The Now Habit at Work

1. Shift Your Mindset: Corrective Action Over Criticism

To be an effective manager of yourself and others replace “Why did you spill the milk?” with “How do we clean it up?”

Focus on solutions, not blame. Instead of dwelling on mistakes or failures, immediately shift your focus to finding solutions and taking corrective action. This approach minimizes emotional trauma and promotes a problem-solving mindset. For example, instead of criticizing yourself for missing a deadline, ask, "What can I do now to get back on track?"

Corrective action example. Imagine a project is going off the rails. Instead of asking "Why is this happening?" shift to "What steps can we take to mitigate the damage and get back on course?" This proactive approach fosters resilience and efficiency.

Effective self-management. By consistently directing your attention to what you can do now, you'll cultivate a sense of control and effectiveness. This shift in mindset is crucial for both personal productivity and effective leadership.

2. Embrace Ease: Reverse Effort for Breakthroughs

Struggling is a sign that you’re going in the wrong direction.

Counterintuitive approach. When faced with resistance or difficulty, resist the urge to push harder. Instead, consider that you may be going in the wrong direction and need to adjust your approach. This principle is known as the law of reverse effort.

Reverse effort example. If you're struggling to open a door, stop pushing and check if it's a pull door. Similarly, if a project is consistently meeting resistance, re-evaluate your strategy and look for a more aligned path.

Free yourself from struggle. By letting go of unnecessary struggle and changing direction, you can unlock new possibilities and achieve breakthroughs. This requires a willingness to challenge your assumptions and embrace counterintuitive solutions.

3. Task-Focus Triumphs Over Ego-Focus

One of the fastest ways to increase productivity is to shift in one breath, like a karate shout, to a task-oriented focus.

Minimize distractions. Categorize your thoughts into two boxes: Box #1 for ego-oriented thoughts (past, future, self-criticism) and Box #2 for task-oriented thoughts (what you know now, what you can do). Prioritize Box #2 to boost productivity.

Task-focus example. Instead of dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about future outcomes, focus on the immediate task at hand. Ask yourself, "What do I know now about this task?" and "What can I do right now to move forward?"

Reduce anxiety and depression. By shifting your focus from ego-oriented thoughts to task-oriented actions, you'll release pent-up energy and worries, leading to increased productivity and a reduction in feelings of depression and anxiety.

4. Choose to Start, Not "Have To" Finish

Shift from “I have to finish” to “I choose to start.”

Empowerment through choice. Replace the phrase "I have to" with "I choose to" to transform your attitude and behavior. "Have to" implies obligation and resistance, while "choose to" fosters a sense of control and motivation.

Choice example. Instead of saying, "I have to finish this report," say, "I choose to start working on this report for 30 minutes." This subtle shift in language can significantly impact your motivation and willingness to engage with the task.

Reduce inner conflict. By framing tasks as choices rather than obligations, you'll minimize inner conflict and resistance, freeing up energy and motivation to move forward.

5. Break Down Overwhelm: 15-Minute Power Starts

Shift from “finish an overwhelming 1,500-hour project” to “start for 15 minutes.”

Short bursts of focus. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by large projects, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Commit to working on a task for just 15-30 minutes to overcome inertia and build momentum.

15-minute power start example. If you're facing a daunting writing project, commit to writing for just 15 minutes. This short time frame competes better with distractions and allows you to use breaks as rewards.

Inoculation against procrastination. Short, focused work sessions can inoculate you against procrastination and help you develop a habit of consistent progress.

6. Unlock Subconscious Genius: Connect with Your Larger Brain

Shift from the arrogant, lonely struggle of your separated conscious mind to connect with your larger brain and subconscious genius.

Tap into intuition. Relax the struggle of your conscious mind and allow your subconscious to work on problems in the background. This can lead to creative solutions and innovative ideas.

Subconscious genius example. Give your subconscious mind a problem to solve before going to sleep. You may wake up with a fresh perspective or a breakthrough idea.

Delegate to your dreaming mind. By delegating tasks to your subconscious, you can double your productivity while reducing stress. This requires trusting your intuition and allowing your mind to wander.

7. Values-Driven Action: Override Default Reactions

Shift from your default or favorite reaction to choosing to act in a way that is congruent with your higher values and current goals.

Conscious choice over reaction. Recognize that you have the power to choose how you act, rather than simply reacting to situations. This requires awareness of your default reactions and a commitment to aligning your actions with your values and goals.

Values-driven action example. When faced with criticism, your default reaction might be to become defensive. Instead, choose to listen openly and seek to understand the other person's perspective.

Build self-leadership. By consistently choosing actions that align with your values, you'll build self-leadership credentials with your brain and body, taking greater control of the direction of your life.

8. Time Management: Start Immediately and Back-Time Deadlines

Start projects immediately.

Immediate action. Overcome procrastination by starting projects immediately, even if you only have a few minutes. This creates momentum and reduces anxiety.

Back-time deadlines. Plan projects by working backward from the deadline to create a realistic timeline with manageable steps. This prevents feeling overwhelmed and ensures timely completion.

Time management example. Instead of waiting until the last minute to prepare for a presentation, start by outlining the key points and creating a rough draft weeks in advance.

9. Communicate Effectively: Listen Actively and Respect Differences

Effective communication, on the other hand, aims to understand the other’s perspective, feelings, and message.

Active listening. Focus on understanding the other person's perspective by actively listening and paraphrasing their message. This builds trust and fosters collaboration.

Respect communication styles. Recognize that people have different communication styles and preferences. Adapt your communication to meet their needs and build stronger relationships.

Communication example. During a conflict, take the time to listen to the other person's point of view without interrupting or judging. Then, paraphrase their message to ensure you understand their perspective.

10. Ignite Motivation: Pain, Expectancy, and Ownership

Three Great Motivators: Pain, Expectancy, Ownership

Leverage motivators. Tap into the power of pain avoidance, positive expectancy, and ownership to ignite your motivation. Use these motivators to overcome inertia and achieve your goals.

Motivation example. Imagine the pain of not achieving your goals in five years. Then, visualize the positive expectancy of a successful future. Finally, take ownership of your life and commit to taking action.

Overcome lack of motivation. If you lack motivation, identify the underlying fears or negative experiences that are suppressing your natural drive. Then, use the three great motivators to break through these blocks.

11. Goal Setting: Realistic Paths to Achievement

The precondition for any human effort is a vision of success.

Realistic goals. Set realistic goals that are aligned with your current abilities and circumstances. Avoid setting idealistic goals that lead to frustration and failure.

Actionable steps. Break down your goals into actionable steps that you can take today. This creates momentum and makes your goals feel more achievable.

Goal setting example. Instead of setting a goal to lose 50 pounds in three months, set a goal to exercise for 30 minutes three times a week and eat a healthy diet.

Last updated: February 24, 2025