Jerry Seinfeld Productivity Secret

Research shows,

... that 45% of people make a New Year's Resolution.

We dream of holding up those 'fat jeans' like you see on the weight-loss commercial, turning over a new leaf in some area of life, or holding that freshly printed book in our hands.

But it's no secret that most people give up in the first 90 days.

Life happens.

We lose stream.

A day off turns into two, and before you know it, it's March already...

What if you can break the cycle?

What if you can be one of the few who actually make real progress in 2012?

Several years ago, Jerry Seinfeld shared his secret of writing better jokes with software programmer and aspirant comedian Brian Issac:

He said the way to be a better comic was to create better jokes and the way to create better jokes was to write every day. But his advice was better than that. He had a gem of a leverage technique he used on himself and you can use it to motivate yourself—even when you don't feel like it.  He revealed a unique calendar system he uses to pressure himself to write.

He called it "Don't Break the Chain."

Here's how it works:

Each January, Jerry hangs a large year-at-a-glance calendar on his wall.

Then, for every day he writes new material, he has the exquisite pleasure of drawing a big red "X" over that day.

Drawing those Xs gets to be pretty fun and rewarding, so he keeps doing it.  Eventually, he has a chain of red Xs.

The idea is to never break that chain.

This approach works for virtually anything that you want to do daily: prayer, blogging, reading, prospecting, exercise, etc.

I call these daily actions, PRACTICES.

Here are five implementation tips to maximize this superstar productivity method:

(1) First, focus on ONE PRACTICE at a time.

Trying to tackle too many goals or tasks sets you up for failure.

Pick ONE PRACTICE at a time to focus on.

If you're an overachiever, pick one in your business, and one in your personal life.

For example, my personal daily practice is walking on my treadmill 20 minutes in the morning while listening to educational material.

My business daily practice is to creating or curating one thing that brings an interested prospect into my marketing system.

(2) Second, make the daily action SIMPLE, SPECIFIC and DOABLE.

Most people set unrealistic goals.

Their goals are vague, or too big to be accomplished in the time allotted.

For example, "write a daily blog post."

A most potent way to express this is "write 450-500 words between 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM and post it on my blog."

(3) Schedule a set time each day to complete the task.

Blocking out time to work on your most important priorities is critical for success.

Determine exactly how much time it will take to complete the task.

Then, set a daily appointment with yourself.

Until it's written down, it's not real.  Until it's scheduled, it doesn't get done.

TIP: Use a timer like Gym Boss as you do the task.  There's something about knowing you're 'on the clock' that keeps you moving.

(4) Be accountable.

Make your goal public.

Post your goal completion calendar where others can see it.

Post updates on your blog, Twitter or Facebook.

Join a mastermind group.

(5) Looks for ways to improve your process.

One small change in the way you approach or do something can make a huge difference in the results you get.

For example, I hate to exercise but I love to learn.  So I exercise on my treadmill during my morning learning time.

(6) Do it anyway.

There going to be times when you just don't feel like doing whatever it is you've scheduled.

Do it anyway.

To move forward in your business and life, you must develop the discipline and determination.

That means taking action, whether you feel like it or not.

Sticking to your commitment may be a challenge at first, but stay with it.

Soon it will become part of who you are, what you do.

Time for action.

Pick ONE thing to develop as a daily practice.

Then use the "Don't Break The Chain" calendar method.

Below is the calendar I use.

Click the link below to download it.

Print it out.

Post it where you'll see it daily.

Then, don't break the chain.

Focusing Tool: Daily Action Calendar 365

- Ramon Williamson

[wpsr_plusone]

Have you signed up for the Awesomeness Multiplier Method webinar yet?  It's Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at Noon Eastern time.  Click here to sign up free!