For Starters, Abbreviated

'Bout time I give a synopsis of my book, yeah?

Here’s how I look at productivity. It’s not about maximizing your potential; it’s about optimizing your impact. Being busy means nothing. Being balanced and effective? Now we’re talking. So here is your ultimate (but abbreviated) guide to six commonly overlooked principles that will help you optimize productivity.

1. Gratitude Feeds You and Frees You. To have clarity in your purpose, you must be clear on what you’ve been given.

   
   

EMBRACE a new gratitude practice. Consistency is key! In 2005, Duke University performed a gratitude study that outperformed top antidepressants. Look it up! Also, I'm not saying ditch your meds. Don't do that. At least not yet.

ELIMINATE complaints. They get you nowhere and annoy people around you. Try this—set a stopwatch. See how long you can go without complaining.

CONSIDER your entitlements. Look at your complaints if that’s helpful—that’s where entitlements often hide. What are the blessings you’re not seeing? Start counting.

“Everything can be taken from a man, but one thing: the last of the human freedoms–to choose one’s attitude.” — Viktor Frankl

2. Identity is the Bedrock of Your Impact. True power doesn’t come from titles, affiliations, or achievements. It comes from who you are at your core.

EMBRACE hobbies. Remember when little things like a fresh box of crayons or new hiking boots excited you? There’s a reason why. Stop the scroll. Get in touch with younger you.

ELIMINATE judgment—toward others and from others. Stop worrying about what people think. Your identity is none of their business anyway.

CONSIDER confidence. It’s overrated. Self-esteem is unreliable and confidence waxes and wanes based on circumstances. Look to balance, growth and purpose instead.

“There’s no one else in the world like you.” — my mom

3. Success Hinges on Having the Right Team. The strongest influence on your decisions is the people around you. Curate a team as follows.

EMBRACE the three most important influencers in your life. Quality coaches (mentors, advisors), trusted teammates (partners, colleagues), and true fans (not for their hype, but for their lack of conditions).

ELIMINATE critics. Okay, so you can’t exactly eradicate them, but it is completely up to you whether you put them on your team.

CONSIDER those you spend the most time with. Do they measure up as a coach, teammate, or fan? I’ll be straight with you. It doesn’t take a village, it just takes a team.

“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller

4. Impact is Only Achieved Through Action. Here's a test. Do you act, or do you react? What's the difference?

EMBRACE mistakes and discomfort as critical parts of growth. Failure is both inevitable and necessary, so you might as well wrap your arms around it.

ELIMINATE victim mentality. Take the reins on your emotions. Don’t let the past hold you hostage and don’t be paralyzed by the future. You’re the boss and your time is now.

CONSIDER control. Frustration happens for one of two reasons — you’re trying to control someone/thing you can’t, or you’re allowing someone/thing to control you when you shouldn’t. You control you.

“The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” — Thomas Edison

5. Starters Aim to Give. Starters are those who make the difference they were meant to make. They don’t see a goal as an end. They see it as a means.

EMBRACE your strengths and talents as a means to impact the world around you. Develop an outward mindset (read this book by The Arbinger Institute). It’s not about you, I promise.

ELIMINATE grudges. The ultimate gift you can offer is forgiveness. Take the final step in separating yourself from someone else’s poor choices — let it go.

CONSIDER the team. Remember coaches, teammates and fans? Now you are the vessel. How are you showing up on someone else’s team?

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — Pablo Picasso

6. Finishing is a Matter of Clarity. The value of a goal is in the reaching, so focus on progress rather than an unyielding perseverance that doesn’t serve your purpose.

EMBRACE both your infinite worth and your profound expendability. Find that sweet spot between empowerment and humility, giving yourself completely over to purpose.

ELIMINATE distractions. Note, some are masked as assets. Learn to unapologetically say no to anything in disharmony with your identity and purpose.

CONSIDER quitting. Often, you have to travel the path a bit before seeing it’s wrong. Have the humility to re-route. Don’t see it as failure — see it as strategy.

“Quit because it’s wrong, not because it’s hard.” — Yours Truly

These six pillars of productivity are my guiding stars and the hallmarks of every great leader, or Starter.

Every human has potential for a unique impact on the world, equipped to light a fire only they can light. These principles are the match for starters.

• Starters make a lasting change.

• Starters are grateful.

• Starters are creators.

• Starters know their team.

• Starters don’t stop moving.

• Starters own their mistakes.

• Starters don’t react, they act.

• Starters make no excuses.

• Starters can be counted on.

This is productivity optimized. How’s your fire doing? Is it prepped? Are you still holding the match? What are you waiting for? Light it up.