Why Last Month Was The Most Productive Of My Life
Glen / 
65 Comments / 
July 6th, 2009 / 
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A few months ago, I realised my productivity had taken a turn for the worst. I had just came out of a long stint which involved working 7 days per week in order to stabilise my online income and once my goal was achieved, things started to go downhill. I think my lack of action came as some sort of rebound affect to the immensely long hours I had previously been putting in.
My turning point came one evening when I set myself a very simple task. My task was to note down every single productive action I had taken that that day. Of course, it didn’t include eating food and chatting to friends, but things like writing blog posts, sending emails, and that kind of thing.
Needless to say, when I wrote down my productive actions for the day in question, I was shocked. My list was absolutely tiny. A days’ work of productive tasks could probably have been completed in the space of an hour or 2, at the most.
After this point, it became natural for me to start putting the work in. My procrastination decreased, my output increased, and my to-do-list was getting completed very quickly every day. Quite simply, this very simple task of recording what I had done made me angry at the amount of work I was putting in and then things quickly changed course.
For a few weeks, everything was great.
I was starting to put in hours similar to the time when I was fighting to keep my online income stable and making sure that I didn’t have to look for another job.
Then, quite gradually, my work rate started decreasing again. I was spending more time chatting to friends online, browsing Facebook, watching TV, and other rarely useful activities. It was probably this slump which prompted me to try out my 7 day self-discipline challenge.
My self-discipline challenge resulted in renewed productivity but, like before, my output levels started to dip. Then I remembered the task that had worked so well for me previously. It probably hadn’t clicked earlier because, at the time, it was so natural for me to get back into the swing of things that I didn’t think to credit it to my success.
Therefore, I took things a step further.
30 Days of Activity Journaling
For the month of June (last month), I decided to take this simple action that had worked so well and step it up a gear. Instead of just recording down my actions for one day, I simply recorded all of my activities, every day, for an entire month. My journaling wasn’t about noting down my emotions, project ideas or anything else. It was simply there to be used as a log for all of the productive tasks I had done in that day.
The service I used for this journaling was Penzu, my new favourite online notepad. It is very basic and is simply for jotting down text that doesn’t need formatting, hyperlinks or anything like that. It certainly won’t be for everyone, but for this process, it was perfect.
To cut a long month short, June was without question, the most productive month of my life.
In the space of a month I managed to write, and launch, a 69 page eBook (Blogging Blueprint), write 16 blog posts, perform countless tasks I had been putting off, and put some much needed time into my affiliate sites which had lost their rankings in Google (which, thankfully, are now back).
You would expect the kind of wording I have used, “the most productive month of my life,” to result in some kind of product promotion. But, really, I have absolutely nothing to promote. I know this probably sounds too simple to believe, but the results speak for themselves.
If you head over to Google Blog Search and type my name, you will find countless places I’ve been featured for guest posts, interviews and so on. There’s also nowhere to hide as far as my productivity goes for this blog. My writing is available for everyone to see.
What Do You Have to Lose?
I have spent the end of June and the first few day of July in a new city which meant that my schedule changed quite a bit and I wasn’t able to keep up this process. However, now that I’m back ‘home,’ I have started it again immediately. Based on the results of June, I would be stupid not to.
The reason I believe this works so well is because you probably won’t like what you see. If you want to feel like you’ve had a productive day but without looking at the cold hard facts, then this is not for you. I, on the other hand, generally make more money by putting in more time, so like to stay active.
To follow along, your job is simple. Simply write down a log somewhere, whether online or off, that lists all the productive activities you have done in one day. If you’re anything like me, you’ll see a list of actions or tasks, but know that the list is far shorter than it could be.
This isn’t about turning your life into some robotic, workaholic schedule. It’s simply about utilising the time that you do dedicate to your working efforts and making the most of them. Once you’ve done it for one day, see if you can commit to trying this out for an entire month. If you can give this a go, I’m very positive you’ll see great results.
What do you have to lose?
If you enjoyed this post, I would appreciate if you share it on Twitter, Facebook or Delicious!
I have just noticed that this is blog post number 100. Quite fitting for the topic in hand. Thanks to all of you for your support, I honestly never imagined hitting this number (although I’m aware some of you are well past this).
It has been a great journey and here’s to the next 100. Thanks for your support!
Life is good
Hey Glen,
I’m excited by the amount of work you did in June. Some months ago I tried to keep a log of every activity I did. The difference with your is that I recorded just everything, including going to the bathroom. That was an extreme method and I did improve my productivity, but your method seems easier to follow so I;m going to try it out.
Even bathroom visits? Wow
I definitely just recommend recording tasks you would class as ‘work’ or ‘productive,’ not general ones like eating (unless, of course, you were looking to improve your diet).
Let me know how it goes Oscar!
Congratulations on your 100th post and your most productive month.
That said, you’re like my personal truth mirror Glen. This is so unfair! Stop reminding me that I need to improve!
having said that, I can completely relate to the dip in productivity. Once I’d met my initial goals of being a freelance writer, I started getting careless with my productivity.
Something that I still haven’t completely controlled yet. I’m tempted to try your way.
Thank you Samar!
Haha, ultimately it is just down to you if you want to take action. Give it a try, even if it is just for today and then let me know what you think
Have I ever let you down before?
You just might be my current favorite writer on the web. And I follow a lot of amazing bloggers.
I’m excited to see what you can do with another couple great months.
Hey Adam, I really appreciate that, especially coming from you!
I enjoyed reading about your current travels and hope to see more
This is not the post I needed to read now. I had been spending a blissful, delicious month of doing absolutely nothing productive. I can’t say I was enjoying it, but well, I wasn’t thinking about it. And when I did, I convinced myself that I was being as productive as circumstances would allow (lies, all lies!)
Guess who’s going to have to do something about the situation?
Thanks for sharing!
You had me worried at the start of this comment Puneet. Nice to see you weren’t saying what I thought you were
Again, don’t forget that this won’t be for everyone. Some people might be happy with doing the bear minimum. I did state that this is to help whenever you are in need of doing productive work though, so I think this will help you out.
You’re welcome, thanks for stopping by!
Hi, Glen! Congratulations on reaching your 100th post. In all fairness, you should clarify that it’s your 100th on THIS blog, because you’ve written for your other blog and a ton of guest posts. In my mind your productivity level has always been astounding.
As for your new method, I do believe accountability is the way to go when you are trying to create or break any habit. However, as you alluded to in your last comment, productivity isn’t for everyone ALL the time. The lulls, the breaks, the periods of downtime are also a vital part of the creative and productive process (as seen everywhere in Nature).
When it’s time to be productive, keep yourself accountable. When it’s time to rest and regroup, enjoy that process too.
Thanks Lisis!
Good point, yes that is 100 posts on this blog. I think I have written around 500 in my ‘blogging career.’
Relaxation and time outs can definitely help with output as well, I agree. Just don’t use them as an excuse to be lazy.
- Hon
Congrats on your 100th post Glen. I will also document my work and see if I’m really being productive. I have been doing the 48/12 routine whenever I do some work. I think both of them will make for a great combo. Penzu looks great! Makes me want to write over and over!
Looking forward to your next 100. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Raymond!
I’m aware of the 48/12 idea and think it is an interesting concept. I first heard of it through Albert at Urban Monk. Personally, I just find it makes me think about the 12 minutes I’m about to enjoy and keep starting at the clock.
Yep, Penzu is awesome!
Funnily enough, I was planning to start something similar today. The difference is that instad of writing what you did in the first person, you write in the third person and with brutal honesty about waht you’ve done.
For example, when journalling about today I will unfortunately start with the following -
“Because he hadn’t taken the time last night to really decide to get up early and exercise, Peter allowed himself to just sleep in – again. Tossing and turning in bed, he again had no real intention to start exercising today and just told himself that he’d start in a few days, just as he had been doing the past few months. Peter was fooling himself, and he knew it.”
Wow, that was rather uncomfortable! But much better that than being comfortable with deceiving yourself that you’re not stuck in a rut. The more uncomfortable you are with something, the more likely you are to change it.
This variation on journalling came to my attention through Scott Abel, a leading trainer of bodybuilding champions, and a surprisingly effective life coach. His article can be found at http://scottabel.blogspot.com/2009/06/changing-your-story-you-know-every.html.
Glen, thanks for reinforcing the value of this highly effective exercise!
Hey Peter!
Thanks for sharing that, very interesting. I have never heard of this approach before but it does sound like it would have a great effect.
WOOHOO for your 100th post and also for all of that wonderful productivity!
I have to say that the last few months have been some of the most productive months of my life as well. In having a blog, I’m forced (in a good way) to write a lot and, between having two blogs and guest posts, etc., I’ve done a LOT of writing since earlier this year, which has been so great for me. I think I need to take a page from your book and do some more of the active journaling stuff. Seems like a great idea!
Thanks Dani, I appreciate your support
I’ve been increasing my levels of production in terms of online work lately as well. And I’ve been seeing great results. Thanks for the motivation here!
Actually I’m thinking about something like it for a long time. If you track what you do, you want to improve what you do, because you want to be satisfied with yourself. You won’t be happy with a D, so why would you be happy if you haven’t anything done that day, you only have to know.
This makes me want to be productive, this post! I’m going to start immediatly with cleaning out my room, thanks Glen! I’m going to make a wptdt.txt file. ‘What productive thing done today’
Great post!
Stefan
I might have to try this.
I currently have a lot of work to get done recently, and now have 3 niche sites on the go, currently none of them are bringing in any income and I’m putting this down to my productivity.
I have 2 of my sites on page 1 of google for the main keyphrases now but since that I haven’t put much work into them and I guess that’s why I am not making the income.
But to get to the point, this post has made me realise that I actually don’t do a lot, ok, so I logon to my PC first thing in the morning, ready to take the day and get some work done, but I have realised now that I procrastinate SO much, much more than I originally thought.
So thanks for this post, I’m going to “attempt” to take action and try stop my stupid procrastination habbits and actually get something done.
Howie.
As a test, don’t even ‘try’ to do anything differently, just record your productive actions.
See what happens naturally.
Heyyyy!!!
So interesting that you wrote this because I started doing exactly this about a week ago.
Bought a paperback journal and write down what I do every day. Also I write my ideas for blog posts and online projects as soon as I get them because it is not the first time Ill have an awesome idea and forget about it.
Great that you’re making such good progress.
Paying for flight to amsterdam tomorow:)
Amsterdam baby!!!!
Diggy
Ah man, that $hit makes me smile.
Please book it, I want a date in stone. Then we’re gonna have to look for the pimpest flat available for glory times
you want a date in stones?! lol. dude. all the chicks in stones have no front teeth. you def don’t want a date in stones.
Taaaakkkkeeee tttthhhhaaaattt.
lollercopterskates-anade
Hey Glen
) …will use your idea of writing it down to to really see the gaps too starting today!
With getting ready to start my blog etc as well as other things in my life I have been starting to realise I need to get my day WAY more organised if I want to achieve what I plan to..without writing it down I have started to notice just how ‘busy’ I can be, without producing actual results (especially since discovering Twitter!
Thanks for another great post.
jen
Hey Jen, just found out you went to Newcastle college, that’s where I live!
Blogging can definitely be a time hog, but it sounds like you have the right plans in place.
Good luck
I am trying to stay away from Television
It’s really useless
Usually I sit for more than 4 hours in front of TV
now , after i read one articles from this blog
I am now still watching TV………
a pity isn’t it ……..
However i just watch news… and maximum 15 minutes a day……
I am really glad … this is happened
Hey Glen!
I did my course via distance learning, so didn’t get to Newcastle unfortunatly – I hear its a great city!
Yes, you’re right I have some plans in place and am really enjoying the whole blogging world so it’s really fun and not hard work .. but I think the productivity side of things will be a great one to tackle!
Cheers!
Congrats on #100 Glen! That’s awesome!!!!
I started a journal of my online blog/business work a couple weeks ago… just like you talk about. I have different sections for actions taken, materials read, new terms learned, and things I need to figure out. I haven’t been keeping up on it as much as I would like, but you post has motivated me!! I started it primarily to remember what I have done, and keep track in order to be able to reflect and see exactly when I did what. I like the online journaling idea… I’ll have to check out that site!
Great idea!
It reminds me of food journaling, where you aren’t getting the results you want, but after taking a look at the big picture you are much more able to turn things around (partially through shaming yourself and partially by making the solution more apparent).
I’ll have to try this soon..I’m thinking in August. I’ll let you know how it goes (and likely write a blog about it, too)!
Hey congrats, great post. You have me inspired and motivated to do this right now. I’ve even printed out this article and tacked it next to my desk (probably looks a bit tragic to all that surround me in the open work spaces in the office! ha!)
Fingers and toes crossed I get a hit of productivity.
Looks like you are having a great effect on people.
Thanks again!
I work from a to do list daily, and also weekly. I also recently began creating more long range goals, as a result of recently coming to some clearer decisions of why I am blogging and what I want to accomplish with it. Still, there are those days when I feel I’ve frittered away some valuable time. I like your suggestions here, and plan to implement them in a way that works for me. As a meditation teacher, I need to spend a block of time daily meditating myself, and this is the time that has been suffering lately in the pursuit of “busyness”. Thank you.
I journal my emotions, but never tracked my productivity each day. I know that I can get more done and this looks like a great place to start.
When I am getting stuff done I’m a happier person. That’s what my site is about, so time to step up and give this idea a shot. Thanks!
Hi Glen,
I have noticed the increase in amount of guest post you had done for the month of June and I am really amazed by the number of it. Thanks for sharing this tip with us and I will try it for a month and see how whether it helps me in my productivity too.
Cheers,
Vincent
Great post Glen. What I like about your ideas here is that they are simple. I’ve been using productivity applications like Slife to see how much time I spend on each my activities. One thing I decided yesterday was to only check email twice a day because I realized it’s really pointless to just keep checking it. But I’m going to put your plan here into action.
And it’s a GREAT e-book too!
Thoroughly recommend the Blogging Blueprint. I’ve been blogging for a while now, but only recently begun to take it seriously. The Blueprint is a big help.
I like this idea very much. Staying on task is often an issue with me. I can see how this could help. Starting a food and exercise journal really helped me open my eyes and lose a lot of weight.
I just checked out Penzu, and I like it. I signed up.
Thanks.
I’ve known about a more complicated version of this, but it’s too tedious. I like your streamlined version and think it would work just as well or better! I’ll give it a go.
Tweeted, Stumbled and delicioused!
Hey Glen, gratz on 100th post!
I experimented with time logs for some time, writing down every activity (including bathroom time 
) , but only for a few days. It sounds crazy but it was doable and it gave me amazing clarity. I got from 30% productivity to 70% productivity in a short time. The thing is that this works well as a reality check that can be done from time to time to increase productivity but it does not implement a habit and eventually the productivity drops back to lower levels.
I already know that activity logging works well and maintains clarity and focus. Your easier approach might be what I just needed to create a habit and I am going to give this a try, starting now.
Hey Rudolf,
I have definitely found that this is now habitual for me. I don’t think about it, I just naturally record my daily log. I chalk that down to how simple the process actually is.
Let me know how it goes for you!
Thanks Glen, another great post. I’ve noticed that your posts have become much more practical – and I was wondering, just out of interest, how that’s affected the response you’ve been getting out of your blog’s community. From “you are enough” to “the most productive month of my life”.
I’m also using Penzu now, because of your recommendation in an ealier post, and it’s great for writing out posts (and especially guest posts if you have to include HTML).
One small thing: you said “first few day of July” in the first paragraph under “what do you have to lose”.
To be honest I don’t think about practical vs just doing, it just happens. One of my most popular posts ever (over 100 comments) was “How Much Are You Actually Living” – posted recently – which was more internal stuff rather than external practicality.
Right now, I would say practical stuff doesn’t go down as well, but I wouldn’t say it is as clear cut as that. Most posts contain some aspect of practicality.
Shot for the grammar check!
I much prefer your “practical” stuff (I would say ‘how much are you actually living’ is quite practical, as well as inspiring – best combination
. I feel like I’m getting more out of them. More stuff I want to write down and use.
It’s just my opinion, but I think pluginid has been evolving lately from ‘how to become present’ to here are some real tips you can use right now to start kicking ass, and see results.
actually, even though ‘how much are you actually living’ is along the lines of ‘how to become more present’, you speak about things in a way that’s just easier to relate to. You talk about how it’s actually affecting your life, how you’re planning a huge trip, and doing exciting things, and then you link it to the oscar winners not being present. It’s a beautiful way to write about it.
I’d take a combination of ‘realise you’re going to die’, ‘numbers based schedule’, your blogging and seo tips, expression not impression, and posts along those lines above most things I’ve read on the internet. like ever. If you recognize the thread that connects those ideas then you know what I mean.
Thanks Graeme, I appreciate your support man.
Definitely check out Sedona as well if you haven’t already. Although I’m sure Alison has got you hooked on that by now.
Awesome! That’s a lot done by any standard. And congrats on your 100th post! Your output is nothing short of amazing, Glen. And what’s even more amazing is that they’re all quality work! I suspect even Leo needs to take some advice from you.
Cheers~
Mark
I think you’ve just defined success:
Consistent focused action over an extended period of time.
Well done!
PS Got your letter the other day – brought a smile to my face the entire week.
Hey Alex, thanks for stopping by!
I’m glad it arrived in one piece
The part of me that hangs back from embracing your suggestion is the part that already knows how much time I waste. Did you notice yourself changing during the month or did you try not to evaluate until you were done?
Sorry, You answered that, the process changed you.
Hey Glen! Congrats on your 100th post and on your productivity boost for June. I noticed you had a real prolific roll of guest posting everywhere, so it’s definitely an amen on your level of productivity for last month! You inspire the rest of us to keep on pushing when we do fall into our own slumps or dips, so thank you!
Writing down everything you do is PRODUCTIVE???
Getting angry about what you DIDN’T accomplish instead of happy about what you DID is PRODUCTIVE? “For every minute you spend angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” ~ Emerson, arguably.
Glen, Glen, Glen… I feel compassion for your self-inflicted suffering.
I was Twittering when you came to my Attention for the first time. What I was doing was not productive but it produced a connection I value. Had I been focused on being “productive” I’d have missed you, perhaps forever.
“Be soft in your practice. Think of the method as a fine silvery stream, not a raging waterfall. Follow the stream, have faith in its course. It will go its own way, meandering here, trickling there. It will find the grooves, the cracks, the crevices. Just follow it. Never let it out of your sight. It will take you….” Sheng-yen.
Why would I be happy at doing an hours worth of work in a whole day?
Actually, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that it worked for me and might work for others.
If you’re happy 24/7, I will accept that quote
Please read the whole article. This isn’t about becoming robotic or a workaholic (hint: not using twitter), as stated, this is about being more productive in the time you do dedicate to productive activities.
On that note however, thanks for stopping by! I appreciate the comment
Glen, my point is that there are no unproductive activities. From every action issues karma: multiple effects, products, productivity.
Among the karma of any series of actions (“activity block”, ye schedulers might say) there may not be the products you Desired. But as Thomas Edison said,
“Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.”
Every single morning I remind myself that nothing is going to go as I planned it, and everything is going to turn out perfectly. And it does, always.
The effort I wasted trying to “stay on task” is handsomely rewarded now that I spend it paying full Attention to what the Universe sets before me and seizing opportunities instantly, as my pet snake seizes a mouse whose tail-tip barely flickers.
“Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them.” ~ Alan Watts.
While others chase futures that do not exist and therefore cannot be caught, I feast in the Abundance of the present instant, what is here and now.
I marked your last comment as spam so any future comments will be moderated. If you think insulting people means that your task turned out perfectly, then…awesome
I think the more obnoxious commenter you get, Glen, means the more successful you are becoming!
I’ve really noticed an influx of weird or angry people lately… and that must mean you’re doing something right!!
When I first started blogging about 4 years ago it would really get me down haha. I would be angry for a few days that people could say what they say.
Now…I don’t even think about it. It’s quite amusing to me really. I know your site is going to grow quickly Karen so I’m sure you will experience the same
Sadly, I know some great bloggers who stopped writing because people feel like they have to comment and force their opinions on others and they couldn’t handle it.
I like that line of thinking
I must say I agree with the spirit of what Barking Unicorn is saying here. Though I appreciate the wisdom of discipline, I know it doesn’t work for me to do the same tasks daily. I must leave room for creative flow as well. I’ll make a list and stick with it, but the days I do that best are the days I leave room for myself to just be and not be perfect. It’s amazing what I can create as a result.
That said, I see that everyone has a unique way of doing what they do. There is no one answer for everyone. I respect each one’s choice.
Compassion is not disrespectful of another’s suffering, but acknowledgment of its nobility.
Kindness is the giving of help to another without obligation or expectation of reward – not even the rewards of thanks or seeing one’s help put to use.
Of course Kris