{"id":86583,"date":"2022-12-13T18:46:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-13T22:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=86583"},"modified":"2022-12-22T14:25:05","modified_gmt":"2022-12-22T18:25:05","slug":"organize-tomorrow-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/organize-tomorrow-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Organize Tomorrow Today: Book Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What is <em>Organize Tomorrow Today<\/em> about? What is the key message to take away from the book? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you often find yourself overwhelmed by your task list and obligations, <em>Organize Tomorrow Today<\/em> can help. You&#8217;ll learn how to increase your productivity by prioritizing, preparing for, and executing your tasks every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a brief overview of the key takeaways from <em>Organize Tomorrow Today: 8 Ways to Retrain Your Mind to Optimize Performance at Work and in Life.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-organize-tomorrow-today-8-ways-to-retrain-your-mind-to-optimize-performance-at-work-and-in-life\"><em>Organize Tomorrow Today: 8 Ways to Retrain Your Mind to Optimize Performance at Work and in Life<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In <em>Organize Tomorrow Today<\/em>, Matthew Rudy, authors Jason Selk and Tom Bartow teach you <strong>how to increase your productivity, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/making-the-most-of-your-time\/\">maximize your time<\/a>, and set yourself on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-be-rich-and-successful\/\">the path to success<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Combining backgrounds in athletics, psychology, and finance, Selk and Bartow have worked for decades as advisors and coaches in both the sports and business worlds. Their programs have helped countless athletes and business professionals improve their job performance and become some of the most successful members of their fields.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how to: &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Improve your life by building positive habits&nbsp;<\/li><li>Evaluate your daily progress<\/li><li>Communicate effectively with yourself and others&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In our commentary, we\u2019ll touch on other authors\u2019 advice for improving your productivity and examine some of the science behind Selk, Bartow, and Rudy\u2019s strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-increase-your-productivity\"><strong>Increase Your Productivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In this section, we\u2019ll discuss how Selk, Bartow, and Rudy argue that <strong>you can set yourself up for maximum productivity every day.<\/strong> You\u2019ll learn the authors\u2019 strategies for prioritizing tomorrow\u2019s most important tasks and preparing your mind for optimum performance. We\u2019ll also explore their advice for limiting the time you spend on unproductive and unnecessary tasks.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strategy-1-write-and-prioritize-your-to-do-lists-a-day-in-advance\"><strong>Strategy #1: Write and Prioritize Your To-Do Lists a Day in Advance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Selk, Bartow, and Rudy suggest you <strong>take time every day to write a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/gtd-to-do-list\/\">to-do list<\/a> of the tasks you need to accomplish the <em>next<\/em> day.<\/strong> Instead of writing a long list of <em>everything<\/em> you want to get done in the near future, limit tomorrow\u2019s to-do list to the <em>three most important<\/em> items you need to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Planning for and prioritizing your most important tasks a day in advance helps you start your day with clarity about where to place your efforts.<\/strong> This will build your confidence and reduce your anxiety about failing to get everything done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The authors note that what\u2019s most useful and important to get done will look different for everybody. Whatever the tasks are, they should give you forward momentum in your day, in your projects, and in your general <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/your-path-to-success\/\">path to success<\/a>. For example, these tasks could be setting up important meetings, making phone calls to clients, sending outreach emails, practicing for a big presentation, planning for an event, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-write-your-three-item-to-do-list\"><strong>How to Write Your Three-Item To-Do List<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When you write your three-item to-do list, the authors advise that you <strong>don\u2019t write down full projects\u2014choose individual tasks that can realistically be finished in a single workday.<\/strong> For example, a project might be planning a big work event, and a task involved in that project (and a potential item on your to-do list) could be sending out invitations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose one of the three tasks you wrote down and label it as the <em>most<\/em> important. This should be something that you <em>have<\/em> to do tomorrow no matter what. Before you do anything else the next day, complete the most important item on your three-item to-do list.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Selk, Bartow, and Rudy argue that <strong>choosing one item to start with makes you more likely to take action to complete it.<\/strong> Once you get started on the first task, your momentum will carry you forward, and it\u2019ll be easier to complete the other to-do list items.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Try to complete all three tasks early in the day.<\/strong> Once you finish the three priority tasks, you can spend the rest of your day completing any other tasks you want.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strategy-2-prepare-your-mind-for-success\"><strong>Strategy #2: Prepare Your Mind for Success<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Selk, Bartow, and Rudy also offer a technique to help you <em>mentally<\/em> prepare for the day or the task ahead. Just like it takes work to keep your physical body healthy, it takes time and effort to keep your mind healthy. The authors\u2019 exercise only takes about two minutes to complete, and it helps to foster a sense of peace and positivity as you move forward in your day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-1-take-a-calming-breath\">Step 1: Take a Calming Breath<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Start the mental preparation exercise with a calming breath. Inhale and exhale deeply, pausing for a couple of seconds between breathing in and breathing out. According to the authors, this improves your mental state because focused breathing reduces the effects of your body\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/stress-response-in-the-body\/\">stress response<\/a>. <strong>Since its stress response hinders your ability to think clearly, a calming breath will help clear your mind.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-2-repeat-positive-affirmations-about-who-you-want-to-be\">Step 2: Repeat Positive Affirmations About Who You Want to Be<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the authors, the next step is to <strong>repeat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/affirmation-and-visualization-7-habits\/\">affirmations<\/a> that define qualities you want to embody.<\/strong> Create your affirmations by focusing on the things you desire. Start with the phrase, \u201cI am\u2026,\u201d then name the positive qualities you want to embody. For example, you could say, \u201cI am kind to the people around me. I am a hard worker and full of creative ideas. I am present for my friends and family.\u201d By repeating the statements frequently, you help turn them into reality.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-3-visualize-the-previous-day-s-successes-and-tomorrow-s-tasks\">Step 3: Visualize the Previous Day\u2019s Successes and Tomorrow\u2019s Tasks<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>During this step of mental preparation, the authors suggest you start by picturing three moments of success from the day before. <strong>This will remind you of your ability to succeed and reinforce your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-positive-mindset\/\">positive mindset<\/a>.<\/strong> Then, picture three things you want to get done in the next 24 hours. Picture yourself performing the tasks successfully, and imagine how you want to feel. The more detailed your visualization is, the more helpful it\u2019ll be.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Visualization prepares your mind and body for an action before you really take it<\/strong>. It allows you to rehearse what you want to happen, meaning by the time you have to do the thing you visualized, you feel more prepared for potential challenges and surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-4-repeat-the-first-two-steps\">Step 4: Repeat the First Two Steps<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>To finish your mental preparation exercises, the authors suggest repeating the first two steps in reverse order. First, repeat the positive affirmations you came up with for Step 2. Then, finish by taking another calming breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strategy-3-limit-windows-of-time-spent-on-unproductive-tasks\"><strong>Strategy #3: Limit Windows of Time Spent On Unproductive Tasks<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The authors suggest <strong>establishing a maximum amount of unscheduled time you can use for unproductive tasks before you have to start working on your to-do list items.<\/strong> When you start to fill these smaller gaps in your day by completing productive tasks instead of wasting time, you\u2019ll see your overall productivity increase substantially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, say you give yourself a maximum of 10 minutes in between scheduled events to spend on unproductive tasks. If you get out of a meeting five minutes before the next item on your schedule, you can spend that time chatting with coworkers, scrolling on your phone, and so on because it\u2019s under your 10-minute threshold. However, if you get out of a meeting 15 minutes before the next item on your schedule, you have to spend that time working on your to-do list because it\u2019s over the threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strategy-4-shorten-tasks-and-eliminate-the-unnecessary\"><strong>Strategy #4: Shorten Tasks and Eliminate the Unnecessary<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, you can increase the amount of time you have to spend on important tasks by re-evaluating the items you already have in your schedule. The authors offer the following tips for doing this effectively:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Set a time limit for every activity on your calendar, and stick to it.<\/strong> Always begin on time, and move on from the activity when your time runs out. Your efficiency will naturally improve when you have a clear beginning and end time for each task because you\u2019ll work more quickly to ensure you finish your tasks within the set amount of time. By contrast, if a task has no set end time, you can procrastinate on it indefinitely because there\u2019s no rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Get rid of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/unnecessary-meetings\/\">unnecessary meetings<\/a>, and shorten the ones you have to keep.<\/strong> If the work you plan to do during a meeting could be completed in a more efficient way (for instance, via a short email thread), cancel the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-build-positive-habits\"><strong>Build Positive Habits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the last section, you learned Selk, Bartow, and Rudy\u2019s advice for increasing productivity by prioritizing your tasks, preparing your mind for success, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/make-the-most-of-your-time\/\">making the most of your time<\/a>. In this section, you\u2019ll learn how to spend some of the time you save thanks to your newfound productivity on creating and keeping positive habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-habits-work\"><strong>How Habits Work<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the authors, habits are patterns of behavior that become more or less established in your daily life depending on how often you engage in the behavior. The authors state that <strong>if you frequently reinforce a habit through your choices, it\u2019ll get stronger.<\/strong> If you engage in the behavior less frequently, the habit will get weaker.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a behavior feels good, you\u2019ll want to repeat it, and this repetition forms a habit. As time goes on, your brain incorporates the habit into your regular activity. You end up doing it without thinking, even if it doesn\u2019t ultimately serve you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, maybe you have a busy day at work, and you have to stay late at the office. You were going to cook when you got off work, but you\u2019re too tired, and you decide to get takeout on the way home. Once you have your food, you\u2019re happy\u2014it tastes good, involves little clean-up, and required minimal effort to acquire. As the weeks go on, you\u2019re still busy at work, and you find yourself getting takeout more and more. Once it turns into a habit, your brain expects the reward, and you\u2019re barely cooking at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-be-consistent-and-keep-going-when-it-s-hard\"><strong>Be Consistent and Keep Going When It\u2019s Hard<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The authors argue that although we often start habits without realizing it, <strong>we can also <\/strong><strong><em>consciously<\/em><\/strong><strong> start new habits to make positive changes in our lives.<\/strong> For example, if you want to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/advantages-of-learning-a-foreign-language\/\">learn another language<\/a> so you can travel to a new country, you may decide to practice the language for an hour every day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike the habits we fall into by accident, <strong>conscious habits take work to maintain.<\/strong> Even though the behavior will help you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-make-positive-changes-in-your-life\/\">make positive changes in your life<\/a>, you may not always feel like doing it. To keep a positive habit, the authors argue that you must push forward and maintain the behavior even when it becomes difficult.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The authors offer a few tips for increasing your chances of successfully starting and maintaining a healthy habit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-1-always-do-the-habitual-behavior-at-the-same-time-of-day\">Tip #1: Always Do the Habitual Behavior at the Same Time of Day<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Selk, Bartow, and Rudy suggest picking a time for your habitual behavior and forcing yourself to do it at that time every day. <strong>By designating time for your habit beforehand, you\u2019re removing the option to <em>not<\/em> engage in the behavior and avoiding the temptation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/to-procrastinate\/\">to procrastinate<\/a>.<\/strong> For example, if you want to start cooking dinner at home every evening, build cooking into your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-schedule-your-day-2\/\">daily schedule<\/a> and make sure you\u2019re in the kitchen at that time no matter what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-2-acknowledge-when-you-re-struggling\">Tip #2: Acknowledge When You\u2019re Struggling<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you ever feel like skipping your positive habit, the authors argue that you should acknowledge that feeling<\/strong>. To work through a struggle, you first have to recognize that it\u2019s happening. Additionally, every time you recognize a challenge and then <em>overcome<\/em> it, your success will trigger pride and positive momentum to tackle the next challenge that comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-3-look-ahead\">Tip #3: Look Ahead<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Selk, Bartow, and Rudy suggest <strong>imagining how your life will be different five years from now if you keep going with your new habit.<\/strong> Visualize this future in as much detail as possible. Then, imagine what your life will look like if you abandon your healthy habits. This will remind you why you want to make this change for yourself and what you\u2019ll miss out on if you don\u2019t.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-common-challenges-to-habit-maintenance\"><strong>Common Challenges to Habit Maintenance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your new habit is a part of your daily routine, you may feel like the hard part is over. However, the authors warn that you should still be aware of factors that might tempt you to break your habit. <strong>When you recognize your personal set of challenges to your good habits, you can better address them as they appear.<\/strong> Here are some common circumstances that lead people to break habits:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-circumstance-1-interruptions-to-your-routine\">Circumstance #1: Interruptions to Your Routine<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the authors, special circumstances like sickness and holidays can change your daily routine. When these circumstances interrupt your routine, you may pause your habitual behavior out of necessity. However,<strong> <\/strong>since habits require consistency to remain strong,<strong> a prolonged pause can make it difficult to return to the same pattern of behavior right away.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, let\u2019s say you normally practice a second language on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/best-microlearning-app\/\">learning app<\/a> every evening, but then you take a two-week-long vacation and don\u2019t practice at all during your time off. When you return to everyday life, you may find it difficult to get back into the habit of studying the language because the behavior is no longer automatic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-circumstance-2-slow-results\">Circumstance #2: Slow Results&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Another factor that may threaten your habit is discouragement. The authors assert that <strong>sometimes, the positive results you expect to see after starting a new habit won\u2019t be immediately apparent. <\/strong>Don\u2019t let this discourage you\u2014you\u2019re still succeeding just by making a positive change for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-circumstance-3-overconfidence\">Circumstance #3: Overconfidence<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, some people who experience a high <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/levels-of-success\/\">level of success<\/a> with their new habit think they can stop working as hard to maintain it and still achieve the same results. You may be able to get by with less effort for a little while, but the authors argue that in the long term, your reduced effort will undermine the positive effects of the changes you made. You\u2019ll see a decrease in your progress, and you\u2019ll have to go through the whole process of starting the habit again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When you feel the temptation to put in less effort, the authors advise you to do the opposite: Put in <em>more<\/em> effort toward your habit that day.<\/strong> You\u2019ll show yourself that you\u2019re committed and strong and that you can overcome challenges most people can\u2019t. This will motivate you to keep going. For example, if you normally take a daily walk, but you don\u2019t feel like doing it one morning, don\u2019t stay in bed\u2014add an extra mile to your route instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-keep-track-of-successes-and-areas-for-improvement\"><strong>Keep Track of Successes and Areas for Improvement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the previous section, you learned how to improve your life by starting and maintaining positive habits. In this section, we\u2019ll discuss Selk, Bartow, and Rudy\u2019s advice on how to keep track of these improvements, along with potential areas of needed growth. To do this effectively, you\u2019ll learn how to break free from a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/perfectionist-mindset\/\">perfectionist mindset<\/a> and constructively evaluate your progress every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-dangers-of-a-perfectionist-mindset\"><strong>The Dangers of a Perfectionist Mindset<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The authors assert that <strong>assessing what you\u2019re doing well and what you can improve on is an important step toward success<\/strong>. However, many people do this ineffectively because they assess themselves with a perfectionist mindset. They focus only on their shortcomings and ignore their accomplishments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-overcome-perfectionism\/\">combat perfectionism<\/a>, practice giving yourself credit when you deserve it.<\/strong> Don\u2019t just focus on your mistakes\u2014acknowledge the things you do well. Positive reinforcement is a much better motivator than negativity. Additionally, measure your success by the effort you put in, not by the results you achieve. If you do everything you can to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/steps-to-achieve-your-goals\/\">reach your goals<\/a>, that\u2019s an achievement in itself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strategy-keep-a-daily-record-of-your-progress\"><strong>Strategy: Keep a Daily Record of Your Progress<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you focus on what you\u2019re doing well as well as the ways you can improve, the authors recommend <strong>writing an evaluation of your progress every day.<\/strong> You can refer back to the successes you\u2019ve recorded whenever your confidence needs a little help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should center your evaluation around the daily tasks you\u2019ve completed:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> At the same time every day, write down three things you did well in the last 24 hours and one thing you can do better in the next 24 hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Write down one action you can take to make the improvement you identified in Step 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Give yourself a rating from one to 10 based on how well you completed the three prioritized tasks on your to-do list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-communicate-effectively-with-yourself-and-others\"><strong>Communicate Effectively With Yourself and Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the previous section, we explored the problematic nature of perfectionism and learned a strategy for daily self-evaluation. In this final section, you\u2019ll learn another of Selk, Bartow, and Rudy\u2019s strategies for breaking free from limiting mindsets: constructive self-communication. We\u2019ll also discuss how to effectively communicate with others, especially when presenting information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-eliminate-negativity-in-conversations-with-yourself\"><strong>Eliminate Negativity in Conversations With Yourself<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The authors assert that <strong>one of the biggest determiners of success is the way you speak to yourself. <\/strong>If you consistently talk to and about yourself with negativity, you\u2019ll <em>view<\/em> yourself negatively. A negative self-image will hamper your ability to perform successfully\u2014you can only perform up to the level you believe you can.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To begin combating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/stop-negative-self-talk\/\">negative self-talk<\/a>, first, recognize how you communicate with yourself.<\/strong> When you see negative thoughts about yourself for what they are, you can begin separating them from your self-image. As negative thoughts about yourself arise, stop them by setting a rule that you\u2019re not allowed to speak to yourself that way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, instead of focusing on the problems that might hinder your success, <strong>focus on the solutions you can use to improve things.<\/strong> When you center your thinking around problems, they become bigger in your mind, and you make decisions based on fear.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if there\u2019s something you don\u2019t understand at work, don\u2019t focus on thoughts like, \u201cI\u2019m not smart enough to do this,\u201d or \u201cI don\u2019t belong here.\u201d Instead, consider possible solutions, like finding resources you can use to research your question or thinking of people you can ask for help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-present-information-with-confidence\"><strong>Present Information With Confidence<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Your overall success in work and life will also depend on how well you communicate with others<\/strong>. According to the authors, being knowledgeable means nothing unless you\u2019re able to convey information effectively. Luckily, effective delivery of information is a skill you can practice and master. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The authors offer two main strategies you can use to improve your outward communication skills, particularly when giving presentations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strategy-1-limit-yourself-to-only-the-most-important-points\">Strategy #1: Limit Yourself to Only the Most Important Points<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When you\u2019re giving a presentation, don\u2019t overload your audience with excess information. <\/strong>According to the authors, we can only hold a limited number of ideas in our minds at any one time. Therefore, if you introduce too many points, your audience will likely forget or miss several of them. Additionally, the more ideas you present, the more you\u2019ll have to explain, possibly creating unnecessary confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To avoid delivering an overloaded presentation, write a concise script beforehand.<\/strong> Determine what your most important points are, and cut everything else. Here are some steps the authors recommend you take when producing a script:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Plan the first five minutes of your presentation. Then, read through your script and eliminate any information that isn\u2019t essential to making your main points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Plan the last five minutes of your presentation. Planning the end will help you figure out what steps you need to take to get there. As in Step 1, remove any unnecessary information from your script. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Map out the essential content of your presentation between the beginning and end, and make sure that each point leads to the conclusion you planned in Step 2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 4:<\/strong> Add anecdotes that support your points to create memorable connections for your audience and establish your credibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strategy-2-practice-your-presentation-with-intention\">Strategy #2: Practice Your Presentation With Intention<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Selk, Bartow, and Rudy, the most effective communicators are confident and poised, and <strong>you can build your confidence by practicing properly for presentations.<\/strong> We\u2019re usually more afraid of things when we feel unprepared for them, so the more you practice, the more confident you\u2019ll feel. To practice your delivery, the authors recommend rehearsing your presentation for three minutes, three times per day, for three days before you have to present.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>As you rehearse, practice what you want to say <em>and<\/em> how you want to say it.<\/strong> As you practice your delivery, try to speak slowly and add meaningful pauses. When you\u2019re giving a real presentation, this will make you seem more confident, and it\u2019ll give your audience a chance to process the information you give them. Practicing both content and delivery will put you in the right mindset for the real thing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Organize Tomorrow Today about? What is the key message to take away from the book? If you often find yourself overwhelmed by your task list and obligations, Organize Tomorrow Today can help. You&#8217;ll learn how to increase your productivity by prioritizing, preparing for, and executing your tasks every day. Below is a brief overview of the key takeaways from Organize Tomorrow Today: 8 Ways to Retrain Your Mind to Optimize Performance at Work and in Life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":83470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,43],"tags":[831],"class_list":["post-86583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-books","category-self-improvement","tag-organize-tomorrow-today","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Organize Tomorrow Today: Book Overview - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you often find yourself overwhelmed by your obligations, Organize Tomorrow Today can help. 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