How have you customized a popular productivity method to better suit your individual coaching style?

Eat the Frog: Wash it down with cold water Eat the frog is a powerful productivity tool that involves doing your most difficult and important task first to make others seem simple. When done correctly, it works. The challenge is that your will power and dopamine levels to pursue that task are dependent on a lot of outside factors. A bad sleep, a couple drinks the night before, or scrolling Instagram in the morning will make this hurdle too large. This is why we need a little spice. Every activity depends on your dopamine levels and if they are low from non replenishment (Sleep) or you use it on social media, that big task gets bigger. That means you need a way to increase your dopamine in a lasting way. You will need to step out of your head for this one and do something physically difficult. Physically difficult activities (I.e. painful ones) have a unique ability to increase dopamine levels and keep them high. My personal favorite is the cold shower. If I'm starring a difficult task in the face and don't want to get started, I shift my focus to a cold shower. I also don't want to do that but it only takes 2 minutes, which seems much more manageable. After stepping out of the cold shower I feel super human. I can then sit down at my desk and dial up my task with ease. Be sure to adhere to proper cold shower protocols or consult your doctor. There is more and more research coming out on how brain chemistry can be altered to offer boosts in productivity and happiness. It's time we take advantage of this research.

In my coaching practice, I integrate neuroscience principles with the Kanban method to manage my workload and ensure efficient prioritization. This combination allows me to visualize tasks clearly, simplify processes, and limit work in progress, mirroring the strategies I employ in coaching sessions. This tailored approach not only enhances my productivity but also serves as a practical model for clients, demonstrating how to adapt general methodologies to fit personal needs and cognitive styles. It's a powerful way to teach clients about setting manageable goals and maintaining focus in a busy environment.

Figuring out how to organise their time can be tricky for some clients. I have asked them to draw up a calendar for the week, dividing each day into 3 parts i.e. morning, afternoon, evening. We use this together with the image of a jar filled with rocks of different sizes, where the biggest rocks (which represent the most important things in our lives) are placed in the jar first then the others in descending order of size. The visualization of the jar, with explanation has helped clients clarify their priorities when it comes to how they will use their time. They then make sure that the most important things in their lives find space in their calendars first.

I've adapted the Eisenhower method to align with my coaching style by guiding clients beyond mere awareness to actionable steps. Initially, we categorize their time based on urgency and importance, then we focus on reclaiming unproductive hours weekly by identifying tasks they can Defer, Delete, or Delegate. Finally, we implement Productivity Focus Blocks in their calendars, dedicating specific time to high-value action tasks or projects tailored to their goals.

Productivity methods for coaching styles? The productivity methods that have helped me be a better coach are focused on how I manage my energy. As someone who has perfectionist tendencies, I have had the belief that you must be constantly busy and not waste a minute. So, I used to schedule meetings back-to-back and would find myself exhausted! So, what I heave embraced are two simple tools: 1. Kaizen, the Japanese art of taking small steps; 2. Small physical actions such as deep breathing. What helps me stay productive as a coach has been adding tiny breaks between my coaching calls and administrative and marketing work. I aim to always leave 15 minutes between calls to reenergize myself. And, one of my favorite recharging methods is to hula-hoop for 2-3 minutes during the day as this lightens my mood and reenergizes.

I have used the pompodoro technique to improve my productivity and suggest this to my clients often. In this technique you break down the tough tasks into smaller increments which are about 20-30 minutes. Once that time period is up, you move on. I love this technique so much I have a online productivity flow where I even coach people through the timeframe and it can connect to your phone so if you pick the phone up my voice comes on and reminds you not to get distracted. This is working well for myself and my clients.

One secret of the best coaches is that we focus on our clients' needs, not our own style. So when a client shares that they're not being productive, we investigate a few things: (1) what does being productive look like for them? (2) What is getting in the way of their effectiveness? and (3) What are some actual steps they're willing to try to get out of this rut? In answering these questions, we might come up with solutions that are aligned with popular productivity methods, but we also might come up with something wildly different, but works for that client. The truth is there's no perfect method for everyone, and often after a while one method will stop being effective and it's time to try something new.

In my coaching practice, I've tailored the Pomodoro Technique to fit my unique approach. Initially, I found its rigid time constraints limiting for some clients. So, I adapted it to allow for more flexibility in session lengths, accommodating varying attention spans and energy levels. I also integrated mindfulness practices into the breaks, encouraging clients to recharge mentally and emotionally. Additionally, I encourage clients to personalize their tasks within each Pomodoro session, aligning with their goals and priorities. Furthermore, I've incorporated reflective exercises at the end of each Pomodoro cycle, fostering self-awareness and continuous improvement. By customizing the Pomodoro Technique in this way, I've seen my clients experience enhanced focus, productivity, and overall well-being.

Adapted from "Getting Things Done" by David Allen, is what I like to call The Weekly Reset. Once a week for one hour, this becomes a ritual - an opportunity for my clients to mindfully reflect on accomplishments, get current with projects, and plan for a successful week ahead. Because I coach a lot of women in business (corporate and entrepreneurs), I take this one step further by having women incorporate their menstrual cycle into their planning so that they are aligning their internal system (their natural energy levels, how their hormones will be affecting their brain functions, etc) with their tasks and responsibilities for maximum impact. Many of the productivity methodologies fail to acknowledge that women operate differently than men. It's why the burnout rates for women are higher: the business world operates on a circadian rhythm - like men. In addition to the 24-hour rhythm, women have their 28-day infradian cycle to consider if they want to increase productivity and impact. While a man's energy, focus, and ability supports a daily routine, women cannot operate in the same way if they want to boost productivity AND sustain optimal well being. This is why some weeks they are rock stars in meetings, presentations, and negotiations and other weeks they are better at tackling all the small details of a project. As my female clients learn the types of tasks their system is best suited for at any given point throughout a month, they become more empowered, more productive, more impactful - all while feeling healthier, stronger and more energized. Instead of forcing themselves to operate like men, they learn to flow with nature so they can truly make the difference they're here to make - without the sacrifice.

I love the concept of Bullet Journaling, which is a very popular productivity method for listing out notes, tasks, and ideas. However, for a lot of my right-brained creative coaching clients, the magic lies in narrative writing, which is why I have customized this concept into a framework called Mindful Monday Mapping (or “MMM” for short). I first implemented this framework for myself some years ago, and was able to slash my workload in half as a result. I have now turned MMM into my signature coaching program for the purpose of helping my clients do the same. It builds on the idea of using a recurring reflection routine for productivity, and it integrates short Bullet Journaling prompts, the concept of Kaizen, and the Kanban method of working at the same time. Putting pen to paper for short narrative writing exercises forces conciseness, which ultimately leads to more creativity, better ideas, and sharper decision-making. I’m proud to say that he majority of my clients have been able to create much shorter work weeks for themselves within 6 months of implementing my technique.

The Eisenhower Priority matrix can be a game-changer to help people prioritize their tasks by seeing which priorities to focus more energy on, and which to outsource or remove entirely. I've customized it further for my coaching clients to be a step-by-step process that will leave them with a rank order list of tasks. This is really helpful for leaders who need to delegate more and work more strategically. First, you simply list out all of your tasks within a project, in whatever order they come to your mind. Then you go line by line through each task and add the deadline (if externally based), if it is urgent (yes or no), important (yes or no), and who is responsible to complete the task. Then you go back through and add a deadline to anything that didn't have one yet and assign dates based on tasks that are urgent and important first, then tasks that are important but not urgent, then tasks that are urgent but not important. Lastly, you sort the list based on which deadline is soonest.

Daily routines are very popular and trendy right now and they should be because they work. The secret sauce lies in knowing why you're using each tool and figuring out how to tailor them to suit your own goals and aspirations. I have developed a peak performance process called QP1 or Quantum Programming that serves as a roadmap that helps my clients uncover their hidden passions and drive, then harnesses them to supercharge their results. We blend mindset coaching, meditation, breathwork, nutrition, and faith into a powerful cocktail of success. I'm happy to report that my clients are consistently achieving outstanding results!

I've customized the Pomodoro Technique to suit my coaching style and boost productivity at Dental SEO Expert. Traditional Pomodoro involves 25-minute work sprints and 5-minute breaks. I found this method effective, but it needed adjustments for my team’s workflow. I extended the work sprints to 45 minutes, followed by 10-minute breaks. This adaptation allows a deeper focus on complex SEO tasks like keyword analysis and content optimization without the frequent interruptions that shorter intervals bring. To complement this, I integrated the concept of Biological Prime Time. Each team member tracks their energy levels over a few weeks to identify their peak productivity periods. We then schedule high-priority tasks during these prime times. For example, our content strategist, who is a morning person, tackles content creation in the early hours. Conversely, our night owl developer handles technical SEO updates in the afternoon. This alignment of tasks with natural energy peaks has significantly improved efficiency and job satisfaction.

I've customized the popular Pomodoro Technique to better suit my individual coaching style, particularly in enhancing focus and managing time effectively during sessions. Traditionally, the Pomodoro Technique involves 25-minute blocks of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. However, to adapt this method to coaching, I extended the work periods to 50 minutes to allow for deeper discussion and exploration of topics with clients, followed by a 10-minute break. This adjustment provides ample time to engage in meaningful conversation and reflection without overwhelming the client, maintaining a productive pace throughout the session. This custom approach has proven beneficial in keeping the sessions dynamic and preventing fatigue, both for myself and my clients. It aligns well with the natural rhythm of conversational ebbs and flows, ensuring that we can delve into complex issues effectively while still retaining the energy and attention needed for productive dialogue. The structured breaks also give both of us brief periods to digest information, gather thoughts, and prepare to transition to different topics, which enhances the overall quality and outcome of the coaching experience.

I customized the Pomodoro Technique to match my coaching method by altering the standard 25-minute work intervals to accommodate my clients’ different natural attention spans. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, period lengths are based on the client’s focus and how complex the task is. This keeps engagement levels high and ensures productive coaching sessions. Moreover, at the start of each session, I include discussions about setting goals to ensure that what they will be working on aligns with their personal and professional objectives, thus increasing its effectiveness.

Figure out if you actually have a productivity problem. If you do, pinpoint the culprit. Is it commitment issues, incompetence, or just plain procrastination? Tackle each issue with a strategy that fits—no one-size-fits-all nonsense here. Commitment issues? Dig into why. If it’s a question of ability, you might have the right person in the wrong seat, or maybe this person doesn't belong on your bus. And if procrastination is the game, find out what fires them up—sometimes, you need to light a fire under someone to get them moving. How do you harness their inner panic monster? The part of the brain that says, Oh Crap I need to get this done.