Hugh Culver

Business of Speaking

  • Blog
  • About
  • Speaking
  • BlogWorks
  • Contact

Blog

The greatest time management lesson nobody ever teaches

9 Comments

get stuff done
Never miss another update.

This time management lesson might seem too simple to be of value.
But, once you try it — just like chocolate dip on an ice cream cone — you’ll never go without again.

I’ll tell you what that lesson is in just a minute. But first, I ask you to close your eyes (actually you have to read this next bit first) and think about all the times in the past week you were feeling frantic, rushed, overwhelmed or just plain run-off-your-feet.

Quite a few times — right?

That’s why you need this lesson.

You see, history repeats itself, and so does the dumb stuff we do over and over.

History repeats itself, and so does the dumb stuff we do over and over. Click To Tweet

This week, my goal was to phone 10 people as a follow up to an email. We’re running a campaign to offer a 14 day $1 trial of our BlogWorks social media program for bloggers. So I thought I’d call some people and just ask if they’d seen the email and did they have any questions.

Simple right?

Well, I’m writing this post on Friday and I still have 2 calls to go. It was only 10 frick’n phone calls and I couldn’t do it. Instead of making phone calls, here’s what was thinking:

“They’re probably busy – I don’t want to interrupt them.”

“It’s kind of late in the day – I’ll try tomorrow.”

“Better check to see if that email I’m waiting for came in.”

Every time I looked at the phone I had an excuse ready.

Sound familiar?

It’s ridiculous! Think about all the incredible things you’ve done in your life. And you can’t pick up the damn phone.

That’s why this lesson is so important. In fact, it’s the one thing that changes everything.

The one thing that changes everything

You have to start.

(I warned you it’s going to sound too simple.)

You have to start by picking up the phone, walking into his office, writing the email, or typing that outline.

Starting can be the hardest step, but it can change everything.

Starting can be the hardest step, but it can change everything. Click To Tweet

I’ve been thinking about writing a second book. My first (and only) book Give me a Break came out 6 years ago and did really well in sales. I’m proud of it and it’s time to go through that writing process again.

But, I’ve been thinking “It’s time to go through that writing process again” for 2 years!

I was stalled out and letting resistance take over logic.

The war of logic and resistance

This is how I think of it.

optimist

In your brain (this has yet to be proven scientifically) there are the logic neurons. They wear white lab coats with pencil protectors and prefer Nabob instant over Starbucks. Logic neurons like everything in your life to be black and white, binary and making sense.

Your brain is also full of snotty nosed resistor neurons. They think logic is dumb, and find the negative in everything. The resistors believe electric cars are overrated. They hate self-help books and think high achievers are showing off.

And then there are the optimistic neurons – they’re excited about anything new. They love planning vacations (more than going on them), buying new blenders and the first three episodes of any Netflix series. They are irritatingly positive.

Your brain is at war.

Logic neurons understand how one step forward can lead to another and that’s how progress begins. They’re all about crossing work off your list and seeing results.

But those resistor buggers hate that stuff. Every plan has a problem and they love to grovel in excuses. “It’s too soon!”, “It won’t work!”, “We’re not ready!”, “They won’t like it!”

And the optimist neurons just can’t wait for SOMETHING to happen.

The battle is on and nothing is getting done.

Until you step in with the one thing that logic, resistor and optimist neurons have to listen to: progress.

That’s your job – even if you don’t feel like it – you need to start the ball rolling.

Like I did with my book.

My next book

So I called my friend and fellow speaker Steve Donahue and asked for his advice. Steve is a two-time best selling author, a popular speaker and part-time coach to authors.

His advice was for me to write a short outline of all my book ideas. “Don’t worry about polishing, editing etc.” he told me. “Dump words onto the page.” We started with 5 ideas for a future book – I settled on four of them.

And that was progress.

First, the phone call that jump-started the progress. And then 2 hours to write the outlines. The next thing I knew I was getting feedback on my outlines from by BOS-Community group (they didn’t like the one I did).

Next week, Steve and I talk again about testing these ideas and measuring which one I feel committed to.

It’s all about progress and taking that first step.

It’s no different than finishing your taxes, purging old clothes or taking better care of your body. Your job is to take that first step (even if you don’t feel like it).

Tell me in the comments – WHAT STEP DO YOU NEED TO TAKE?

Related articles that will help you get started

My ultimate productivity hack – do the hardest 50 in the first 90
The secret to getting sh*t done and 6 ways to get started
How drinking tea can make you rich (and build willpower)

Never miss another update.

Related Posts

  • How to get momentum, end excuses, and reach your goals How to get momentum, end excuses, and reach your goals
  • You already have what you need (money, time, health and sex)You already have what you need (money, time, health and sex)
  • 12 ways to build kick-butt confidence by taking action12 ways to build kick-butt confidence by taking action
  • Why You Stay Stuck (And 5 Fast Ways to Get Unstuck Today)Why You Stay Stuck (And 5 Fast Ways to Get Unstuck Today)
  • 9 damn good ways to survive hotels, airports, and taxis9 damn good ways to survive hotels, airports, and taxis

About Hugh Culver

Speaker, author, athlete and founder of BlogWorks. I speak and write about getting stuff done and the art of growing younger.

Categories: Blog, Habits, Productivity Tagged: business, effective, entrepreneur, getting stuff done, habits, motivation, overcome procrastination, procrastination, progress, projects, success

Comments

  1. Marc Dansereau says

    October 22, 2017 at 8:25 am

    I love reading your blog. One of the quickest ways to connect with people is to use honest and real examples from your own personal experience. It is so dang easy to relate your stories! You combine vulnerability with humour and then present practical strategies on how to tackle the stuff we struggle with. Your positive attitude and enthusiasm is obvious. Thank you for this important work. I am sharing the blog with friends and family. Sincerely. Marc

    Reply
    • Hugh Culver says

      October 27, 2017 at 12:13 pm

      Marc. Thank you so much for that generous comment! You know that writing this blog is a lot of fun and it’s even better when you get comments from generous people like you.

      Reply
  2. Denis Nixon says

    October 22, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    Looking at your drawing I invite you to read Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lrhy- you will find a deeper understanding of your resistor character. In my executive coaching life it has been the body of knowledge that has helped many bring about change that has held them back for years. I am in full agreement with the “START” practice by the way.

    Reply
    • Hugh Culver says

      October 27, 2017 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks Denis. I was a little embarrassed with that drawing! And thanks for the recommendation -I’ll have a look at Immunity to Change. Be well.

      Reply
  3. Mina says

    October 23, 2017 at 12:25 am

    I have to re-contact my ex-fiancee family and reconcile with them because apparently the disaster relationship was my fault and I feel reluctant/do not know how to admit it sincerely because i was very afraid that their family will hate me forever.

    Reply
  4. Paul says

    October 23, 2017 at 2:11 pm

    Damn it, Hugh! Keep writing stuff like this and all my excuses for not writing a book will be shot down! I think I need to call Steve.

    Reply
    • Hugh Culver says

      October 27, 2017 at 12:10 pm

      Paul I would love to see a book project coming out of all your good work. John Grisham started out by writing every morning before going to work as a lawyer. Eventually, he got his first book published. I think The Firm came out soon after that. That just get started strategy worked pretty well for him!

      Reply
  5. Rob C. says

    October 24, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    Sometimes the simplest things make the most difference. I have struggled with procrastination all my life and recently I adopted this strategy of just getting started, or setting a small goal daily to move a project forward. It’s amazing how much of the pressure it will take off when you tell yourself you don’t have to finish it all today, just get closer to done. Often, when I tell myself I’m just to work on something for 10-15 minutes, I end up getting in the flow and doing much more than I intended. It may a simple suggestion, but one that can truly make a difference. Thanks Hugh!

    Reply
    • Hugh Culver says

      October 27, 2017 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks Rob – I love this: just 10 – 15 minutes. It’s all about momentuum and not letting the Resistor Brain getting it’s foot in there.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Blog
  • Books
  • Expert/Speaker
  • General
  • Habits
  • Life
  • Productivity
  • Speaking Tips
  • Wealth

My Most Popular Posts

SPEAKING

— 10 Easy ways to make Awesome PowerPoint
— 9 stupid things speakers do on stage
— How to Negotiate your fees and get hired

MAKING MONEY

— Why $100,000 won’t make you rich
— How to make your first OnLine course
— How to make money NOW as an expert

PRODUCTIVITY

— Organize your life with Google calendars
— Why you need to kill your To-Do list
— Do the hardest 50% in the first 90

Meet Hugh

Speaker, author, athlete and founder of BlogWorks. I speak and write about getting stuff done and the art of growing younger.
Learn More…

hero-habits-hugh-culver

How to be Awesome Every Day at Work and in Life

Download my free guide with the latest research on the power of habits, how they work, plus 7 Hero Habits to improve your performance every day.

Download it Now (for Free!)

hero-habits-hugh-culver

The 15 Biggest Mistakes Speakers Make

Download my free guide and discover what the pro’s know about delivering a world-class speech and what to avoid.

Download it Now (for Free!)

As featured on:

As featured on:
  • Blog
  • About
  • Speaking
  • BlogWorks
  • Contact
© 2019 Hugh Culver. All Rights Reserved · Website by ModernTraction.com
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter