Be hyper-productive and grow using my next action thinking method

When you start with a new project or a big feature you need to build, you think, where do I start? Don't worry. You are not the only one. I created a method to handle this(which the title is already giving away), but what if I said applying the same approach to this big thing called life will help you grow and move things to the next level? Let's dive into it.

To handle a big project or task, you need to think about the next action. What is the next most minor possible action I can complete? Let's say you have to build the front-end part of the user creation of an application:

Don't do this:

• I will implement a submission form.
• I will create a function that submits the data to the API 

Try doing this instead:

• I will create a feature branch.
• I will make a page.
• I will make an input field component 
• I will make a button component 
• I will make a submission form component
• I will check if there is an HTTP service to handle API calls
• Connect the HTTP call function to the button
• etc.

Do you see where I'm going with this? By doing it this way, you are forcing yourself to think everything through so that you don't skip anything. Another benefit is that features that seem very complex from the start become easy to understand when broken down like this.

How is this helping you in life?

Do this for all the critical pillars in your life and grow slowly and consistently. As mentioned earlier, think of the following smallest possible action that you can complete to contribute to that.

It forces you to follow and appreciate the process. There is no skipping steps.

How to apply next action thinking?

The system I'm using is a hybrid of Andy Frissella's power list and the GTD method. But this applies to any to-do or action list.

• Read more about the power list in this article: My six takeaways from Andy Frisella's power list.
• Read more about one of the GTD concepts in this article: Why does being busy give you a bad feeling?.

I advise you have a daily action list; this way, you facilitate creating small actions. You have a few critical pillars you focus on based on your goals and vision, and you make sure every pillar has at least one action per day that contributes to that. So every day, you think of the following action that contributes to that pillar.

For example:

Call dad today at 17:00

Is a lot more actionable than:

Family is important to me

Don't be fooled by the word: Small in small action thinking. Thinking of the next possible action can be extremely hard. Make sure you have an up-to-date vision noted down somewhere, and your mind is clear.

Read more about the importance of having a vision: The importance of having a vision.

Sit down and only think about the next possible action. Listen to your gut feeling and keep an eye out for the opportunities manifesting themselves around you. You will notice that those small actions you defined can be combined and stacked.

Conclusion

How to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. When you face a big task or have big goals in your life you want to achieve, break it down into the smallest next action possible. Completed a small action? Time to think about the next one. Here is to growth using consistency and taking action!