Opinion / Columnist
A dose of Motivation with The Motivator
01 Sep 2016 at 06:41hrs | Views
Time Mastery & Productivity
A duck lays more eggs in daylight. In the months of July to December winter months when daylight is short, they slow down their production of eggs. Sometimes, ducks stop laying eggs completely during these months.
The ducks' level of productivity is not the same throughout all different seasons or different times of the day. Ducks lay more eggs in daylight and they slow down their production in winter where the daylight is short and during rainy seasons where some cloudy days don't have daylight. It is important to note that just like ducks, human beings have got times when they are likely to be more productive than other times. You are most likely to have fresh ideas for your project early in the morning when you are not exhausted. This may be your most productive time in which you should ideally tackle difficult task that require you to bring your ‘A-game' and most energy. Trying to be most productive on demanding tasks when you have been drained emotionally, spiritually and physically will not yield the best possible results you are capable of attaining.
The ducks' varying level of productivity which changes with seasons also teaches us to examine ourselves to identify when we our minds are most productive. There are people who can work effectively on their assignments or business plan at night. They are called ‘night-owls' by some. I don't fall into that category; my mind is more fruitful early in the morning when I have rested enough. One thing is certain, if you try to work through a task early in the morning when you are a ‘night-owl', you are likely to switch off the alarm several times and never get anything done in those early morning hours of the day. The key is to discover in which times of the day you are most productive or creative, then strive to have maximum output during those times.
I am aware that there are some of my fellow motivational speakers and authors who recommend that everyone who desires epic performance should rise up very early in the morning around 5:00 to pursue their endeavor. They believe that morning is the most productive part of the day because you have the most energy, have rested and you bound to be more creative than during the later hours of the day when you are exhausted. It makes sense. It works for me. I rise up early to write my books, prepare my sermons, prepare materials for my motivational talks and do some researches. It works for most people, but that certainly does not for everyone. People are different, others can work on their projects effectively, through the night.
The analysis into a duck's production patterns shows us that it is crucial to seize the day. Just like ducks, we also need to lay most of our eggs at daylight (during those working hours) at our workplaces, businesses or various careers and projects. One person once said that our use of time is like people who get the same size of a suitcase, but others pack more stuff (get more done) into their suitcases than others. We surely have got the same number of suitcases (hours) everyday, but others pack more (get more done) into their suitcases than others. Others simply know when their energy levels are high, they know when their minds are more fruitful, they capitalize on their most productive moments to get maximum output on their most challenging tasks. They know how to pack more into their suitcases than their counterparts. They have mastered their time management techniques.
If you are expected to finish an assignment after 30 days, don't aim at finishing it within 30 days. If that assignment (with 30 days deadline) can be done within 30 minutes, then do it within 30 minutes and use that remaining 29 days, 23hours and 30 minutes to do other important things at well. The average person who is given one month to complete a task will instinctively adjust his effort so it actually takes a month (even when it's not necessary to take that long). Forget deadlines, in a good way. Activities should be done within the shortest time-frame possible; and not stretched unnecessarily to the deadline date. Do everything as quickly and effectively as you can. Then use your ‘free' time to get other things done just as quickly and effectively.
The best way to swallow an elephant is to bite one small at a time. The most efficient way to finish the elephant is biting and chewing each piece at the shortest possible time before biting the next piece, whilst avoiding choking and ensuring you enjoy every piece of the elephant! The point is; Cut down the elephant (big dream) into small pieces (goals). Bite and chew each small piece of the elephant (small goal) at the fastest possible time before proceeding to the next small piece (small goal).
Before you know it the whole elephant (big dream) would be a done deal. You see, ducks maximize productivity during the winter season, with a full realization that the summer season is coming. They are ruthless in their production during their most productive times, to beat their less productive summer deadline. Shouldn't we do the same? Be part of that rare breed of ducks that lays their eggs rapidly in their most productive times and have mastered the art of time utilization.
Key Points
> The best way to swallow an elephant is to bite one small at a time. The most efficient way to finish the elephant is biting and chewing each piece at the shortest possible time before biting the next piece, whilst avoiding choking and ensuring you enjoy every piece of the elephant!
> Activities should be done within the shortest time-frame possible; and not stretched unnecessarily to the deadline date.
> Do everything as quickly and effectively as you can. Then use your ‘free' time to get other things done just as quickly and effectively.
> Be part of that rare breed of ducks that lays their eggs rapidly in their most productive times and have mastered the art of time utilization.
> We surely have got the same number of suitcases (hours) everyday, but others pack more (get more done) into their suitcases than others.
> Other people simply know when their energy levels are high, they know when their minds are more fruitful, they capitalize on their most productive moments to get maximum output on their most challenging tasks (An extract from Gwizi's inspirational book, DUCK-Tility: Strategies For Being Highly Effective).
For your feedback contact gwizimotivator@yahoo.com
-------------
Mthokozisi Gwizi is an award-winning motivational speaker and author, multi-award winning bible scholar and accredited facilitator; 2015 Zimbabwe Achievers Awards Nominee ( www.zimachievers.co.za ). He has been a guest on various radio stations and written inspirational articles for countless publications.
For book purchases contact 00263735298813 (Harare), 00263782783789 (Bulawayo), +27719393146 (S.A). To join hundreds of people in my several motivational whatsaap groups whatsaap your NAME to one of my group's administrators on 00263782783789. Please note that the groups are for strictly Inspirational messages, audios and videos, no jokes or anything else can be posted. Only posts written in English are allowed to prevent division among group members on tribal lines. Posting ends at 9:30pm everyday.
A duck lays more eggs in daylight. In the months of July to December winter months when daylight is short, they slow down their production of eggs. Sometimes, ducks stop laying eggs completely during these months.
The ducks' level of productivity is not the same throughout all different seasons or different times of the day. Ducks lay more eggs in daylight and they slow down their production in winter where the daylight is short and during rainy seasons where some cloudy days don't have daylight. It is important to note that just like ducks, human beings have got times when they are likely to be more productive than other times. You are most likely to have fresh ideas for your project early in the morning when you are not exhausted. This may be your most productive time in which you should ideally tackle difficult task that require you to bring your ‘A-game' and most energy. Trying to be most productive on demanding tasks when you have been drained emotionally, spiritually and physically will not yield the best possible results you are capable of attaining.
The ducks' varying level of productivity which changes with seasons also teaches us to examine ourselves to identify when we our minds are most productive. There are people who can work effectively on their assignments or business plan at night. They are called ‘night-owls' by some. I don't fall into that category; my mind is more fruitful early in the morning when I have rested enough. One thing is certain, if you try to work through a task early in the morning when you are a ‘night-owl', you are likely to switch off the alarm several times and never get anything done in those early morning hours of the day. The key is to discover in which times of the day you are most productive or creative, then strive to have maximum output during those times.
I am aware that there are some of my fellow motivational speakers and authors who recommend that everyone who desires epic performance should rise up very early in the morning around 5:00 to pursue their endeavor. They believe that morning is the most productive part of the day because you have the most energy, have rested and you bound to be more creative than during the later hours of the day when you are exhausted. It makes sense. It works for me. I rise up early to write my books, prepare my sermons, prepare materials for my motivational talks and do some researches. It works for most people, but that certainly does not for everyone. People are different, others can work on their projects effectively, through the night.
The analysis into a duck's production patterns shows us that it is crucial to seize the day. Just like ducks, we also need to lay most of our eggs at daylight (during those working hours) at our workplaces, businesses or various careers and projects. One person once said that our use of time is like people who get the same size of a suitcase, but others pack more stuff (get more done) into their suitcases than others. We surely have got the same number of suitcases (hours) everyday, but others pack more (get more done) into their suitcases than others. Others simply know when their energy levels are high, they know when their minds are more fruitful, they capitalize on their most productive moments to get maximum output on their most challenging tasks. They know how to pack more into their suitcases than their counterparts. They have mastered their time management techniques.
If you are expected to finish an assignment after 30 days, don't aim at finishing it within 30 days. If that assignment (with 30 days deadline) can be done within 30 minutes, then do it within 30 minutes and use that remaining 29 days, 23hours and 30 minutes to do other important things at well. The average person who is given one month to complete a task will instinctively adjust his effort so it actually takes a month (even when it's not necessary to take that long). Forget deadlines, in a good way. Activities should be done within the shortest time-frame possible; and not stretched unnecessarily to the deadline date. Do everything as quickly and effectively as you can. Then use your ‘free' time to get other things done just as quickly and effectively.
The best way to swallow an elephant is to bite one small at a time. The most efficient way to finish the elephant is biting and chewing each piece at the shortest possible time before biting the next piece, whilst avoiding choking and ensuring you enjoy every piece of the elephant! The point is; Cut down the elephant (big dream) into small pieces (goals). Bite and chew each small piece of the elephant (small goal) at the fastest possible time before proceeding to the next small piece (small goal).
Before you know it the whole elephant (big dream) would be a done deal. You see, ducks maximize productivity during the winter season, with a full realization that the summer season is coming. They are ruthless in their production during their most productive times, to beat their less productive summer deadline. Shouldn't we do the same? Be part of that rare breed of ducks that lays their eggs rapidly in their most productive times and have mastered the art of time utilization.
Key Points
> The best way to swallow an elephant is to bite one small at a time. The most efficient way to finish the elephant is biting and chewing each piece at the shortest possible time before biting the next piece, whilst avoiding choking and ensuring you enjoy every piece of the elephant!
> Activities should be done within the shortest time-frame possible; and not stretched unnecessarily to the deadline date.
> Do everything as quickly and effectively as you can. Then use your ‘free' time to get other things done just as quickly and effectively.
> Be part of that rare breed of ducks that lays their eggs rapidly in their most productive times and have mastered the art of time utilization.
> We surely have got the same number of suitcases (hours) everyday, but others pack more (get more done) into their suitcases than others.
> Other people simply know when their energy levels are high, they know when their minds are more fruitful, they capitalize on their most productive moments to get maximum output on their most challenging tasks (An extract from Gwizi's inspirational book, DUCK-Tility: Strategies For Being Highly Effective).
For your feedback contact gwizimotivator@yahoo.com
-------------
Mthokozisi Gwizi is an award-winning motivational speaker and author, multi-award winning bible scholar and accredited facilitator; 2015 Zimbabwe Achievers Awards Nominee ( www.zimachievers.co.za ). He has been a guest on various radio stations and written inspirational articles for countless publications.
For book purchases contact 00263735298813 (Harare), 00263782783789 (Bulawayo), +27719393146 (S.A). To join hundreds of people in my several motivational whatsaap groups whatsaap your NAME to one of my group's administrators on 00263782783789. Please note that the groups are for strictly Inspirational messages, audios and videos, no jokes or anything else can be posted. Only posts written in English are allowed to prevent division among group members on tribal lines. Posting ends at 9:30pm everyday.
Source - Mthokozisi Gwizi
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