Emergency Essentials is having a sale/giveaway over the next ten days.
Each day they are going to have an item on sale. Each day, they will be giving away one of that item.
Today (Day 1, Monday) is a one person 3-Day Emergency Kit.
For details on the giveaway, check their blog: http://preparednesspantry.blogspot.com/
oneDo you find yourself wishing there were a couple of extra hours at the end of the day?
Before anyone can be self reliant, he or she needs to get in the habit of being a “do”er. You will never get the preps set aside, you’ll never take that first aid class, and you’ll never be able to take charge of your life if you don’t learn to manage your time and be productive.
Here’s some of the stuff that has helped and is helping me in my quest to be self reliant.
The Pomodoro Technique
One of the biggest reasons we don’t get stuff done the way want is that distractions. The Pomodoro Technique is a very simple way to practice being focused on one thing at a time. Don’t dismiss it just because it’s simple. If you really try it out, I’ll bet you find yourself getting more and more stuff done.
If you read about the technique and decide it’s for you, there’s a good, free software out there that can help you follow it. Check it out: Focus Booster
The $25,000 Idea
Here’s another simple Idea that can help you have more productive days. Read the story on the site to get how the “List of Six” can work. You don’t need software to implement this idea, although the site I’m linking to does have a $3 piece available. Note: I wrote the software, so this is, at least in part, shameless self promotion. But again – you don’t need software to implement the $25,000 idea, just a pen and paper.
Like the Pomodoro Technique, the power here is in the following of a simple technique. You can use whatever tool works for you.
Zen to Done
Are you looking for a slightly more comprehensive system for productivity and time management? Zen to done might work for you.
In fact, the Zen to Done system is a kind of a simplified, goal and action oriented version of Getting Things Done which you’ll read about next.
If you can’t afford (or don’t want to shell out for) the book, just look around the author’s site for a while, probably starting at the Start Here page.
Getting Things Done
David Allen turned the Franklin-Covey-based productivity world on it’s ear with his book and system “Getting Things Done.” Also known as GTD, it is a system of productivity that can really make a huge difference in how you can finally get to all of those little (and big) tasks that keep falling through the cracks.
I was introduced to it through a CD set that Nightingale-Conant used to sell, and quite frankly, it changed my life. I still don’t implement everything Allen teaches, but everything I have implemented has helped me reduce stress and be more productive. I really can’t recommend this one enough.
Again, if you don’t want to shell out for the “Getting Things Done” book, there are tons of recourses on the web that can show you what it’s all about. Just Google “GTD” and you’ll see what I mean.
In The End
I use bits and pieces from many authors and systems. I try to find what works for me and follow it. I’m not perfect, but these concepts, systems and ideas have made a difference for me.
2 comI have seen some good information on the internet recently, but somehow I haven’t seen too many good how-tos and DIY projects. I’d better keep an eye out.
General
Emergency Preparedness
Personal Finance
note: this is a guest post by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits
“The shortest answer is doing.” - Lord Herbert
Too often we get stuck in inaction — the quagmire of doubt and perfectionism and distractions and planning that stops us from moving forward.
And while I’m no proponent of a whirling buzz of activity, I also believe people get lost in the distractions of the world and lose sight of what’s important, and how to actually accomplish their Something Amazing.
And so today I’d like to humbly present a few little rules of action — just some small reminders, things I’ve found useful but by no means invented, common-sense stuff that is often not common enough.
1. Don’t overthink. Too much thinking often results in getting stuck, in going in circles. Some thinking is good — it’s good to have a clear picture of where you’re going or why you’re doing this — but don’t get stuck thinking. Just do.
2. Just start. All the planning in the world will get you nowhere. You need to take that first step, no matter how small or how shaky. My rule for motivating myself to run is: Just lace up your shoes and get out the door. The rest takes care of itself.
3. Forget perfection. Perfectionism is the enemy of action. Kill it, immediately. You can’t let perfect stop you from doing. You can turn a bad draft into a good one, but you can’t turn no draft into a good draft. So get going.
4. Don’t mistake motion for action. A common mistake. A fury of activity doesn’t mean you’re doing anything. When you find yourself moving too quickly, doing too many things at once, this is a good reminder to stop. Slow down. Focus.
5. Focus on the important actions. Clear the distractions. Pick the one most important thing you must do today, and focus on that. Exclusively. When you’re done with that, repeat the process.
6. Move slowly, consciously. Be deliberate. Action doesn’t need to be done fast. In fact, that often leads to mistakes, and while perfection isn’t at all necessary, neither is making a ridiculous amount of mistakes that could be avoided with a bit of consciousness.
7. Take small steps. Biting off more than you can chew will kill the action. Maybe because of choking, I dunno. But small steps always works. Little tiny blows that will eventually break down that mountain. And each step is a victory, that will compel you to further victories.
8. Negative thinking gets you nowhere. Seriously, stop doing that. Self doubt? The urge to quit? Telling yourself that it’s OK to be distracted and that you can always get to it later? Squash those thoughts. Well, OK, you can be distracted for a little bit, but you get the idea. Positive thinking, as corny as it sounds, really works. It’s self-talk, and what we tell ourselves has a funny habit of turning into reality.
9. Meetings aren’t action. This is a common mistake in management. They hold meetings to get things done. Meetings, unfortunately, almost always get in the way of actual doing. Stop holding those meetings!
10. Talking (usually) isn’t action. Well, unless the action you need to take is a presentation or speech or something. Or you’re a television broadcaster. But usually, talking is just talking. Communication is necessary, but don’t mistake it for actual action.
11. Planning isn’t action. Sure, you need to plan. Do it, so you’re clear about what you’re doing. Just do it quickly, and get to the actual action as quickly as you can.
12. Reading about it isn’t action. You’re reading an article about action. Ironic, I know. But let this be the last one. Now get to work!
13. Sometimes, inaction is better. This might be the most ironic thing on the list, but really, if you find yourself spinning your wheels, or you find you’re doing more harm than good, rethink whether the action is even necessary. Or better yet, do this from the beginning — is it necessary? Only do the action if it is.
2 com“Talk doesn’t cook rice.” - Chinese Proverb
Here’s some self reliance stuff from around the web this week.
General Self Reliance
Gardening
Emergency Preparedness
Personal Finance
