Thread by @dickiebush

"Do intentional, effortless work."

I've been looking for a short, personal productivity mantra.

One that I can keep top of mind and repeat every time to sit down to work.

Here are some thoughts on these four words and why I chose them:

The four words in this mantra sum up the way I want to work every day.

Let's dig into each one.

Do.

Not plan, not theorize, not ponder. Do.

I've found that the root of overwhelm comes from trying to figure everything out at once.

The simple cure for this overwhelm?

Realizing how much work you can get done in 90 focused minutes.

Let action, not planning, bring clarity.

Intentional.

My simple productivity definition: at any moment doing what I said I would be doing.

And intentional work is knowing what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, then executing.

A day spent doing intentional work is the foundation of satisfaction, knowing I moved the needle.

Effortless.

Not everything you do has to be as hard as you're making it.

So do everything you're supposed to do, but without all the made-up strain.

• Make it easy to get started
• Have a clear definition of done
• Recognize when things are good enough

h/t @GregoryMcKeown

An additional point on effortless work:

When you feel yourself straining on something, take it as a signal.

It probably means you should automate, delegate, or eliminate this work.

Your highest value-add work will always get done in a state of flow, not strain.

Work.

I derive much of my satisfaction from work and accomplishment.

But work done with intention and without strain is sustainable, satisfying, and flat-out fun.

The first three words - do, intentional, and effortless - make the last word - work - feel like play.

Do intentional, effortless work.

What do you think?

Do you have any personal productivity mantras?

Did any of these ideas resonate?

Let me know in the replies 👇🏼