Hello, it's Bill --
Last week I shared with you our plan to take the next four weeks to break down the four key environments you can optimize to begin eliminating procrastination and remain focused on what matters most.
We broke down the "people" environment last week -- and today we'll talk about another key environment to maximize.
To do so, I want to turn over the reins to one of my partners and fellow coach, Paul Macosko, who assists me with content creation, coaching, and co-facilitation of some of our courses. He and I co-taught the "Eliminating Procrastination" course that just wrapped up.
I'm excited for you to hear Paul's take on this second key environment in the email below.
-Bill
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Today, I’m continuing our series we started last week on productivity, but I want to take a different spin on it. I want to talk to you about productivity through a unique perspective -- through the lens of crayons and coloring books.
Yes, this may seem strange at first. However, oftentimes the most profound lessons spring from the simplest of circumstances.
As a child, I spent hours upon hours with my yellow box of Crayola crayons and a stack of coloring books. I can still smell the unique wax aroma from the shavings that twisted out as I sharpened blunted crayons into useful ones. The time I spent creating pictures was incredible.
Did you like to color as a child?
Coloring was an expression of how I was feeling. It allowed me space and opportunity to create something new, unique, and vibrant. As a child, the world is vibrant, and coloring is an expression of the imagination that lies deep within.
The best part of coloring (for me) was where the picture went after finishing it. We had a big white fridge that served as my family’s art gallery. When my picture was complete, my parents would induct it into the family gallery. My family recognized me for my work -- and because of its prominence on the fridge, I knew (or chose to believe) that what I created had value.
I have a theory on coloring as it relates to productivity and meaningfulness.
From a young age, you and I have the desire to beautify our world. You (and I) want to leave our unique fingerprint upon it -- and when you’re young, there are only so many tools available to do so. So, we take our broad imagination and waxy tools and begin putting our thoughts down on paper. We create. We beautify. We learn to express the pictures in our imaginations of what is and what could be.
Why do I say all of this? How does coloring relate to productivity and meaningfulness?
Well, let me explain.
There is something called the progress principle. According to the Harvard Business Review It states, “Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work.”
Simply put, our emotions, motivation, and perceptions are all boosted when we are making progress in meaningful work.
You see -- I never had to motivate myself to color. As I colored, time quickly transpired. I enjoyed coloring, and it never felt like work. I was making my world a better place. When I finished a picture, my family recognized me for my accomplishment -- and I wanted to color some more! I was living out the progress principle through daily making progress on what I felt were meaningful projects. And, my imagination was coming to life!
When I’m feeling stuck -- or lacking in creativity -- I go back to those days when progress and creativity came easy. I remember that when you make progress on meaningful work, the game completely changes for the better.
Throughout the day today, you will find yourself working on tasks. Some may fill you up -- and some may be draining. How can you apply the progress principle and boost your mental state?
For the tasks that are draining --
How will you find meaning in them?
What are you working to create and why are you doing it?
What’s the bigger purpose for the activity you're engaged in?
Will it beautify or change the world?
Will it positively impact someone’s day?
Maybe it will simply provide a paycheck to spend meaningful time with people you care about?
The key is to find and do meaningful tasks -- and make progress in them daily.
When you understand the value of the task you’re doing and even make a small advance toward the goal of completing it, you will find your entire mental state elevated, and your productivity will increase.
Color a picture, then put it on the fridge for me. Feel the thrill of productive and meaningful accomplishment.
