The Productivity Mindset

Do you get stressed because “there’s never enough time” and you don’t know how you’re going to get it all done? Are you frustrated by the never-ending stream of interruptions that distracts you from what’s important? Do you often have a nagging sense that something’s falling through the cracks?

Well, the answer is simply better time management or a productivity hack that would help you get twice as much done in the same amount of time, right? Surely if you just checked your email less often and “batched” your tasks, you’d finally get ahead of the game.

Actually, no – that is the flawed premise on which most productivity and time management programs are based. They assume that if you can get more done in less time, voila! you’ll have more free time.

But that’s not the case. As long as you’re alive, there will ALWAYS be more to do than you can ever finish in a given day, week, or month. And no matter how much you get done there will always be more to do.

So “managing time” is not the answer. Of course, time management techniques can help you be more efficient, but efficiency is not enough. if you want to feel fulfilled and deeply satisfied by your life, then you need a different approach.

Before I explain what that is, let me ask you this: what would you do if you had five extra hours per day — what would you be doing that you aren’t already?

Would you spend more time with family and friends? Take more vacations? Work four days a week? Take a language course or (re)learn an instrument? Or, do something really decadent, like get eight hours of sleep every night!?

More importantly, would you be able to fully focus your attention in the present (i.e. not think about work!) and enjoy yourself?

Here’s another question: Are you addicted to stress? Do you need the rush of a tight deadline in order to get moving?

Certainly, being under pressure can give you a surge of adrenaline that pumps up your energy levels. It helps tune out the chatter of the “inner critic” and its loud demands for perfection so you can power through to get things done.

But that burst of productivity comes at a high cost. Once you meet the deadline, inevitably you crash and burn. Next project, same thing happens. Eventually, this constant up-and-down rollercoaster motion takes its toll on your body and psyche. Each time, your gas tank hits empty quicker and takes longer to fill up.

The fact is, your best work is done when you sprint and then take time to recover.

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“I consider myself an organized person. I’ve had To Do lists and my calendar all sorted out since I was in college. Despite this, I’ve been feeling, for the past three years or so, like I just never have enough time on my hands.

Renita taught me that rather than focusing on getting everything done (which I realize is impossible), my job is to make sure I’m always doing the most important tasks in front of me. Just this simple paradigm shift, one of many she taught over the three sessions, was quite useful and powerful for me. She taught strategies on how to achieve this and also how to make myself more efficient as I tackle the ever-growing to do list.

As a result, I’ve wiped away a large amount of the stress I used to feel on a daily basis and I’m getting significantly more done in the same amount of hours.”

JP Pullos, Photography Entrepreneur/Founder, JP Colors

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Now, if you’re always working, you may realize you’re missing out but you may not realize how much. You’re not only missing out on the fun stuff that you’d rather be doing. You’re missing out on having a high quality of life.

When you’re stressed out, rushing around to do all the things you need to do, it’s hard to be present in the moment — even when you’re supposed to be having fun. That’s because there’s a part of your mind that’s still preoccupied with all the stuff you need to do and worrying that something might fall through the cracks.

This frantic pace, constant anxiety and stress has a serious impact on your health, relationships and general sense of well-being. What’s more, you often miss out on opportunities and synchronicities that show up every day, only to go unnoticed because you were too intent on keeping your nose to the grindstone (or the modern-day version, the computer screen).

If you eliminated procrastination from your life, would you produce better-quality work? If you were able to fully rest and recover, would you be more motivated and energized? If you were more often fully focused and “in the flow,” would you feel more satisfied and fulfilled?

• Spend fewer hours working and still get more done?
• Feel in control and relaxed while working?
• Be totally present and enjoy time with family and friends (instead of worrying about all the things you need to do)?
• Feel confident that you’re at your best, turning out your best work?
• Never (okay, rarely) feel overwhelmed?
• Sleep deeply and soundly and wake up feeling well-rested?

If changing your relationship to TIME + ATTENTION + ENERGY brought these results, wouldn’t you be willing to make a modest investment in mastering this area of your life?

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“Renita Kalhorn is nothing short of a miracle worker. After a lifetime of procrastination, I’m writing with more focus–in less time. As a direct result of the tools gained in Renita’s class, I’m no longer overwhelmed. My work unfolds on the page cleanly and thoughtfully–and far in advance of my clients’ needs. And Renita’s pearls of wisdom arrived just in time: since business has been thriving, working in a focused manner is now a matter of necessity. Thank you, Renita!”

Jean Tang, copywriter and content strategist, MarketSmiths.com

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Working with high-achievers over the past five years, I’ve found that their most common struggle is with a sense of overwhelm and not getting enough done. Although they are, in fact, pursuing ambitious goals and racking up impressive accomplishments, they often can’t relax enough to enjoy them, or if they somehow find the time, they don’t have the energy or ability to focus.

One day, it occurred to me that despite having a fast-moving business, an intense fitness regimen and a daily schedule of piano practice, I rarely feel overwhelmed or irritable, and my energy levels are higher than ever.

What’s my “secret”? I do use productivity and time management techniques, of course (and I will share which ones in this course). But prioritizing and making lists are not enough. The noticeable shift came when I made some quantum leaps in my mindset and how I manage the two most precious resources in life: ENERGY and ATTENTION.

That’s what I’d like to share: science-based PRINCIPLES that will help you fundamentally understand your relationship to time + attention + energy, and practical TECHNIQUES to make them work in YOUR life.

• You’ll feel more energized at work (even with normally tedious tasks, ideas will flow and solutions will come to you easily)
• You’ll make decisions more quickly and easily, without analysis paralysis or back-and-forth second-guessing
• Instead of reacting to what happens, you’ll feel a profound sense of control throughout the day
• You will feel relaxed and playful (taking yourself less seriously and finding more time for the people that matter to you in your life)
• You will be more efficient and effective (accomplishing two to three times more in an hour of work than before)

“Renita’s coaching has helped me reach higher levels of productivity (completing on average 35% more of my tasks each week with a focus on higher ROI activities), shatter company sales goals (reaching sales targets well ahead of my company’s expectations and causing a revision of double the revenues from my region before the close of 2011) and – probably most important – a work/life balance that allows me to enjoy every step of this amazing journey.”

Chris Maddern, LEED AP, MANAGER, REGIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SUMMIT ENERGY SERVICES, INC.

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Content: For three consecutive weeks, we’ll meet for 60-minutes via teleseminar where I’ll share fundamental concepts about the weekly topic leading into hot-seat coaching and Q&A.

WEEK 1: CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION OF TIME It’s not as fixed or absolute as you thought. Transform your perception of time and use it to create momentum and take control — of your focus and energy.

WEEK 2: CREATING LASER FOCUS. Bruce Lee said: “The successful warrior is the average man, but with laser-like focus.” To develop that, you need an arsenal of techniques for determining your priorities, building unstoppable momentum, decimating overwhelm, controlling your attention and eliminating procrastination. You’ll get them here.

WEEK 3: UPGRADE YOUR ENERGY SOURCES. How would you like to feel exhilarated and energized – not depleted – by your work? It’s possible. But first you have to regain your natural rhythms of energy – mental, emotional, physical and spiritual – that have gotten lost in the (literally) inhuman pace of modern society. Time is finite; energy can be expanded and renewed. You’ll learn how to sprint instead of plod, banish the energy vampires and not just plan, but choreograph your day for consistent energy levels and optimum performance.

No pre-made videos or audios with this program — you get me LIVE, in real-time, for THREE 60-minute sessions via phone or computer every Wednesday from February 29 – March 14. Sessions take place weekly at 2:00 pm EST (1:00 pm CST; 11:00 am PST, 8:00 pm CET).

Between scheduled calls, the online support forum will give you the camaraderie, networking and accountability you need to stay focused and moving forward. You’ll be able to:

• Post questions for me and your fellow participants
• Network with other multi-talented, international high-achievers
• Find links to an array of resources that I’ve personally curated
• Share your wins, ask questions and solicit feedback  

Download the audio recording of each week’s course to follow along, review and refer back to as you follow the course. Repetition is the secret to lasting change. With each listening, you will pick up new information and start to see a positive shift in your thought patterns and habits. 

Quick download access to all the templates, checklists, worksheets I’ve painstakingly developed over the years, as well as other resources for your own library.

DATES: Wednesdays: February 29th, March 7th, 14th

TIME:     2:00 pm EST (11:00 PST, 8:00 pm CET)

INVEST: $127.00 Early Bird (increases to $167.00 at midnight EST on February 22nd)

Think about it: what it would be like to feel calm and in control instead of frenetic and stressed  - no matter what your day brings. How would you like to be confident that you’re on track, focused on the right priorities and getting the most important tasks done? What would it be worth to feel a sense of ease and flow in your daily routine rather than anxiety and overwhelm?

That’s the productivity mindset.

Ready to take action?

p.s. As always, if you have questions about whether this program is a good fit for you, write to me directly at renita@theflowfactor.com.