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Success Advice

Master This Skill To Become Instantly Successful

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Productivity is a buzzword these days and most successful professionals in a wide range of fields have hailed productivity principles as the key to their success.

So what is it about productivity that’s having such a positive impact on the ability of individuals to achieve their goals?

What Does It Mean To Be Productive?

The conventional definition of productivity is very simplistic, and often misleading because it assumes that the more time spent on something, the more output will be produced. In other words, that being busy (as well as focusing on quantity as opposed to quality) is synonymous with being productive, which research has shown to be a flawed concept.

Your productivity is a measure of how much you are able to achieve (not just in terms of quantity but also in terms of quality) using the resources (including time, finances, educational resources, etc.) available to you. Naturally, this means that people who are more productive are more likely to achieve more goals, and therefore reach success a lot sooner than those who are not. The reason that increased productivity is crucial to success isn’t rocket science – who doesn’t want to be able to achieve more of their goals in less time?

In order to increase your productivity, you can either do one of two things:

  1. Increase the “value” that you can achieve with the same resources available
  2. Decrease the amount of resources that you require in order to achieve the “value”
Going Beyond The Productivity Formula

So how can you either increase the “value” (quantity and quality) of the things you achieve and/or decrease the amount of resources that you need in order to achieve them? Here are 5 essentials to do just that.

1. Good habits vs bad ones

You’ll probably notice that in order to achieve the goals that you’ve set out for yourself, some significant changes need to be made in your life. Whether you plan on getting up earlier everyday, getting more exercise, or getting more hours of study in each day, you’re going to have to form a new set of more productive life patterns and habits.

Your success and how productive you are is made up of how many good habits you have vs the bad ones. If you have more bad ones…of course that is going to make you less productive!

“Good habits formed at youth make all the difference.” – Aristotle

2. Challenge your laziness

Along the way towards achieving your goals, expect to come across numerous challenges. You know you need to do something, but you don’t feel like it. How well you deal with these moments largely depends on how much you challenge yourself in the moment.

Challenging your laziness and weak side relates to productivity because if you don’t, you won’t be able to find the willpower to get things done in a productive manner and you would be more likely to fall into the trap of procrastination. Every time you put off doing what will take you closer to your dreams, you’re wasting your most valuable resource, time!

3. Train Your Brain For Success

The results you have in your life right now are a direct reflection of your common thoughts – mindset. Successful and productive people think in a certain way.

Start to be aware of your limiting thoughts and the ones that keep you from being more productive. Tell them to ‘shut up’ and take action. You will always have two voices, are you going to listen to the stronger one or the weaker one?

4. Determine your true goals

Why do you want to be more productive and why is it important to you? Whether you want to start your own business or to start a new career, having a crystal clear picture of your goals tied in with a powerful why, will help you to direct your actions in a more productive way.

When you have clarity on what you want and why, you automatically make better decisions about your time and you get more done.

5. Plan effectively

How are you going to get from where you are now to where you want to be in life? Think about the resources you’ll need and weigh out the different options available to you. Create your own blueprint and a strategy for achieving your goals.

This will result in higher levels of productivity because you’ll have a clearer idea of where it would be most advantageous to direct your resources at each stage of your plan. You can take a million routes to reach your goal but you need to plan to take the most effective one.

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” – Paul J. Meyer

Being productive is about more than just getting particular things done within a specific time frame. When you’ve been productive long enough, you’ll come to recognize it as a lifestyle. It impacts every aspect of your life for the better.

Honing in on the ability to create the results you want doesn’t just mean that you’ll be able to take control of your professional life, it also means that you’ll be more in control of your health, well-being and success in everyday life!

Which skill are you going to master? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

Kirstin O’Donovan is a “multinational” productivity coach, author and founder of TopResultsCoaching an international company providing coaching services in nearly a dozen countries. With over 10 years working in the field of coaching and personal development, she provides her expertise to help individuals create the life and results they desire.   Kirstin also writes for various international publications in personal development. Kirstin, a certified NLP Practitioner, holds various qualifications, certificates and credentials related to personal and business coaching. She is the author of ‘Maximize your time to maximize your profit’ and Co-Author of ‘The Confident Woman’ and ‘There is GOLD inside YOU.’

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Success Advice

11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age

Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.

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In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)

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Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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