 15 minutes each day to write your to-do list and then start on your first task as soon as you put down your pen."

3. Get help. "If you're really in such a scatterbrained state, it'd be a good idea for you to get a friend to help you think things through. It can't just be you and your to-do list. Another person would also be more impartial about your to-do list. In my case, my husband was the one who said, 'Honey, with all these things you want to do... How on earth are you going to fit in sleep?'"

To-do lists are supposed to help you get results, so make full use of them by getting things done in the most efficient way. As Jamie advises: "By keeping things simple, you'll find that you'll actually get more done."

Don't let your to-do lists overwhelm you. Check out Simpleology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want for tips on how make the most out of your time.

Posted by Grace Cook at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Who hasn't put off doing things at one time or another?

In It's About Time: The 6 Styles of Procrastination and How to Overcome Them, Dr. Linda Sapadin and Jack Maguire write: "Of course, everybody procrastinates occasionally. An unusually messy closet gets cursed for months without ever being cleaned, or the task of writing an especially difficult letter is put off until the last possible minute."

Root Cause
Sapadin and Maguire further investigate the problem that is procrastination and point out that its roots are deep. "For many people, [procrastination] is chronic, pervasive, and deeply-rooted," they analyze. "Because of how, as children, they were conditioned to think, speak, and behave, these individuals have a built-in tendency to not only procrastinate whenever they face a challenging situation, but to do so consistently, in the same way."

Sapadin and Maguire likewise classify procrastinators into six types: Perfectionists, Crisis-Makers, Worriers, Overdoers, Defiers, and Dreamers.

Timely Breakthroughs
While each procrastinator has idiosyncrasies that distinguish him from the rest, Sapadin and Maguire assert that all procrastinators have to take these steps to break free from the bad habit:

1. Stop the negative vibes. Chronic procrastinators have a high level of frustration. This is because they often feel angry over the fact that nothing seems to be happening in their lives. "Some direct this feeling inward and come to regard themselves--at least in certain respects--worthless, stupid, unreliable, or incompetent," say Sapadin and Maguire. So, isolate your procrastination problem and don't let it spawn more negative feelings.

2. Own up to the truth. Procrastinators who don't own up to their problems may also direct "anger at the people around them" or express "resentment of the situations they're in." Own up to your procrastination problem and start finding a way to break away from it with "more productive ways of speaking, thinking, and acting."

3. Take note of your procrastination triggers. You have to pay attention to the factors that make you want to put things off. Keeping track of your reaction to certain situations would make you more conscious of the behavior that you have to correct. Take a notebook and take note of your weak moments. It's not going to be easy to do this, but you have to come clean so you can eventually move forward. You shouldn't keep making excuses like "There's no perfect time for me to do it," "I'm not ready yet," and such to avoid doing things that take you out of your comfort zone. Procrastination shouldn't become your dysfunctional "security blankets."

Good Prognosis
Chronic procrastinators need not despair. "You can solve your [procrastination] problem, no matter how long suffered from it or how hopelessly trapped you may feel," assure Sapadin and Maguire.

As long as you're committed to licking your procrastination ASAP, you're guaranteed a successful rehabilitation and a productive life.

Be as productive as you can be right now! Begin by signing up for Simpleology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want.

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I get thrown off each time I hear one of my friends complain that they're too old to learn something new. Aside from the fact that they're only in their late 20s, I think it's counterproductive to paint yourself into a corner that way. They ought to take inspiration from Simpleology user Robert Johnstone, a self-confessed "mature age" student who declares, " You're never too old to learn. Life is a continuing series of experiences."

1. It helps you appreciate constant change. Simpleology101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want highlights the fact that everything is in a state of flux. By being conscious about this ever-evolving state, you will find it easier to chuck old habits and take on new ones that are more effective. "The Daily Target Praxis has helped me refine my daily routine in order to hit my targets with greater efficiency and regularity.

2. It teaches you how to think long-term. Simpleology helps you achieve your goals by guiding you through easy-to-follow steps. These steps, when done consistently, contribute to the benefits that offer a big pay off for you in the long run. "I already see the benefits in my daily operations," Robert explains. This way, you also learn to deal with impatience and pace yourself.

3. It gives you a positive outlook for the future. "I'm excited about my future successes from applying Simpleology's principles. I am certain of the positive impact that they will have on my quality of life and on my family, as well as all those with whom I come in contact with." The convergence of all the principles that Simpleology is founded on improves your future projections.

As Robert found out, anyone can infuse the teachings of Simpleology into their lives. It all starts with freeing your mind from all the assumptions that will hold you back.

Credits: Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Suggested Resource: Sign up for Simpleology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want and start learning things that will help you be the best you can be.

Posted by Bean Jones at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Email Horror. Time management expert Peggy Duncan discusses the top email management problems.

Email, for the most part, is a lifesaver. But then, it could easily become a pain if you don't manage it right. And, apparently, a lot of people are stumped over their emails. My friend Ned even said, "You know, I think of my inbox as the door that mustn't be opened. Like in horror movies. You don't want to go there if you know what's good for you. I am so sick of my email."

Apparently, many other suffer from "email sickness."

Costly Interruptions
"Email overload is the leading cause of preventable productivity loss in organizations today," writes Ross Mayfield in his article "E-Mail Hell."

Mayfield, who is the chairman, president and co-founder of social software company Socialtext, points out: "Basex Research recently estimated that businesses lose $650 billion annually in productivity due to unnecessary e-mail interruptions. And the average number of corporate e-mails sent and received per person per day are expected to reach over 228 by 2010."

Growing Dilemma
Thus, The New York Times' Randall Stross, in his article "Struggling to Evade the E-Mail Tsunami," emphasizes "the importance of avoiding overnight e-mail indebtedness" and "the need to shield ourselves from incessant distractions during the day when individual messages arrive."

But despite the wise words of Ross and other email management experts, many people still get overwhelmed by an overflowing inbox. Tips on email management abound, but people need more immediate tools or guides do combat email sickness.

Fast-Acting Remedy
Simpleology's Email Survival Action Cashmap Package promises to offer relief for the ubiquitous email affliction.

The course covers all the bases when it comes to finding a solution for all your email concerns. It offers practical moves for a broad spectrum of users in lessons such as "Implement an Email Management System" and "Hire an Email Manager." Moreover, it gives you rock-solid principles that you can use to devise your own email management strategy.

It's about time that you stop being afraid of what you might find in your inbox. Sign up for the Email Survival Action Cashmap Package.

Posted by Bean Jones at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ever heard of the Productivity Paradox?

Until recently, I didn't know that such a concept actually had a name. The Productivity Paradox, which is also known as the Solow Computer Paradox, took root in American economist Robert Solow's 1987 quip. "You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics," he observed.

Puzzling Development
Put simply, the Productivity Paradox is defined as the discrepancy between the degree of automation and the work output. It asserts that the number of technologically advanced machines and gadgets don't guarantee an increase in productivity.

Unfortunately, many people operate under the notion that having techie tools already assures brilliant results. This is the presumption that the Productivity Action Cashmap wants to debunk.

Doing More
Rather than relying mainly on gadgets to spur productivity, the Productivity Action Cashmap gives you "a bird's-eye-view of how increase your productivity--step-by-step." Here are some of the things that the course does to help you break away from the Productivity Paradox:

1. It teaches you to be proactive sans gadgets. The course's first three lessons--"Define Productivity Strategy," "Develop Productive Mindset," "Boost Daily Energy"--all cultivate focus the old-fashioned way. The lessons establish the fact that you should be in control over your tasks or functions.

2. It helps lay the groundwork for maximum productivity. Lessons such as "Implement Planning System," "Organize Your Workspace," and "Organize Your Computer Files" give you a solid, systematized foundation for all your functions. This way, you achieve efficiency solely because of your clear perspective of the things that need to be done.

3. It helps you fine tune your skills . The course helps you work smarter with lessons like "Implement Single Focus Approach," "Systematize Your Actions," and "Outsource--Delegate Actions." As you keep practicing its principles of productivity, you'll find that you'll be churning out more viable results in half the time.

Solid Accomplishments
No matter how cool technology may get, human focus is still the force that fuels productivity. If you can't keep your focus, nothing will get done. So, don't put your fate in gadgets. Work on your mindset and you're sure to find a way to be productive in any setting--with or without gadgets.

Fire up your productivity without relying on technology with the Productivity Action Cashmap.

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Worthy of Attention. Michael Sandler, who dealt with his own Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), wrote College Confidence with ADD. He explains why having ADD doesn't mean you can never be productive.

Simpleology user Spiro S. Spiliadis, who has grappled with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), used to think he was a hopeless case. "Since I had ADD, it was difficult for me to get organized. As a result, I wasn't very productive," he reveals.

Fortunately, Simpleology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want, taught him how to stay attentive and keep his focus. Spiro states, "[Using the principles of Simpleology] is the only way I can control my wild imagination and keep it from distracting me."

In the past, Spiro would just be brimming with ideas that he never got to execute, Simpleology helped him "achieve more in one day than he used to in a week." To date, he has undertaken the following projects and tasks:

1. Home Improvement. "I never renovated a room--let alone house--before," Spiro states, "But I renovated my home using Simpleology." How was this possible? Simpleology let him view the home renovation in "bite-size" pieces, so Spiro was not overwhelmed by minute details.

2. Energized Cash Flow. In the past, Spiro's limited attention inadvertently kept him from closing deals. The Five Laws of Simpleology--namely, The Law of Straight Lines, The Law of Clear Vision, The Law of Focused Attention, The Law of Focused Energy, and The Law of the Inescapability of Action/Reaction--kept him on a straight path towards his goals. "Thanks to Simpleology, I closed a $60,000 deal in six months," Spiro discloses.

3. Organized Thoughts. Overall, Spiro learned to compartmentalize his ideas because Simpleology provided him the means to do so. He states: "I get to place all my ideas in an organized manner on one platform. Simpleology has helped me harness them to be to the point and effective." Thus, Spiro gets to apply his ideas without obstacles getting in the way. It's easy to straighten out everything if there's a ready platform where each and every idea you generate can fall into place.

More than anything else, Spiro feels that Simpleology gave him back his life. "I get to see my dreams unfold each step and effortlessly doing so. In fact, I can say that Simpleology saved my life," he declares.

Empower yourself and take charge of your life with Simpleology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want.

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Have you ever felt out of the loop from your own life?

That's exactly how Esther Cook (no relation) felt before she signed up for Simpleology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want. After 20 days of keeping tabs on her daily productivity, Esther suddenly realized that "everything seemed clearer." She goes on to list how Simpleology can help everyone achieve clarity:

1. It gives you extra time. Simpleology teaches you to account for the time you spend on each activity you engage in. This way, you can easily determine which activities you should be spending more--or less--time on. "By Day 20 of my Observation Log, I noted that my time and energy efficiency have already increased distinctly. I have about two to three more hours each day. [In those 'extra' hours, I get more work done," reveals Esther.

2. It helps you focus. "I thought my targets were pretty clear to begin with, but the difference is like a fuzzy movie brought into focus," says Esther. "All my major targets are becoming clearer as I work with Simpleology. Of course, I will hit my targets faster now that I can see them so much better."

3. It paves the way for bigger things. Buoyed by the progress she has made, Esther likewise realizes that she needs to go on to Simpleology 102: The Simple Science of Money so she can also focus on maximizing the use of her finances in terms of spending power and savings. She states: "I need to tackle my current praxes first in order to really turn on the money spigot."

Simpleology has indeed cleared up Esther's vision. "People who wear glasses or contacts will understand the difference between fuzzy and sharp vision. That's what it's like," she says.

Credits: Photo by Phil Cross, courtesy of Public Domain Pictures.

Bring focus into your life. Find out how Simpleology: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want can help you become more productive.

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