If you are working too much...
If you just can’t let go of doing it all...
If you keep saying the 5 deadly words: “I will do it myself”...
Then this email is for you.
Hi, my name is Craig Ballantyne, and I’m a recovering workaholic.
Today I want to share what's worked for me to end my addiction to overwork…
Because I know these tips can work for you too:
Step #1 – Public Accountability
When I told the world – via social media – that, “I’m shutting down my phone every night at 6pm PST to be with Michelle,” ... it left me with two choices:
a) Be a lying, hypocritical workaholic and break that pledge
b) Commit to it and be more focused during the day
So... ask your team, your clients, your family, your coach (!), etc. for hardcore accountability...
Ask someone to check on you each morning about how your nightly shutdown went...
And ask them to check on you mid-afternoon and ask, “Are you ready to be present at night?”
Step #2 – Identify Your Triggers
Then destroy your distractions and toss your temptations.
If checking your phone and email too much cause you to work an extra hour (or more) each day...
Cut back on that habit.
Use app blockers... or delete the tools from your phone after a certain point each day... and only re-install them in the morning.
Step #3 – Set Significant Consequences
If you don’t do something...
Then a reward must be removed...
Or a punishment must be in place.
Whichever motivates you better.
Use it to build momentum… and start stacking WINS.
Step #4 – Block Your Non-Negotiable Non-Work Time
Plan your Perfect Week...
Putting workouts, family time, self-care, etc. on the calendar.
These are set-in-stone non-negotiable actions.
Put those on the calendar first and build everything around it.
And if you begin to break these commitments... see Step #3.
Step #5 – Change Your Identity
This is the greatest lesson ever learned from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.
Planning, consequences, and accountability only go so far...
It’s only when you change your Core Identity – to where you no longer seeing yourself as a workaholic whose worth in life is related to the amount you work or money you make – that you will finally be able to step back from being that way.
This takes work.
It requires changing your self-limiting beliefs.
But it is worth it.
****
When you follow these 5 simple steps you’ll immediately boost your productivity and slash your stress levels.
Which is why the weird, counterintuitive result of working LESS (provided you do it this way)…
…is that you may even cut your workload in half.
Success Loves Speed,
Craig
PS - If you want to get more done during NORMAL work hours...
...So that you can stick to your work cutoffs while remaining ultra productive...
Tune in tomorrow at 3pm ET for Coach Daniel Woodrum's FREE Live Training on:
How to Manage Your Never Ending To-Do List.
Just keep an eye on your inbox tomorrow morning, when I'll send the registration link for the call.