It’s Monday, it’s officially summer, and we’d probably all rather be on a boat, mountain or island right about now.
But as I sit here on my porch, I know that for most of us, focus is a must. So let’s kick off yet another edition of Monday Motivation to give ourselves the kick in the pants we need to get our stuff done so that we have the time later to play to our heart’s content.
So how does Monday Motivation help you with your Productivity?
It’s a process of public accountability, rewards and consequences. It’s simple, yes, but quite effective. 
Let us know what is on your To Do list – the stuff that you need that little extra push to get done. Put it in a comment or on your own blog. Then let us know what will motivate you to cross it all off as completed – will a reward motivate you to action? Or will a little leverage – self-imposed consequences – be the kick in the pants you need to say you did everything you said you would do?
Here’s my list:
- Dig out of 218 emails
- Call potential new social media client
- 1.5 more hours on blog posts
- 2 hours on mom-marketing research
- Meditate
If I don’t get my stuff done by the time I go to bed tonight, I will spend this weekend painting my barn instead of going boating (o.m.g.)!
So, what are you going to get done today?!
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Sparkplugging Founder Wendy Piersall is dang passionate about helping people start & grow a business while maintaining life balance (somehow). 
Easton Ellsworth is owner of 
I have a list of things that I need to get done – write five articles, edit a document, make a very important telephone call. Those things I’ve gotten done. And, since I don’t have a blog, I couldn’t post them there.
I sure hope you get your list done, I think painting a barn would be terrible compared to an afternoon boating.
Wendy, since you’re in Chicago, you might attend: http://www.m2moms.com/
My goals for the week are:
Continue to talk to at least 3 people a day about Avon.
Continue working on learning Corel Draw,Dreamweaver8 and Flashmx.
Looking into airfare and hotel prices so I come up for The Taste of Chicago.
Sit down and start working on pay spec’s for my design business.
Dive into CMS400.NET demo as soon as Ektron sends me their demo link.
This week:
1–Clear out food in fridge in preparation for big co-op order in on Friday.
2–Meet with producers about upcoming show I’m promoting
3–craigslist ads for favorite client
4–Cut feverfew & lavender for bouquets in house
5–Remember that PMS/hormones happen, and treat self and others with love and compassion
Thanks for the opportunity to clarify what’s important!
Hi,
218 emails? When will it ever end?
I’m finally adding learning HTML on my to-do list this week. I’d like to accomplish about 30 minutes of reading or practical HTML activities each day just to get started.
Hi Wendy,
Just thought I’d pop in to introduce myself. I’m looking forward to meeting you at BlogHer ‘07 in Chicago!
Great topic — I’ve internalized some of my 7 Habits training and still begin my week with the weekly compass. It helps me identify my top priorities according to the roles in my life. This week it includes responses to 3 RFP’s!
Take care, Colette
InStep Consulting LLC – Discover Your Competent Advantage (TM)
Hey Wendy,
Great post. Been reading you for a bit, but finally jumping in.
I run a few companies, teach yoga, write, blog, speak, am a dad and husband and…a recovering hedge-fund lawyer (10-years happy!).
I actually recently noticed that I average close to 30 e-mails received per 90-minute yoga class taught – yikers!
A few quick thoughts on the list:
One, a wildly busy author friend of mine, Karen Salmansohn, once told me “don’t create a to do list, create a to-be list and then prioritize the to-do’s around that. I’ve found, when I do that, a lot of the to-do’s tend to drop away.
Two, I noticed meditation was the last item on your list. I wonder what might happen to all the other items if you made it the first, rather than last thing you do every day. There’s a fair bit of research that shows that, over time, meditation can pretty dramatically enhance problem solving abilities, creativity, perception, productivity and just make things seem to go a lot easier. I actually teach meditation to execs who’ve always believed they couldn’t meditate to save their lives and, done right, the results can be pretty staggering.
So, that’s my two cents. Thanks so much for your wonderful post and blog!
Much peace,
Jonathan
Don’t know what I did Monday, but I’m thinking about Thursday! (Last work day this week.)
1. Get testing done with users.
2. Blog about getting into Flickr groups.
3. Finish another story in the book I’m working through.
4. Take my 365 picture.
If I don’t get done, well, there’s always Friday. #1 is totally up to the users.