4 Ways to Overcome an Unproductive Day
Tips for leaders to overcome an unproductive day, and increase their productivity when it counts.
Today I haven’t reached any of my goals I set out to do. I haven’t made any money. I haven’t made any sales calls. I haven’t closed any new contracts. I’m finding it difficult to overcome this unproductive day. Frankly, my motivation is in the toilet. I am totally stuck. Why would someone want to pay me money? What value could I offer them that they couldn’t get a hundred other places?
I’ve heard it said that the person with ‘nothing to lose’ is the most dangerous because they are the most willing to risk.
The consequences associated with their risk, if things don’t go well, are relatively low. However, we find that those willing to step out and push all their chips on the table, are the ones who make the greatest impact for good.
I have spent the past year and a half with my head down, desperately trying to get my bearings, and keep my chin up. It has taken it’s toll. I have found now, getting back in the game, is pretty challenging because of this hiatus. It is hard to stay motivated when you have an unproductive day. Since I sell“authenticity” (and make a very good living doing so…) you might as well know where I’m coming from.
We disarm limiting beliefs when we take action that is directly opposed to those beliefs. One foot in front of the other, regardless of motivation; in fact don’t worry about motivation, just move!
Pivoting your business acumen into other verticals, is just like starting over when you launched your first business. I got on the phone with a friend of mine, a colleague in our industry and he had some critical challenges for me. He said, “write down the first things that come to your mind that you have to offer others.” As I struggled with that, he made it simple, “write down what you think people will pay your for…they’re not paying for what you do, they’re paying for ‘Travis &^$#@^% Waits’…” [yes, he used a profound expletive…]. That time I got it, and it helped get me moving.
Here’s what I believe you’ll pay me for:
- is the way I cut through the BS you’ve been telling yourself that limits your effectiveness
- the way I motivate you to believe in and value WHO you are that is not defined by WHAT you do
- how I help you harness your passion to live each day fulfilled in your business, your leadership, your family!
- how I help you clean out the garbage in the closet of your life that causes you shame and robs you of productive energy
- I know how to increase motivation to overcome an unproductive day.
I’ll help you get out of your own way because I’ve figured out how to do that for myself. I know how to overcome an unproductive day because I’ve slogged through them too. Oh yeah, I also have the academic degrees and professional experience that validate my acumen for knowing of what I speak. Head knowledge is one thing. But that knowledge is useless until it has been refined through the trial and storm of life to be galvanized.
That’s when we make the choice’s to own our truth.
I know how to succeed, and fail. You get the benefits of all my failures without the cost. I know leadership, both how to be a great leader, and how to be a bad leader. I’ve lived both sides of that coin in my family, business, ministry, and relationships.
We are either our own greatest ally, or our greatest adversary.
I assure you, there’s nothing you’re thinking about, that I haven’t considered. Plans “A,” “B,”, or “C” don’t matter when your biggest challenge is staring right back at you in the mirror. The status quo for leaders is to live isolated lives, trying to handle and balance everything on their own abilities. Your’e not good enough to do that! It’s a matter of time before you crack, or the glass house you’ve created cracks. I know this because you’re just as human as me and everybody else.
So what do you do when you’re in “a slump?”
What four things would you write down that capture the value you bring in your work to others?
Share your responses below in the comment’s and let’s all benefit from what we’ve learned that helps us overcome and become more productive:
…let’s change the game together.

If you’re tired of it being this way, and you want to make the impact you’re called to make in your start up, your church, your leadership, your practice… get in touch with me today