The document provides 6 simple hacks for getting more done better. It discusses translating intention into action by knowing what to do, when to do it, and why it matters. Anyone can want it but the question is when will you do it. The hacks include making goals a priority, planning to get unstuck by defining done and the next action, seeing failures as opportunities, grinding things out with timeboxing and collaboration, taking a step back to observe without judgment, and reframing problems as opportunities to fuel action. The overall message is that intention must be followed by effective action.

1. 6 SIMPLE HACKS
FOR GETTING
MORE DONE
BETTER
©2015DFHobbs.com

2. It’s Not ABOUT INTENT
It’s ABOUT
TIME
Translating intention into effective action is about more than planning. It’s about knowing what
to do, how to do it, when to do it, and why it matters. And then actually doing it.
Everyone has the same 168 hours in a week. Most of those hours are already spoken for
based on your biological and relationships needs. How you use your remaining hours
determines whether you achieve what you want or simply end up getting what you get.
Wisely budgeting and investing time is a skill that can be taught but you will need to practice.
Anyone can want it. The question is: WHEN will you do it?
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ONE: MAKE YOUR GOALS A PRIORITY

3. TWO: PLAN TO GET UNSTUCK
WHAT IS MAKING YOU
MOST UNCOMFORTABLE
RIGHT NOW?
Generally what makes people most uncomfortable are the things that trigger internal identity
conflict or carry a risk of social rejection. The problem is it’s likely causing you to avoid,
suppress, or act out in ways to deflect your attention from your discomfort. This is sometimes
called procrastination. Here’s how to get comfortable again:
First: DEFINE DONE (Be clear about your desired outcome)
Second: DEFINE THE NEXT PHYSICAL ACTION you can take towards done. (Break down
your problems into simple next steps or if it’s a big problem breaking it into a set of smaller
problems and next steps)
Third: DO. (Doing is how you make the problem actually go away.)
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4. THREE: PLAN TO FAIL
THIS IS an Opportunity,
not a problem.
A CHALLENGE,
NOT A THREAT.
On the road to success suffering may be optional but struggle isn’t. The gifted have no advantage
over the awkward. Only effort teaches us how to do things right and how to not do things wrong.
Failure won’t be easy, but even partial accomplishments reduce the size of your problems, grow
your confidence, give you skills to move forward on other challenges, and inspire others to face
their obstacles. So: fail, experience rejection, make a mistake, lose the contest, invite the critique,
collect the data point, and on the way you’ll learn something.
Anything worth doing is worth doing wrong at least once.
(Great things are worth doing wrong lots of times.)
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5. FOUR: GRIND IT OUT
BUSY IS EASY
PRODUCTIVE
IS HARD
Spending your day addressing ONE uncomfortable problem is more useful, more
constructive, and harder to do, than a full day of “being busy”. Your focused attention is
the secret to moving closer to being done.
Hint 1: Don’t work on your problem alone. Inviting others to help you reframe your
problem into a set of smaller problems, collaborate on possible solutions, and provide
feedback, will make the problem much less overwhelming.
Hint 2: TimeBox your efforts. An hour for initial brainstorming, an hour for defining done,
an hour for collaboration, an hour for planning, an hour for resource budgeting, an hour
for asking for and processing feedback, an hour for doing the “next step”. (with an hour
for lunch) And before you know it you’ve gotten something done!
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6. FIVE: TAKE A STEP BACK
“It’s JUST
An IS”It’s easy to get caught up in emotions and in labeling your abilities or situation as “good” or
“bad”. When your mind’s thoughts and bodies feelings say you must DO SOMETHING even
though there’s nothing you can do - you’ll naturally be stressed, overwhelmed and anxious.
This is not a productive frame of mind.
The better you see a situation the better you can influence an outcome. Calm clear heads
prevail. The ability to PRACTICE DISCERNMENT WITOUT JUDGMENT only comes with
practice. Practice accepting inputs as you find them, detaching from expectations, seeing your
choices for what they are: as experiments that collect a “lesson learned.” Stress is the result of
trying to control that which is outside your control.
Sometimes the most constructive way to engage is to observe.
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7. REFRAME TO FUEL
actionNOT TO TAKE COMFORT
SIX: TAKE A STEP FORWARD
The labels we use for ourselves and others, that we attach to ideas, things, problems, and
opportunities either limits or expands how we think and what we do about them. As sense
making/storytelling creatures it’s natural for us to jump to conclusions; to “the answer.”
The secret to growth is defining our world through our potential to change it. Next time you
encounter a problem try reframing it as either a given that needs to be worked around or as
an opportunity to learn something new.
Sometimes something “is an is” and sometimes something “is a could be.”
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8. #1 It’s Not ABOUT INTENT It’s ABOUT TIME
Anyone can want it. When will you do it?
#2 WHAT IS MAKING YOU MOST UNCOMFORTABLE RIGHT NOW?
Define done, Define the next physical action, Do.
#3 THIS IS an Opportunity, not a problem.
A CHALLENGE, NOT A THREAT.
Anything worth doing is worth doing wrong at least once.
#4 BUSY IS EASY PRODUCTIVE IS HARD
Don’t work on your problem alone. Timebox your efforts.
#5 “IT’S JUST AN IS”
Sometimes the most constructive way to engage is to observe.
#6 REFRAME TO FUEL action NOT TO TAKE COMFORT
Sometimes something “is an is” and sometimes something “is a could be.”
SIX SIMPLE HACKS
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9. A Brand Strategist is a kind of coach/consultant helping individuals and organizations
resolve conflicting value choices, clarify mission, articulate message, strengthen
relationships, improve practices, build culture, and improve value. We integrate your
stories into the larger narrative of what you care about, who you care about, and why you
care; so that you can make better decisions, and take more effective action.
DF (Duane) Hobbs is an
independent brand strategist
specializing in value proposition.
Representative clients have
included Point B Consulting,
Seattle’s Lighthouse for the Blind,
Wine Brothers Publishing,
Optimer International, The
Student Conservation
Association, Plastic Sales &
Service, Infinite Technologies
Corp., and Safeco Insurance.
Prior to his current work Duane
was the founding partner and
Creative Strategist of the
marketing communications firm
Andrews/Hobbs Design from
1993 to 2010, and before that
owner/designer for the boutique
graphic design firm Duane
Hobbs & Visual Marketing.
For more information, insights
and inspiration connect with him
on Linkedin Twitter Pinterst G+
Coach & Mentor Team Alignment Workshops &
Seminars
Brand Strategy Value Proposition Opportunity
Development
Brand
Management
Marketing Plans Creative Strategy
HOW BRAND COACHING CAN HELP YOU
©2015DFHobbs.com

10. #1 It’s Not ABOUT INTENT It’s ABOUT TIME
Anyone can want it. When will you do it?
#2 WHAT IS MAKING YOU MOST UNCOMFORTABLE RIGHT NOW?
Define done, Define the next physical action, Do.
#3 THIS IS an Opportunity, not a problem.
A CHALLENGE, NOT A THREAT.
Anything worth doing is worth doing wrong at least once.
#4 BUSY IS EASY PRODUCTIVE IS HARD
Don’t work on your problem alone. Timebox your efforts.
#5 “IT’S JUST AN IS”
Sometimes the most constructive way to engage is to observe.
#6 REFRAME TO FUEL action NOT TO TAKE COMFORT
Sometimes something “is an is” and sometimes something “is a could be.”
SIX SIMPLE HACKS FOR GETTING MORE DONE BETTER
Freetosharewithattribution.DFHobbs.com