How To Stay Productive

On the subject of staying creative…..here is a practical way of being productive by Derek Doepker.

In improv comedy, there’s the concept of “Yes and…”

The idea is you agree to go with whatever is presented to you, and then you add to it.

This is contrasted with shutting down an idea or going against it.

Here’s how I use it to stay productive.

Right now, there are a few videos lined up I want to watch on YouTube.

However, I also write regular emails for my business. So it’s a priority to get this very email you’re reading done and scheduled to send out.

Most people tell themselves “I shouldn’t watch YouTube right now.”

It feels restrictive. And your brain tends to rebel against restriction.

It’s like telling a kid they can’t have candy. Now all they want is candy.

Instead, imagine a “yes and…” approach.

“Yes, I will watch the videos on YouTube… AND first I’ll just take care of this other task.”

You’re saying “yes” to both (and prioritizing the more important task).

So it’s like YouTube is a ‘reward’ for completing another task.

Now, there are limits to this.

Obviously, you do NOT want to say “yes” to something that’s addictive or highly destructive.

However, for many things, you don’t have to tell yourself “no.”

Instead, it’s a “yes and” approach where you get to enjoy most things at the right time and in the right dose.

I use this trick all the time. Movies, video games, social media. All of it becomes a treat for finishing what matters.

A lot of my productivity is built around this little game of saying, “I’ll get to enjoy X AFTER I do Y.”

So give this “yes and…” approach a shot and see how it works for you.

Take care!

Derek Doepker

Enjoy whatever you are creating this week. ” All of it becomes a treat for finishing what matters”

Pauline