"Busy" is the Enemy of "Productive"

Are you busy or are you productive? There is a difference between the two and while being productive can help you to be successful and generate revenue, being busy can actually hamper growth. In this episode we discuss: Focusing on being productive, not just busy. Being intentional in all the work that you do. The acronym FOCUS: First define, Organize, Communicate, Use your discretion, Systematize First defining specific goals that are measurable, and how to reach them. Organizing and controlling your calendar at the macro level and then at the micro level. Communicating your schedule to others firmly and having ‘teeth’ in your rules.  Using your discretion if deviation from a rule is required to handle a one-time situation. Systematizing to ensure a smooth work process even when uncontrollable situations arise, such as covid. How FOCUS can free you, giving you the ability to be productive and plan your productivity. Snip-Its 00:02:18 So whether you're actually getting what you want or not, the feeling that you are moving toward what you want is almost like an addictive sort of internal feeling. And if you're not careful and you're not very intentional about it, you can be working really hard and feel like you're getting a lot done when in fact you're not. And you look up one day and you say, I have been working so hard for so long, but I'm only making one hundred thousand dollars or I've been working so hard for so long, but I only have two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in revenue. And I'm frustrated and I'm exhausted.   00:09:44 You go into all the ways that you can't because you haven't committed to whatever the goal is, because the reality is if you create a goal and you put it firmly in front of you, you write it down and you commit to it, then whatever comes into your mind as a way of achieving that goal, at least on the surface, has some level of ability to help you reach your goal. It doesn't mean that every thought you have is going to be one that you follow from thought to completion. But it has some ability. And that's because as soon as we start to direct our mind toward what we desire, the ways and means for us to achieve that goal is there.   00:51:38 – A bit long at 1 minute When those types of major events happen, systems give you a level of continuity and a level of ease to be able to solve problems that you don't have when you are flying by the seat of your pants. And most lawyers instinctively know that, which is the reason why most law firm owners don't want to grow. They desire to grow. Right. They, and in their heart of hearts, they say, I want more. I know that I can help more people. I know that I can make a bigger impact. I know that I can make more money. I know that I can have a better existence. I can work nine to five Monday through Friday if I structure my business to be that. But it can't be that. If I want it to be that, I could be nine to five Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and I take Tuesday and Thursday off with my young kids, or to just give myself thought work time, or to be with my family or to be creative working in another business. But I can't do that. I can't have that. I have all of the story wrapped in the I can't. I won't.