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The Most Unproductive Question You Can Ask

On most days, I wake up extra early in the morning to get stuff done. It doesn’t always work, but it’s part of the productivity rhythm I’ve developed over the last year. This time is critical for me; no one else in the house is awake, the phone isn’t ringing and there are very few people online to chat with (no offense to people I chat with!) It means I can focus on a few important things to gear up for the day. Waking up early sets the entire tone for being productive.

But getting up early to get things done is completely useless if I have to ask myself:

What am I supposed to be doing today?

This is the most unproductive question you can ask. If you start your day not having a clear picture of what you want to accomplish you’re lost.

A better approach is to figure out your to-do list the day before.

Here’s why:

  1. Ending a day with a clearer picture of tomorrow will set your mind at ease.
  2. The day you just finished is clearer in your head. And since tomorrow’s tasks will flow from today’s tasks, your to-do list will be better written and prioritized if it’s done immediately after finishing work.
  3. Figuring out what has to be accomplished requires time and brain power. When you start a day it’s better to jump right into things and not have to spend important time planning. Doing your planning at night when other things are calmer allows you to focus better.

You need to dedicate time each day to planning the next one.

It’ll make you more productive, and help you stay in a productive mindset. If you have to ask yourself, “What do I need to get done today?” the day is already slipping past you…

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April 27, 2007 Posted in Productivity by

  • http://www.productivitygoal.com Carolyn Manning

    It’s always those little things that let the big things happen. I didn’t think of it before, Ben, but planning for next year is no good unless we take time to plan one day at a time.

  • http://www.productivitygoal.com Carolyn Manning

    It's always those little things that let the big things happen. I didn't think of it before, Ben, but planning for next year is no good unless we take time to plan one day at a time.

  • http://www.ilovetoplay.com Marc Chriqui

    Tomorrow I plan on planning for the next day to plan for the next day to plan for the next day to plan for the next day…

    A little Friday humour…

    Good stuff Ben, have a great weekend!

  • David V.

    I like to use reminders to plan for the day ahead. Every task / project I do has a reminder set for it. When I complete part of the project I reset the reminder for the next due date sequentially in the project. When I start work in the morning I have a list of tasks to complete that were set when the project was fresh in my mind. No muss no fuss.

  • Pingback: Thoughts & Philosophies » Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize

  • http://www.ilovetoplay.com Marc Chriqui

    Tomorrow I plan on planning for the next day to plan for the next day to plan for the next day to plan for the next day…

    A little Friday humour…

    Good stuff Ben, have a great weekend!

  • David V.

    I like to use reminders to plan for the day ahead. Every task / project I do has a reminder set for it. When I complete part of the project I reset the reminder for the next due date sequentially in the project. When I start work in the morning I have a list of tasks to complete that were set when the project was fresh in my mind. No muss no fuss.

  • http://chinoyray.com Nietzsche

    what I’m planning to do tomorrow is to be still spontaneous just the way I was and just the way I am still.

    I do not really like planning stuff. Although I admit that it will organize your life. However, I live everyday as if it is my last. Personal philosophy.

  • http://chinoyray.com Nietzsche

    what I'm planning to do tomorrow is to be still spontaneous just the way I was and just the way I am still.

    I do not really like planning stuff. Although I admit that it will organize your life. However, I live everyday as if it is my last. Personal philosophy.

  • http://www.MyPatentCenter.com Nancy

    I agree with the to do list. We may have a good idea of what we are going to do for the next day, but usually forget these things. Making a to do list a day before is indeed a good idea.

  • http://www.MyPatentCenter.com Nancy

    I agree with the to do list. We may have a good idea of what we are going to do for the next day, but usually forget these things. Making a to do list a day before is indeed a good idea.

  • http://www.homemom3.blogspot.com Homemom3

    I have to agree with this, I was trying to do it without planning the night before. I’ve done it back and forth actually but in the last four days I started doing this and actually got more things done. I think I’m going to print out the sheet MomGadget uses though.

  • http://www.homemom3.blogspot.com Homemom3

    I have to agree with this, I was trying to do it without planning the night before. I've done it back and forth actually but in the last four days I started doing this and actually got more things done. I think I'm going to print out the sheet MomGadget uses though.

  • http://www.CorporateEventPlanningTips.com Marie

    I make a to do list but there are times that I forget to make. It sure is frustrating to start a nice day and don’t have an idea what to do.

  • http://www.CorporateEventPlanningTips.com Marie

    I make a to do list but there are times that I forget to make. It sure is frustrating to start a nice day and don't have an idea what to do.

  • http://www.MyTimemanagementTips.com Alan

    Not only it is frustrating but also a huge time waster. Making a to do list will maximize our performance by getting rid of the moment where we think of the next thing to do.

  • http://www.MyTimemanagementTips.com Alan

    Not only it is frustrating but also a huge time waster. Making a to do list will maximize our performance by getting rid of the moment where we think of the next thing to do.

  • http://www.ebookforlawofattraction.com/secretreport.htm josephine

    yeah I do the same thing to make my day fruitfull

  • http://www.ebookforlawofattraction.com/secretreport.htm josephine

    yeah I do the same thing to make my day fruitfull

  • Pingback: A Carnival Of Productivity Tips, July 2007 - Krishna De: Branding, Business Blogging, Personal Branding Attracting More Clients: Biz Growth News

About Ben Yoskovitz
I recently joined GoInstant as VP Product. GoInstant changes how we use the web, making it shareable like never before.

I'm also a Founding Partner at Year One Labs, an early stage accelerator in Montreal. Previously I founded Standout Jobs (and sold it). I'm a hands-on startup guy, helping companies grow successfully from the idea forward. You can reach me at byosko at gmail dot com.

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