The popular Lean Startup method features rapid scientific experimentation and short product development cycles, which allows great flexibility in pivoting direction. In the same vein, efficiency requires a flexible outlook, which means that you must adopt a learning mindset. To practice efficiency, you must take the original efficiency tools presented to you, and apply and tweak them as necessary. Successful implementation of efficiency requires constant innovation and experimentation.
How does one foster this learning mindset? Mindfulness. Mindfulness is the aggregate of physical, mental, and emotional stability. There are a variety of ways to exercise and expand these three areas of health, such as lifting weights for physical fitness, striving to internalize knowledge, and practicing meditation. But know that without the proper balance of these three domains, it will be impossible to perform to your full potential.
However, the ultimate weapon for pursuing efficiency is focus. The road to efficiency will be fraught with obstacles and setbacks. It’s far too easy to encounter a rough patch, find out that your efficiency tools aren’t working as well as anticipated, and completely abandon all hope and spiral into productivity oblivion. Focus is critically important in the pursuit of efficiency (and everything else for that matter). It takes willpower to adhere to these principles, to avoid falling back into the cycle of procrastination and laziness (somewhat) inherent in human nature. It takes a motivating goal, a driving passion to sustain efficiency. You need to ask yourself: Why? Why am I pursuing efficiency? Once you have your answer, focus on it and let it serve as the driving fire behind your intentions.
“Why do we fall, Bruce? So we can pick ourselves back up again.” — Batman Begins