By Flint Wallace-
I was looking through some notes in one of my journals from a couple of years ago and came across a quote from Tim Ferris, “Focus on being productive instead of being busy.”
There are times when we all are guilty of procrastination or we are overstimulated because we are always trying to multi-task, so I started to think up some steps we can take that can help us to get more stuff done. I came up with a few ideas that I think can help me (and maybe you as well) become more productive.
Have a Morning Routine
A routine is a sequence of actions regularly followed, usually at a particular time; a fixed program. Routines, like waking up at the same time each day, going through your morning rituals, and leaving the house to make it to work or school with time to spare, bring consistency to our day. (And consistency is a major key to success.)
I have spent quite a bit of time studying what successful people do, and I have found that many of them have a consistent morning routine that they do each and every day.
Have a Plan
Have a plan for what and when things need to get done for that day. This will change from time to time because different things may take priority on different days, but strive to spend a couple of minutes at the start of the day or the night before to plan the day out. Make sure the plan is to get stuff done, not to just stay busy.
Get things done that do not take much of your time or effort as soon as possible each day. Do not procrastinate! If you are like me, sometimes I put off these types of things thinking that they will not take long or that it will be easy, then at the end of the day I am scrambling to get those “easy” things done. So do them as they come up or as soon as you can each day, like answering an email, returning a call, or emptying the trash.
For students, do your schoolwork/homework each day as soon as you get a chance, or do it in sections as you get time throughout the day. Do not wait to start it late at night! You will be scrambling just to get it done instead of giving it your best effort. This also often causes you to get to bed too late and not get enough sleep in order to be fully recovered and ready for the next day, reducing the chance to be productive.
Be Present
The last thing is to be present in the task at hand. This reminds me of a statement from the head baseball coach at Fresno State, Mike Batesole. At the 2009 ABCA Convention, he told the audience the one team rule he had for his 2008 National Championship team.
The rule was: “Be where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there, doing what you are supposed to be doing.”
That pretty much sums it up to me! We have all been guilty of being in class or a meeting and thinking about baseball, and when we are at baseball, we are thinking about other things. If you are in math class, in a meeting, at baseball practice, or at dinner with your spouse, be there both physically and mentally.
Remember, have a morning routine, have a plan, and be present in the task at hand.
Until Next Time… Keep Getting After It!
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Important TBR Updates
- We 1 remaining Elite Pitchers Bootcamps on the summer schedule after this weekend, it is Labor Day weekend September 5-7 and there are still a handful of spots available.
- Due to several request, we have added 2 camps in October. We will have a Columbus Day weekend Elite Pitchers Bootcamp October 10-12 and a Youth EPBC (ages 8-12 years) October 17-18. For more information on these popular events, please visit www.TexasBaseballRanch.com/events.
- Response to our “Ranch Remote” training option has been exciting. It’s a program for people that would still like to get access to, and ongoing instruction from, the TBR staff but prefer to avoid travel due to the virus. Click here to get more information on this NEW, hyper-personalized training option. The number of participants in this program is limited to 36 so if you’re interested, don’t dealy.
- Like many of you, we have heard the news that many Junior Colleges across the country have cancelled their fall season and in some cases, the entire 2020-2021 athletic season. This obviously is both disappointing and frustrating for many young men. At the Texas Baseball Ranch®, we have decided to put into place a fall training program for those young men who would like to take a ‘gap’ year, focusing on a structured developmental program that will best prepare them for college baseball when it finally does return. Please email info@TexasBaseballRanch.com if you would like more information on this option.
for more details or to sign up for any of these options.
