10 Smart Ways To Organize My Work - THE BATTLE CHAIR STRATEGY
Working for your self requires a proper environment aka “workplace ecology”. It requires a lot of basic stuff to be OFF your mind, so you will be able to utilize your mental processes energy and creativity for your projects.
I took this concept from a habit used by SOLDIERS.
It’s called the “BATTLE CHAIR“, and basically it means preparing all of your clothes and gear, the night before, so you wont need to search for things or to decide what to wear the next morning, or really, whenever you have to get ready. Especially in a pinch or if you are late (which I hope you never are, or I will personally fly to your place and smite you with a chair!).
But then I realized, I can apply this concept to everything else!
So here are my 10 things I found to be extremely PRODUCTIVE for me
1) CLOTHES & GEAR - READY! -Have your clothes and gear for work, for going out or for any other purpose, always ready the day before. And preferably have a backup too. -So you will never have to search or think or decide what to put on, especially in a hurry.
2) DISHES - READY! - Some people cant stand washing it, some people love doing it. It’s all in the dopamine reward circuit. -But once you get to do it, it creates a lot of dopamine and serotonin. -Which believe it or not, makes you enjoy doing it. -The result:
- a) Dishes always ready for having a snack
- b) One task out of mind
- c) Kitchen always sparkly clean to impress ladies!
3) BATTERIES CHARGED - READY! -There is always a chance you will have to get to the store, go for a walk, go to meet somebody, get an important business call or would need to snap some photos or make a video. -So your phone and camera (and any other) batteries should always be ready. That also includes having ready spare batteries for your wireless mouse or keyboard. That is why investing in a good, fast, battery charger and rechargeable batteries is essential, and saves time and hassle in the long run.
PRO TIP: Don't buy a cheap charger without an overcharge protection or else you will have to calculate when are they going to be full, to disconnect them on time to prevent damage, and also a good charger should have a battery care option, so it will be able to discharge and reset otherwise good but expensive rechargeable batteries in case they wont charge fully).
4) MEMORY CARDS - READY! - This one is also a no-brainer. You should always have all of your CF/SD cards empty and formatted, ready to roll.
To do that I am always copying files from my SD cards (in my camera), to an external drive. And also regularly saving and deleting unnecessary files and pictures from my mobile devices through Wi-Fi to my PC or external USB drive.
Simply by using a smartphone browser app called “MyPhoneExplorer” (you need to install it both on your phone and on your PC). That way it’s much easier to browse, download and delete what you don’t need on your phone, and there is no excuses like; small screen, cumbersome to navigate, no spare USB port, Windows 10 not recognizing the BlueTooth device or your USB cable going rogue on you and disconnecting all the time.
5) DEDICATED PLACE FOR EVERY ITEM - READY! -Be it your closet, car, apartment, drawers, pockets, or your bag. You should always keep the same things in the same place. -That way you wont have to think where they are, no searching for stuff, no mess, no being late, easy to plan and execute life!
6) MORNING ROUTINE - READY! - What ever is the thing that makes you productive and focused early when you wake up (morning jog, ham & eggs, an hour in the gym , cold shower, working on empty stomach, or for some crazy people; coffee), just do it!
For me personally it’s morning biking, swimming, gym or quick energy for the brain breakfast, like PROTEIN + OMEGA3 (anything that has it, and it’s natural) + some fruit + lemonade with Maca powder or a cup of milk with Maca. Which is rich in Zync and other vitamins and nutrients, which your brain needs for creativity, concentration and eliminating anxiety & impulsive reactions.
7) START IN ADVANCE - READY! - As you learn to love your routines, you are still in danger of allowing your self some “TIME INFLATION” as I call it.
It is that thing when you learn to get moving and get stuff done faster, you suddenly start doing them exactly on time, and few seconds late, which soon turns into 10 minutes later, which soon turns into running sweaty and almost being late.
To not allow that and to keep your self being always on time - train your self to always start 5-10 minutes earlier than the previous time. Trust me, it does wonders!
8) AUTOMATE - READY! - Whatever you can automate, solve once and make it easier every time after that, or simply delegate to someone who does it better or faster. DO IT!
9) ELIMINATE / TO MULTIPLY TIME - READY! - Whatever is not part of your work, ELIMINATE IT: Binging on social media, Youtube, Facebook feed, Instagram feed, Messenger, etc. Any other task that is difficult, long, unpredictable, lacks resources or expertise or it can be done some other time. And anything that you are finding your self doing which is not productive and takes a lot of your time, just get rid of it. (TV, porn, etc.)
The result: You will have extra hours in your day, it literally feels like u’ve added a 25th hour in your day, or more. (Rory Vaden has an excellent TED talk on that topic, he is my hero!
10) DO THE HARDEST TASKS FIRST - READY! - All of the daily tasks, housework or urgent duties, due bills, shopping for necessities, body care and housekeeping stuff, that takes a lot of mental energy, keeps nagging your mind and you need to shed it off in order to concentrate, to feel at ease and to feel being ready to work, but you don know how much time those are going to take. -Those are the ones you have to tackle first, as soon as you can.
The result: Your mind will be free, snappy & jumpy and the ideas for your work and creativity will just be free to pop up all over your mind and you will be UNSTOPPABLE AND PRODUCTIVE!
CONCLUSION:
- CLOTHES & GEAR - READY!
- DISHES - READY!
- BATTERIES CHARGED - READY!
- MEMORY CARDS - READY!
- DEDICATED PLACE FOR EVERY ITEM - READY!
- MORNING ROUTINE - READY!
- START IN ADVANCE - READY!
- AUTOMATE - READY!
- ELIMINATE / TO MULTIPLY TIME - READY!
- DO THE HARDEST TASKS FIRST - READY!
With that being said…
LIVE FAST AND BE PRODUCTIVE!
One more tip that actually works: if you work from home, tidy up you work space every night. Don’t leave any mess, make it look cozy and inviting. You will want to have your first morning coffee there, so it sets the right productive mood for the whole day 🙂
Thanx for that one, appreaciate it! 😉