How to Stay On a Productive Routine!

What does losing my shoe during an NFL game have anything to do with staying on a productive routine? Many of the lessons I learned from my NFL days caught me by surprise. No matter how they presented themselves; I valued them all. 

Today, one lesson is timely.  That is, how the game taught me how to deal with the unpredictable and how to adapt to change. No matter how many hours we prepared for an opponent, it was rare for a play to go exactly the way we planned. As you can see in the photo, who could have predicted a defensive lineman would pull my shoe off after taking a handoff. It is not like I had the luxury of asking everyone to stop as we did as children while playing in the street so I can put my shoe back on. Nope, you have to figure out how to play with one shoe. That is what the NFL was like; you were continually demonstrating your ability to make the necessary adjustments so you could keep your job. That was the reality of the business.

As I and millions are facing the current Coronavirus pandemic, I’m hearing from many who are struggling to make the right adjustments to stay productive. Here are four simple steps that are helping me stay in the game. 

• See where adjustments are needed. Even though we are in self-quarantine, locked down in some areas, or have other limitations, look at what you need to do from day today. See what the adjustments you will need to make. 

For instance, the meeting you planned on having at Starbucks, can it now be done on Zoom, Skype, or Facetime? So you are running a little low on food. Do you have to go to the store, or can you order it online? Then, of course, the workouts! All the gyms are closed! What kind of exercises can you still get in at home? Many virtual home workouts are being shared on social media.  

• Schedule It! Set your schedule the night before, so you know what time and what you need to do and when you need to do it. You want to check that task or action step off your list. Schedule it!

When you put it on your calendar, be sure to “time block.” Meaning, you block the time out in your daily schedule, so you have ample time to get it done. That may require you to eliminate distractions like your mobile phone and or social media. You want to make sure you are fully committed to the task, and it has all your attention to complete it successfully.

• Mentally commit to it – mindset is everything, and you must mentally make the decision ahead of time that this is what you are going to do. 

The quick fix to having the right mindset is you immediately adopt a positive mindset. When you have a positive mindset, you are in control. Every day you wake up with the right attitude, and you are ready to win. That is why positive people have a competitive advantage. Their mind is prepared to go and they see every day as a new opportunity to do something special.

• Execute – You can spend time “getting ready to get ready” all you want, but at some point, you have got to roll up your sleeves and do the work. The effort you put in daily to do your job is your responsibility and no one else’s. Anyone can do it when life is easy, and everything is going your way. But what about when life throws you that curveball you did not plan for?  

F.A.S.C.O. (failures, adversities, setbacks, challenges, and obstacles) are part of life. Sometimes they come in waves and many times it is when you least expect it. During my nine years in the NFL, I developed the habit of adapting to change. This is what I want for you, and there is no need for you to be in the NFL to learn this lesson. Millions from other professions are developing similar habits.

No matter what you are dealing with, whether it is the current pandemic or something else, do not flinch and do not panic. Let us keep you on a productive routine by:

1. See where adjustments are needed!
2. Schedule it!
3. Mentally commit to it!
4. Execute!

I shared in a recent video, You vs. You every day. Understanding this concept will help you better apply my recommendations. It is not you versus someone or something else. You’re in control of how you react to the circumstances around you, and it doesn’t matter how unusual they may be.  

BRING JJ BIRDEN IN TO SPEAK TO YOUR TEAM!