Want to be more productive? Ask this question.

I’m still working hard on finishing the first draft of my first book. #melwritesherfirstbook The last few days have been going great, specifically because I’ve dramatically changed up my mornings.

I’m a natural questioner and I usually have a thought in the back of my mind that says, “What’s working well for me right now?” 

Normally, I have a morning routine that includes exercise, meditating, journaling, showering, eating, and otherwise prepping for my day. It takes about 2 - 2.5 hours and then I’m at the computer ready to go. Usually, one of the answers to “what’s working,” is “my morning routine!”

However, I felt like maybe I was waited too long to get into writing each day and missing out on some of my best brain power.

I decided to switch things up and do my writing time before much of my usual morning routine. So far it’s working great!

I never would’ve considered this change if I wasn’t in the habit of asking myself these two questions:

What’s working well?

What derailing me?

And here are the important parts…

1. I have to accept that the answers are going to change over time as I change, as my life changes, as the season changes. 

2. In order to know what's working, I have to have a vision for Future Mel. I have to know where I'm going. I have to know what my goal is. Otherwise, how do I know if what I'm doing is working or not? (If you need help creating your vision for Future You, you can grab the FREE Becoming Future You journal.)

You might be tempted to just follow the advice of an expert in your field and assume they know what’s right for you. But YOU are the only expert on being you. (I taught a whole class on this; you can listen to the podcast episode or watch it on YouTube.)

You are the only one who can truly answer the questions about what’s working for you. Which means, the responsibility is on you to ask and answer the question.

In the Unlock Your 5-Star Future Facebook group (a perk of joining my DIY Coaching Program), we address this topic once a week for a specific area of our lives:

What’s working when it comes to your family? What’s not?

What’s working when it comes to maintaining your focus? What’s getting your way?

What’s helping you cultivate creativity? What’s destroying it?

What’s bringing you joy lately? What’s bringing you down?

What’s working when it comes to staying motivated? What’s degrading your drive?

What’s working when it comes to maintaining your health? What habits might be holding you back?

It’s eye-opening when you start diving into what’s working and what isn’t. It makes it so much easier to catch bad habits creeping in or realize it’s time to reassess your goals or discover that you’ve been so busy working, you’re missing quiet time with your partner. Once you know the area of your life that needs your attention, you’re able to focus on it with intention. 

THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE

Ask yourself what’s working and what isn’t when it comes to a specific area of your life. Maybe you want to start by focusing on your career or your health or your family. Then, set a reminder on your calendar to check in again next week. Sunday is a great day for reflection and this is the perfect question to journal about each week.

You’ve got this!

Love,

Mel

Your 5-Star Life Coach ⭐️