“Is the glass half full or is it half empty?” You are probably familiar with this age-old question, but I would like to invite you to think about it again. Take a moment and look at some situations. Does your boss really hate you? Why are you not calling your mother? Do you really have no time to exercise or play with the kids? Perspective is everything.
“It is just not happening for me at the moment.” - How many times do you catch yourself saying that? Sometimes small tasks feel monumental. Simply getting from A to B requires more effort than you can seem to muster. The path ahead appears filled only with obstacles, discomfort, and maybe some bad breaks along the way. In most of these cases, all you need is to look at your situation with new eyes.
The truth is, even if you feel stuck, there is a way to make positive changes. By thinking differently, even when things are uncertain, you can change where you are heading. If you look at things in a new way, you'll see new possibilities. Use smart systems to make things easier so you can focus on achieving your goals. Even on tough days, if you gather the courage to move towards growth, you will start making progress. Momentum builds gradually at first before you realize how far you have come.
"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Wayne Dyer
See Things More Positively for Better Results
How we view situations shapes how we handle them. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a common tool that is used to help us understand our bias in certain situations. For example, if your boss doesn’t greet you back one morning, what are your thoughts on that? Does he have it in for you, or did he have a tough morning? The way you see this makes all the difference. Here are a few ways to help you become more aware of your view on things:
a. Learn from Mistakes
When things go wrong, don’t just feel bad. Look at it as a chance to improve next time. Obstacles show us how to get better.
b. Picture the Outcome You Want
Imagine things turning out well, not poorly. Athletes see themselves winning before playing. Envision success in your mind too. It pushes you in the right direction.
c. Focus on Possibilities
Look at everything that might happen, not just what probably won’t. Explore many options to find the best way forward. Think abundantly to make good things happen.
"Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things. Systems ensure we focus on the right things and do them right." - Peter Drucker
Make Systems That Work for You
Having reliable routines for important stuff makes getting things done easier:
a. Regular Tasks First
List what you do a lot, like morning prep or weekly reports. Make checklists, templates, and special spots for these activities. This saves energy for bigger priorities later. For more productivity tips, take a look at my time-blocking post.
b. Plan Your Top Priorities
Instead of questioning what matters, put key items like creative work or connecting with people on your calendar. Scheduling guarantees you make time for what counts.
c. Review and Update
Track how new routines are working. Write down wins to repeat and issues to improve. Make changes over time like better tools or adjusted timing. Tweaking helps systems fully support your needs and goals.
"The path to success is to take massive, determined action." - Tony Robbins
Take Decisive Action
Making decisions quickly, even if imperfectly, leads to more progress than waiting for the perfect plan:
a. Do “Good Enough”
If you wait until something is flawless, you might never act. Define what’s sufficient to move forward successfully right now. Something is better than nothing.
b. Align with Your Values
For tough choices, check if taking action matches what you care about and where you want to go. If so, have conviction in your path ahead.
c. Share Goals with Others
Tell friends about big decisions. Check-in regularly about progress. Peer support gives motivation to stay committed during difficult stretches.
While these tips seem very different, together they enable getting more done. How we think shapes what we do. Taking action turns visions into reality through determination, bit by bit. Progress awaits!
I especially agree with the 1st point on seeing/perceiving things in a more positive light.
Really like this. I remember slogging through Drucker over a decade ago when I was just getting started. So much of it is still so relevant to today. By far the biggest challenge I face is there are so many things I want to do, it's hard to zero in on the few specific things I think will have the biggest impact. Posts like these certainly help though.