Establish An Action Environment, Part 6 (Get Things Done! #57)

The simple purpose of this podcast is to help you get things done every day so that you can accomplish something worthwhile with your life.

Proverbs 22:29 says: "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."

Our quote for today is from David O. McKay. He said: "Let us realize that: the privilege to work is a gift, the power to work is a blessing, the love of work is success!"

Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 6 of Step 9: "Establish An Action Environment."

In our last episode, we addressed how to deal with reading materials, which for many are a distraction in the fight against procrastination. Now, we look at the type of environment that we ought to set up for ourselves for maximum productivity.

Q: To what extent does the physical environment affect procrastination?

In many cases, it plays a key role; in others it's a minor factor. But it will always encourage or discourage action to some degree, so it must be considered.

Q: What environmental factors are most important in preventing procrastination?

Two of the most important considerations are (1) to have the necessary tools and materials at hand, and (2) to have them organized.

Q: Isn't that first point a truism? Obviously, one cannot do anything without the necessary tools. Why even mention anything so elementary.

Because lack of the proper tools or materials is a very common reason for procrastination. As Sherlock Holmes remarked one time, “The first rule, Watson, is never to overlook the obvious.”

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