Motivation isn’t the issue. You need structure.

What is ‘motivation’?
 
Motivation is this process that guides you and pushes you to achieve your goals. It is the behavior that will lead you to produce the desired result. Motivation is an internal force, which can vary from day to day, according to the tasks to be accomplished, according to the degree of fatigue.
 
Motivation leads to actions, these actions lead to results, these results lead to a form of satisfaction. Motivation and procrastination are opposed. Procrastination is said to result from a lack of motivation.
 
What is ‘structure’?
 
Structure is the framework that promotes the accomplishment of a task or project. It is the set of tools that will help and lead to the desired result. These tools, like assistants, facilitate and support in order to make a task easier and more digestible. Structure is the framework that will allow greater productivity.
 
Why does structure matter?
 
Structure is what will make the big difference between two individuals motivated by the same goal. Motivation alone is not enough.
 
There is a reason why the most productive people use a daily to-do list, develop a routine, and digitize their schedule. Add organization and tools to manage time and task tracking, and the results will follow. The more automated we are, the more productive we become.
 
Combined with motivation, structure is of great importance because it will allow you to manage your time optimally. Better organization means reducing stress and unpleasant last minute surprises, saving time and freeing up time for priority projects or tasks.
 
Concretely, how to bring structure to your days?
 
A structured lifestyle means first of all selecting the right tools. The ones you feel comfortable with, that work for the type of tasks you want to accomplish on a daily basis.
 
It starts with testing tools over a few days/weeks before adopting them. A task management tool can work for one, and not for the other. It also means learning about and testing productivity techniques such as time blocking or the Pomodoro technique.
 
Structuring your days also means setting up a routine that reconciles your personal goals with your professional obligations. Want to read two books a week, hit the gym five times a week, and get your motorcycle license, while meeting your goals and growing at work, and maintaining a decent social life?
 
Undeniably, motivation will play a big role, but structured days will be essential. Without breaking the spontaneity, you will quickly realize that it is the organization and the assistant tools that will facilitate the management of time and the tracking of the steps taken, until reaching the final goal.
 
Examples of tools to help structure your days.
 
This is a non-exhaustive list, but here are the three most obvious structure tools that come to mind.
 
1. A calendar.
It’s essential! It is the tool where you bring together all the events of your day in one place: meetings, appointments, tasks, lunch breaks, workout sessions, organization of vacations, reminders, etc. Integrated with the KosmoTime app, this facilitates time blocking and daily task listing. The ‘Connected Accounts’ feature is a big plus, since it allows you to manage personal and professional activities in one place.
 
2. Google Drive.
Professional or personal documents, accessible at any time and easily shareable. I particularly appreciate the organization by folder for the speed of access, and Google Sheets is a must for me. Budget management, timeline, reports, data analysis, listing of all kinds, vacation roadmap … this is by far the one I use the most.
 
3. A routine.
Strictly speaking, it is not a tool, but I must mention it because routine provides an essential structure for my productivity. Routine is the power of repetition, and automatisms prove their worth. You can read more on this particular topic here.