88 days left in the quarter.

Difference of the Day #106

Yesterday, we discussed your #onething and #output. Today, let's focus on the other two tools of personal effectiveness: #tracking and #review.

First, let's delve into #tracking, which helps you monitor your progress.

Imagine if sports didn't have a scoring system—whether it's American football, basketball, baseball, or hockey. How would you know if your favorite team was winning? Without scores, you'd soon lose enthusiasm for the game. Similarly, tracking your progress is essential to maintain motivation and know if you're moving towards your goals.

For instance, if your #onething is to lose 5 kg in 3 months, a possible #output might be taking at least 10,000 steps daily. #Tracking allows you to monitor this action to ensure consistency. Without tracking, you risk losing track of your progress and potentially derailing after a few weeks.

Now, let's talk about #review, the fourth and final tool for personal effectiveness, which we will use weekly. #Review is a fixed weekly appointment with yourself to evaluate your #onething, your #outputs (yes, you can track more than one), and the rest of your commitments.

The primary purpose of the weekly #review is to help you build the habit of keeping promises to yourself. Schedule a recurring weekly appointment, preferably on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

A simple #review takes no more than 10-15 minutes and involves two main activities:

1. Objectively review the activities you committed to in the previous week. Which ones did you complete? Which ones did you need to complete? Why?

2. Make a concise list of activities for the coming week. These can include your primary #output, other actions to achieve your #onething, and any other commitments and habits you want to maintain.

The #review links your #onething to the rest of your professional and personal life. Asking yourself these simple questions every week will foster continuous improvement.

Here's an example of a #review:

Week 1 Commitments:
- Write 2 newsletters and 5 social posts. (Published)
- Complete 3 gym workouts and 2 cardio sessions. (Completed 2 gym workouts and 2 cardio sessions)
- Meditate daily for at least 15 minutes. (Completed 3 15-minute and 2 10-minute sessions)

Week 2 Commitments:
- Complete 14 hours of deep work.
- Do 3 gym workouts and 2 cardio sessions.
- Meditate daily for at least 15 minutes.

Simple.

The #review is your weekly checkpoint to objectively assess your past week's performance and plan the following week's activities.

Your tasks for today:
1. Set up your #tracking: use a paper chart, Excel sheet, or a habit-tracking app.
2. Decide where to keep track of your #reviews: ensure it's always accessible.

Remember, the #review isn't just for your #output but also for other actions needed to achieve your priority #onething and the most critical activities in your personal and professional life.

Avoid creating endless lists that only induce anxiety! Focus on 3-5 key activities that, when completed, give you a real sense of progress rather than a "phone book" of tasks, including trivial items like bathroom breaks.

Rember, #onething, #output, #tracking, and #review are four of the most critical tools in the Life Operating System that we will use all year round.

See you tomorrow, Today, Make A Difference.
Andrei

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