Tip: Advertise Action to Yourself

We live in a world of choices. When we buy, we have to make a choice between varieties, brands, and sizes. Similarly, when we work we have to decide what to focus on and how to use our time. While prioritization helps us focus, our minds still have the tendency to wander. We are most likely to focus on whatever catches our eye. Along the lines of "out of sight, out of mind" we learn that "right before our eyes, actions thrive."

It is no secret that design is a critical element of productivity. Design helps us organize thoughts and maintain a sense of order amidst creative chaos. However, design is also a valuable tool for managing (and controlling) our own attention spans. Design can help us advertise actions-to-be-taken, to ourselves.

When it comes to self-discipline, you are your own personal "Madison Avenue" marketing agency! You have some critical, time-intensive projects that require your energy and relentless focus. Your time is precious currency, and there are many other activities competing for your attention. How are you going to advertise the project - and its many action steps - to yourself?

When you have a project that is tracked with a beautiful chart or elegant sketchbook, you are more likely to focus on it. Just like billboards on the highway or commercials on television, the methods you use to organize action steps can make you more (or less) engaged by a project. The attention you give to various parts of your life is an emotional choice. Recognize the power of a personal productivity marketing strategy, then launch a few advertising campaigns!

Advertise Action To Yourself!

• Keep Variety: Colorful post-it notes have a huge following. However, when you use too many of one color, you will start tuning them out! Use different colors and materials to keep your advertising fresh. Behance has interviewed some Creatives that use "action walls" - literally creating little multi-colored billboards for the action steps associated with each project.
  
• Seek Quality: You are most likely to stay loyal to an organization system when you are attracted to it! The little details (the pens you use, the folders, the paper, the design) make a big difference.
  
• Be Bold: The Behance team has found that bold methods are the best methods when it comes to featuring action steps. Think big signs and screen savers with project names, action areas, or energy maps!

This tip was written by Scott Belsky, Behance Team. Explore more Behance tips, and check out Behance's guest postings for small businesses trying to make ideas happen, hosted at American Express' OpenForum.