Overkill: How to Get More Done Faster

Getting things done is what moves you forward in any area of life. Getting the right things done will ensure you’re not just busy but actually edging closer and closer to your personal goals. It’s not about finding things to do. It’s about doing more of the important tasks that benefit you the most. It’s about “overkill,” which means “to exceed what is necessary.”

Some people do just enough to get by, but if you’re going to take your life up a notch, you’ll have to start going beyond what’s necessary. You have to exceed your present output, which means overkilling your time, and that means getting more done faster.

Ain’t No Secret

Let us first dispel a myth: there is no secret. Being effective at getting the right things done is a matter of planning, priority, and expediting your efforts. So much of the method to metal motivation comes down to domination (your time, your head, your emotions, etc.), so the more you are empowered to rise above your circumstances, the more in control you’ll feel.

What’s Your Plan?

A plan is a detailed proposal for achieving something. This means you’ll have to think through how you’re going to achieve that thing you desire. It’s not so important that you do anything quickly, but that you have a plan to get it done no matter how long it takes. What a plan does is break down your larger goal into smaller tasks—with deadlines attached—that when accomplished, bring you steadily to your destination.

First Things First

Priority means putting first things first. For many of us, we tend to do those tasks that interest us most rather than the tasks that are most productive. It’s better to begin with those items that when accomplished move you the closest to your desired end.

You also have to take into account what tasks require your best state of mind. For example, for C. J., mornings are his best time, so he does the more “thought-involving” tasks first, e.g., reading, writing, strategizing. Later on, you can do the items that require the least amount of thought.

Expedite

To expedite means making things happen quicker, and this requires consolidating your moves. If you keep your list of “to do” items with you—or if you plan your day ahead of time—you can handle smaller tasks as you’re doing larger tasks. So, if you’re going out, hit as many tasks as you can that involve leaving the house. The point is to try to do similar items together.

Write It All Down

The absolute best habit for you to get into is writing things down. Whether it be a restating of your goals, or a list of to do items, try to get in a routine of putting everything on paper—or your digital device (computer, phone, PDA, etc.). So long as it’s written down, it’s not crowding your limited “mind space.” This is the best way to also give a greater sense of control, and that’s a killer way to eliminate stress. You may have a lot to do, but at least you can glance at all the tasks and know what to do first.

Metal Up!

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