There is no boilerplate solution to increasing productivity that works for everybody, however if I find something that’s working for me, I’m going to share it with you! Let’s dig into this Productivity Token Theory…
It occurred to me this week that dressing the part is a huge player in my own productivity. I once read somewhere that it’s common for folks with ADHD to keep their shoes on until they’re finished for their day because the moment their shoes come off, their motivation takes a nosedive. I’ve always known that if I needed to get to work on a task or a project, I absolutely had to put my shoes on. Aside from the orthopedic support offered, (this middle-aged former college rugby player turned mom of two needs all the help she can get), it’s more psychological than that.
When I’m preparing my home for an event and I’ve got cooking, cleaning, and sorting to handle, the first thing I do is put on my tennis shoes. If I’m sitting down to respond to emails, the shoes come on. If I’m blogging (right now), I make sure my sneakers are snug. Does this sound familiar to you, too?
This makes sense to me on so many levels. My body responds to the feeling it has with my laces tied, and that in turn tells my brain to launch into ‘go-mode’. It’s not just the shoes for me, either! Whole outfits make a difference. For instance, athleisure actually serves a purpose for me. I’m not into pumpkin spiced lattes, ugg boots, or ironic plaid prints for fashion; I’m actually into wearing tennis shoes, yoga pants, and compression shirts because they remind me of who I identify as.
Side Quest- I’m a huge believer in affirmations. Every morning, before I begin my archiving and journaling, I spend at least five minutes working through affirmations focused on my identity as a mother, leader, life partner, coach, and athlete. This year I’ve ramped up my focus on physical fitness and strength training, and a common element in my morning affirmations include language about my identity as a strong person, an athlete, a powerful swimmer, etc. These affirmations are written in the present tense, which is helping my brain embrace, accept, and act in accordance with that identity. Because of neuroplasticity, I’m actually training my brain to behave in accordance with my goals. Conversely, if I were to affirm myself in the future tense, like saying “I’m going to become” or “I’m working toward”, it gives room for variance, error, and the possibility of missing my mark.
Back to the topic at hand. I realized this week that I’ve not only been telling myself verbally and in writing that I’m an athlete, I’m also shaping my identity and subconsciously giving myself this message with the clothes that I’ve been wearing. Unless I have appointments for my business, my daily uniform begins with workout clothes. This tells me that I’m going to the gym. This is a constant reminder that I’ve got a workout ahead. This keeps me moving forward to the goal of having a solid session in the pool or the weight room. It also tells me that physical fitness is important to me and this is who I am. Most mornings, nobody sees me in these clothes, it’s not about the message I’m giving other people. It’s about the message I’m giving to myself. This is what I’m starting to call my “Productivity Tokens”. As an added bonus, it also reduces resistance to getting ready to go to the gym as well.
So knowing this, and understanding myself a little better, I’m now genuinely curious how putting these “Productivity Tokens” to use in other portions of my life might be effective. What would it look like if I had a ‘mom-sweater’, so that if I put that on my brain will learn that it’s time to be present with my kiddos and I’m not allowed to check messages or return phone calls? What might a ‘lead generation hat’ look like if I wore it every day when I made my lead gen calls? Do you think after some time I could use that hat as a tool to overcome task paralysis as well as help me stay focused during that time?
I challenge you to give this theory a shot in your own life. Think of things in your personal or professional life that you do on a regular basis, that are important to you, and that you might find yourself resisting or skipping. What element, piece of clothing, or even trinket might you layer into your routine to signal to your brain that it’s time to go? What rules might you have in place with that Productivity Token? What will you DO when you have that token in place? What will you NOT DO when it’s activated? I seriously think I’m onto something here so my next trial will be with the ‘mom sweater’.
Friends, it doesn’t matter if you’re neuro-typical or neuro-spicy, we all have our own super powers. It’s up to us to find ways to unlock that potential and level up our productivity. Because of our brain’s neuroplasticity, I’m positive that using Productivity Tokens will work for you.
As always, it is an honor and a privilege to be in business with each and every one of you.
Yours in Success,
Coach Lins
