Zen to Done: Changing habits to be productive [How to be an Original]
About two weeks ago, Leo Babauta of Zen Habits released an e-book on his concept of Zen to Done. ZTD is a series of habit changes associated with productivity systems. Combined they form a productivity system by itself. At only $9.50 the 83 page book is a steal!
Productivity systems are a series of habit changes
Leo states in this e-book that adopting a productivity system is in fact a series of habit changes. Usually this is true, you have a couple of habits that are not compliant to sticking to the system, and you have those habits for many years already. The system won’t change them, you have to.
If you fail to change the habits, the system won’t work and you’ll get disappointed. Yet another system that looked promising and doesn’t deliver. Back to square 1. I should know, I’ve been there (and it sucks!).
One habit at a time
Leo advocates to change only one habit at a time, using habit changing techniques. Changing multiple habits at the same time can be done, but takes a lot of determination and energy. I tried it when I started with GTD, and subsequently did not manage to keep up with all the aspects of the system.
I have experienced first hand that this is the best way to change habits. So I did try to change all my habits at the same time when implementing GTD…and failed. After a month or two, I noticed that I picked up one habit of the system though: Keeping my inboxes empty. And I was getting pretty solid at this too! One habit changed, and other habits followed. One at a time.
Zen to Done: changing habits to be productive
Zen to Done, how is it different from GTD? Well GTD focuses mostly on the system for productivity and ZTD focuses more on the habits needed to sustain that system. There are more differences, but this is the most notable in my opinion.
Here are the 10 Zen to Done habits:
- Collect
- Process
- Plan
- Do
- Simple Trusted System
- Organize
- Review
- Simplify
- Routine
- Find your passion
And being the minimalist he is, Leo also provides a short version, ‘ZTD light’ if you will. This version consists of the first 4 habits only, combined with an ultra simple tool.
I like habit 10 a lot. If you have the time, you might want to focus on that habit first. Finding your passion is the best way to achieve authentic success. And if you know your passion, habit 8 gets easier to do.
Am I sticking to Zen to Done?
I’m working on getting more productive for quite some time now. And focusing on what it is that makes you happy, that gives you fulfillment and what brings you authentic success is what this blog is all about. Reading the e-book reminded me of some habits that I have to adopt yet.
Some of the habits I already have to an extent that satisfies me (for now anyway). They are: Collect, Process, Do (well most of the time), Review, Simplify and Finding your passion. The other habits need work, and there are many guidelines, tips and tools to make any of them work. The next one I’m taking up is Plan.
How to get the e-book
Even though you can find a lot of the material on ZTD on Zen Habits, the e-book Zen to Done adds powerful concepts to complete the system. Having it all in an e-book, in a simple and pleasant design, serves as a great reference. It will only cost you $9.50. I’m an affiliate so if you buy the e-book through my links, you’ll leave me some change as well.
Original post here: Lodewijkvdb
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