Brutal Truths About Productivity No One Wants to Talk About

“Action is the foundational key to all success.”

Action gets results. Results are what you want, not just ideas.

Don't spend all your time thinking about everything you can improve. Until you start doing what needs to be done, you're not really making a difference.

“To think is easy. To act is difficult. To act as one thinks is the most difficult.”

The biggest hurdle is to take that first step. You have everything you need to make an impact in the world if you can push the reasons aside why you should not start now.

Use what you have right now where you are and just start. Watch the magic of getting things done.

"Success demands a singleness of purpose."

Many people want to do well at work. You may risk and do much but will have nothing to show for it.

You won't be able to do everything this week or this month. That is okay. As long as you are consistent and stick to the process. It's important to take time out and ask how you could have done differently to achieve the same results.

“If you see distraction externally, you end up creating an internally distracted state.”

The demand for our time is increasingly more than our capacity. We are currently flooded with information and requests and may feel compelled to meet the expectations.

It is draining us of the energy we need. But being selective and doing less is the path of the productive.

“Do not wait: the time will never be ‘just right’. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command and better tools will be found as you go along.”

We will always be able to come up with another excuse why this is not the best time. There is no perfect time. So re-clarify your goals.

• What do you want to achieve?
• What should you do to get there?
• What are the steps to take?

“Reflect on what you do in a day. You may have never realised how some simple harmless activities rob you of precious time.”

Sometimes you can feel like you're always working against the clock, and rearranging plans and tasks to meet deadlines. When you do take time to relax, you feel guilty.

Taking breaks refreshes your mind and allows you to come back to your task with renewed energy and a sense of purpose.