6 Time Management Tips to Get More Done | Brian Tracy

Summary

In this video, Brian Tracy shares six effective time management tips to enhance productivity and curb procrastination. He advises starting with a detailed plan, being fully prepared for each task, initiating with small steps, using the 'salami slice' method for large tasks, and the 'Swiss cheese' method for tackling smaller tasks in spare moments. Tracy emphasizes visualizing the end goal to motivate action, suggesting that starting with the end in mind can lead to excellence in project completion.

Takeaways

• 📝 Start with the end in mind: Visualize your project completed and excellent in every respect.
• ✍️ List every step of the task: Break down the job into its constituent parts and write them down to find a good starting point.
• 🧳 Be fully prepared: Have all necessary materials on hand before starting a task to minimize interruptions.
• 🚀 Take one small step: Begin with a small part of the task to initiate momentum and overcome the initial resistance.
• 🍕 Salami slice method: Tackle large tasks by breaking them down into smaller, manageable pieces, similar to eating salami in slices.
• 🧀 Swiss cheese method: Work on small, achievable parts of the task whenever you have a few minutes, like punching holes in a block of cheese.
• ✅ Focus on emotional distress: Prioritize tasks that cause the most emotional distress or fear to break the logjam and free up mental energy.
• 📖 Write one page a day: Authors often start by writing one page a day, which can accumulate to a significant amount over time.
• 🎓 Utilize spare time: Many people complete books or degrees by using small pockets of time between other activities.
• 💡 Take action now: To change your future, start taking action immediately to manage your time effectively and stop procrastinating.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Brian Tracy's video?

The main theme of Brian Tracy's video is effective time management and overcoming procrastination through various task management strategies.

What is the first tip Brian Tracy suggests for effective task management?

The first tip is to list every step of the job or task in advance by writing down every detail, which helps in finding a good starting point and following through until completion.

Why is it important to be fully prepared before starting a task according to Brian Tracy?

Being fully prepared ensures that you have everything on hand and minimizes the need to get up and move, which serves as a powerful motivator for staying with the task until it is finished.

What does the 80/20 rule imply in the context of task management?

The 80/20 rule suggests that 20% of the task often accounts for 80% of its value, indicating that starting with a small part of the task can lead to completing the whole task.

What is the 'salami slice' method mentioned by Brian Tracy?

The 'salami slice' method involves breaking down a major task into smaller, manageable pieces and focusing on completing one piece at a time to build momentum and counteract procrastination.

How does the 'Swiss cheese' method help in time management?

The 'Swiss cheese' method involves treating a task like a block of cheese with many holes, focusing on small, five-minute parts of the job and completing them whenever possible, which can lead to significant progress over time.

What is the significance of starting with the end in mind as per Brian Tracy's advice?

Starting with the end in mind means envisioning the completed project as excellent in every respect, which can motivate and guide the steps needed to achieve that outcome.

How can dealing with the most emotionally distressing task first help in time management?

Dealing with the most emotionally distressing task first can break the logjam in work, freeing up mental and emotional energy to complete other tasks more effectively.

What is the action-oriented message Brian Tracy leaves his viewers with?

Brian Tracy encourages viewers to take action immediately to change their future, emphasizing the importance of immediate steps towards effective time management and overcoming procrastination.

What resource does Brian Tracy offer for further learning on time management?

Brian Tracy offers a free resource called 'Eat That Frog' transcription for those interested in learning more about time management tips.

How does Brian Tracy suggest engaging with the content for maximum benefit?

Brian Tracy suggests subscribing to his channel, liking the video, and sharing it with friends or anyone who might benefit from the information on time management and overcoming procrastination.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Time Management Tips for Effective Task Completion

Brian Tracy introduces six time management tips to enhance productivity and avoid procrastination. The first tip is to plan tasks meticulously by listing every step on paper, which helps in identifying a starting point and following through to completion. The second tip emphasizes the importance of being fully prepared for each task to maintain focus and motivation. The third tip suggests taking a small initial step, as 20% of the task often delivers 80% of its value, which can lead to task completion. The fourth tip, the 'salami slice' method, recommends breaking down a large task into smaller, manageable pieces to overcome inertia and procrastination. The fifth tip, the 'Swiss cheese' method, involves tackling small, five-minute tasks whenever possible, which can lead to significant progress over time. Lastly, addressing the task causing the most emotional distress can often unblock productivity. The video concludes with a call to action to start with the end in mind and to share personal strategies for motivation and overcoming procrastination.

Keywords

💡Time Management

Time management refers to the efficient organization and allocation of time to accomplish tasks, reduce stress, and increase productivity. In the video, Brian Tracy emphasizes the importance of time management by offering various strategies to help viewers get more done in less time. The concept is central to the video's theme, as it is the foundation upon which the tips for productivity are built.

💡Procrastination

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions, often leading to decreased productivity and increased stress. The video addresses this concept as a common obstacle to effective time management. Brian Tracy provides tips to overcome procrastination, such as breaking tasks into smaller parts and starting with small steps.

💡Task Management

Task management involves the organization and completion of tasks efficiently. The video script offers six task management tips to help viewers stop procrastinating and manage their work and personal life more effectively. Each tip is a method to enhance task management, such as listing every step of a job in advance or being fully prepared for each task.

💡80/20 Rule

The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, suggests that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. In the context of the video, Brian Tracy uses this rule to encourage taking one small step to start a task, as this initial 20% of effort can often lead to completing the entire task, accounting for 80% of its value.

💡Salami Slice Method

The Salami Slice Method is a technique where a large task is broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces. The video uses the analogy of eating a loaf of salami in slices to illustrate how tackling a small part of a task can build momentum and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed, thus helping to combat procrastination.

💡Swiss Cheese Method

The Swiss Cheese Method is a time management strategy where tasks are broken down into small, achievable parts that can be completed in short periods of time, similar to the holes in Swiss cheese. The video suggests using this method to 'punch holes' in a task, allowing for progress even during small windows of time, which can lead to significant completion over time.

💡Emotional Distress

Emotional distress refers to feelings of anxiety, stress, or unease that can hinder productivity. In the video, it is mentioned that dealing with tasks causing the greatest emotional distress can often 'break the logjam' and free up mental and emotional energy, allowing for more effective task completion.

💡Action

Action is the act of doing something rather than simply thinking or planning. The video emphasizes the importance of taking action as a key to overcoming procrastination and achieving goals. It encourages viewers to take action now, which is a recurring theme throughout the script.

💡End in Mind

The phrase 'start with the end in mind' is a principle from Stephen Covey's 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,' which encourages envisioning the desired outcome before beginning a task. The video uses this concept to inspire viewers to think about what their project would look like if it were completed excellently, thereby motivating them to start and complete their tasks.

💡Inertia

Inertia, in the context of the video, refers to the resistance to change or the tendency to remain in a state of inactivity. It is mentioned as a force that can be overcome by taking small steps or 'salami slices' of a task, which can build momentum and counteract the tendency to procrastinate.

Highlights

Start with the end in mind to envision a completed and excellent project.

Brian Tracy introduces six favorite task management tips to enhance productivity.

Listing every step of a task in advance can streamline the process.

Being fully prepared for each task minimizes interruptions and boosts focus.

The 80/20 rule suggests starting with the most valuable part of a task.

Confucius' quote about beginning a journey is used to encourage taking the first step.

The salami slice method advocates tackling a task in small, manageable pieces.

Discipline in completing small tasks can build momentum and overcome inertia.

The Swiss cheese method involves breaking tasks into five-minute chunks.

Focusing on small tasks can lead to significant achievements, like writing a book.

Authors often start by writing one page a day to complete their work incrementally.

Dealing with the most emotionally distressing task first can unblock productivity.

The video concludes with a call to action to change the future by taking action now.

Brian Tracy invites viewers to share their strategies for motivation and overcoming procrastination.

The video offers a free 'Eat That Frog' transcription for further time management tips.

Encouragement to subscribe, like, and share the video for others to benefit from the information.

Transcripts

start with the end in mind what would

your project look like if it were

completed and excellent in every

[Music]

respect hello I'm Brian Tracy and today

I want to tell you how to get more done

by managing your time effectively tons

of time management uh hacks and

strategies have been developed over the

years by hundreds of people to help you

get more done in less time here are six

of my favorite task management tips to

help you stop procrastinating in your

work and personal life think about which

one of these ideas could be most helpful

to you right now in your current

situation the first tip is you can get

more done by thinking on paper list

every step of the job or task in advance

break down the job into its constituent

Parts before you begin simply write down

every detail and thoroughly preparing in

advance will help you to find a good

starting point once you do that just

keep on following the steps that you've

laid out for yourself until the job is

complete second come fully prepared for

each task that you work on when you sit

down to work or begin a task make sure

that you have everything on hand so that

you won't have to get up and move until

the task is done being fully prepared is

a powerful motivator for staying with

the task until it is finished third take

one small step to get started there is

an 80/20 rule that says that 20% of the

task often accounts for 80% of the value

of that task this is probably what

confucious meant when he said that a

journey of a th leagues begins with a

single step once you've taken even one

small step to start the job you'll often

find yourself continuing on with the

task to completion fourth you can do

what I like to call the salami slice

method just as you would never try to

eat a whole loaf of salami at once don't

try to take on all of a job from the

start Sometimes the best way you to

complete a major task is to take a small

slice and complete just that piece just

as you would take a single slice of

salami and eat only that when you select

a small piece of the test ask and then

discipline yourself to do it and get it

over with it will often give you the

momentum you need to counter inertia and

stop procrastinating the fifth method to

help you manage your time is called the

Swiss cheese method just as a block of

Swiss cheese is full of holes you treat

your task like a block of cheese and you

punch holes in it select a five minute

part of the job and do only that don't

worry about the whole job

for example if you want to write an

article or a book break the task down

into small pieces that take an

identifiable amount of time to complete

and do just one small piece at a time

whenever you get a chance many authors

Begin by writing one page a day if you

are doing research you can read one

article per setting many uh people write

uh complete books on airplanes or

complete their college degrees with box

of time between their other activities

if you wrote one page a day for a year

you would have a 365 page book by the

end of the year the fact is you will be

more effective if you deal first with

whatever is causing you the greatest

emotional distress or fear often this

will break the Log Jam in your work and

free you up mentally and emotionally to

get things done before we wrap up I'd

like to leave you with a thought to

share with your friends and

followers here it is start with the end

in mind what would your project look

like if it were completed and excellent

in every respect now I'd love to hear

from you so my question today is what

can you do to help get motivated and

stop

procrastinating leave a comment below

and I'll be sure to follow up with you

thanks for watching and remember if you

want to change your future

take action and take action now to learn

more time management tips like these

click the button on the screen or in the

description to get my free eat that frog

transcription if you enjoyed the video

and feel it was valuable subscribe to my

channel like this video and share this

video with your friends or anyone else

who might benefit from this information