This is going to sound completely bananas…

… But popular “discipline” may be destroying your productivity.

If you’re rigidly sticking to unnecessary “success habits”... and piling too much on your plate…

You’re probably falling victim to what Harvard Business Review calls “The Busyness Paradox”.

What’s that mean and why is it important?

When we’re busy and feel like time is scarce, our attention and ability to focus narrows.

A study conducted by Harvard and Princeton Universities reveals that we lose about 13 IQ points in this state.

The result?

We’re only able to concentrate on the most immediate, and often low value, tasks right in front of us.

So… after running around putting out fires all day, racing to meetings, and constantly checking email…

By the time 5 or 6PM rolls around, you might realize you haven’t really accomplished much.

Most people’s answer is to just work even harder.

But before you waste your life away working every precious evening and weekend… 

I’ve got a better solution for you to try:

Stop making your bed in the morning!

I’m only half joking…

You see, I, Craig Ballantyne — the “World’s Most Disciplined Man”, stopped making my bed years ago.

Why would I do such a thing?

It was slowing down my Farm Boy Morning Routine, whereby I get up and move as quickly as possible into my most important work for the day.

Making my bed each morning contributes nothing to my goals, and was actually holding me back from them (even if only slightly). 

Now listen, I’m not actually saying you need to stop making your bed…

I’m giving you an extreme (yet true) example to make a point.

What I AM suggesting is you simply re-evaluate your habits…

Closely examine what you’re doing and why.

If you’re holding onto a supposed “success habit” that takes up your time but adds nothing to your life or goals…

You’re better off without it.

Here’s 2 more potential time wasters often disguised as productive activities:

- Exercising First Thing in the Morning

Working out is a non-negotiable habit for your health and wellbeing.

However, an epic Crossfit WOD or running 10k shouldn’t happen before your top priority of the day.

Unless it IS your top priority.

If you’re not actively training or competing for something…

That time and energy could be better focused on writing a sales script… creating new products… or building winning systems in your business.  

Whatever the #1 thing is to make progress on YOUR goals. Always tackle that first. 

Exercise can happen later.

- Maintaining “Inbox Zero”

Hey, I like the feel of a nice empty inbox as much as the next guy — but this should not be a priority.

When you’re constantly checking and replying to email…

You automatically slip into “reactive mode”.

Responding to email notifications breaks your focus and reduces the quality of your work.

“Task switching” like this is more serious than you think...

A study conducted by Microsoft and the University of Illinois revealed that more than 25% of the time we switch tasks…

... it can take up to 2 hours to get back to what we had been doing!

Imagine all the time you’re losing by checking and clearing every email as it comes in.

Instead?

Deal with email in batches, at predetermined times in the day.

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I could keep going…

But I think you see my point.

True high performance discipline is about installing bumpers and boundaries in your daily life that make it “Effortless” to avoid distraction and achieve your goals.

It’s NOT about getting up insanely early… taking cold showers… or adding more things.

It’s about accomplishment. Not activity.

Too many people embark on a quest for mental toughness, and forget what they actually wanted to accomplish in the first place.

If you want to make discipline “Effortless” so you can upgrade your habits and achieve your biggest goals THIS year…

My team and I are offering a FREE training designed to help you do exactly that.

I’ll be sending you another email in a few days with all the details on this brand new training…

Including how to secure your seat at absolutely zero cost.

Keep your eyes peeled for the email…

Can’t wait to fill you in!

Success Loves Speed,

Craig