Introduction by Ryan J. Rhoades

As much as I like getting stuff done, at the end of the day if something isn’t fun, I don’t like to do it and often have a heck of a time getting started just like you do.

Over the years, I have found that there are methods and techniques for being productive that are actually quite fun once you get the hang of them.

So why write another book about time management/productivity/etc.?

Well, for one, after spending years reading books on running a business, leadership, and things of that sort, I kept finding myself increasingly frustrated at how seriously everyone seemed to take themselves.

It felt like there was this prevailing mentality when writing or talking about anything even remotely business-y or “self-help” related, that it has to be insanely serious.

Most of the books I came across had a huge focus on facts, figures, data, and technique as opposed to helping people change the way they think about the way they’re going about their everyday lives.

More than that, I found that there were a lot of books where the “successful” authors talked extensively of the amazing successes that they’ve had, but very rarely actually shared the HOW of how they got there.

Lany and I decided to put together this book in an effort to show you that you really can be more productive, stop wasting your time doing frivolous things that don’t make you happy, and even make money in the process…

But more than that, we wanted to do this our way.

We wanted to present you with material that was practical, fun, occasionally humorous, and create something that would become a resource you would be happy to share with your friends and family as you all work together building the life that you want.

We didn’t go through any official publishers to create what you’re now reading. We didn’t hire ghost writers to write our book for us.

We didn’t pay someone to compile things we’ve said or done into a manuscript and then take all the credit for writing the book.

We worked together remotely from different states using various new technologies (which we will discuss later in the book) in order to create what you now have in front of you.

We live in an age when the number of gatekeepers in the publishing world and obstacles to releasing your own products and services continues to drop to zero.

The opportunities that are available to you this very moment are ones that have only become an option within the last several years because of advances in technology and innovators around the world.

There’s something almost magical about holding something that you’ve created…whether that’s a book, a piece of artwork, a screenplay, or wearing a t-shirt that you’ve designed yourself.

It’s an addictive feeling. For me, there’s nothing like it in the world. But it also takes work - a lot of it - to be able to stay consistent with the creative process…that is, working on something until it’s finished.

Seeing a project through to the end of the creative process has historically been one of my biggest struggles. The irony of writing a book about beating procrastination that ultimately took a couple of years to finally publish is not lost upon me.

For example, when writing that last sentence, I literally got up right after writing it and walked away distracting myself because doing this stuff can be really, really hard.

But at the end of the day - it is in knowing the things that I share with the world are helping people that keeps me going. It can be a scary thing to put something new out into the world…especially a world full of people who can become experts at criticizing instead of putting in the work it takes to create.

For both Lany and I, this will be our first official book. I have manuscripts all over the place: half-written, partially written, needing to be edited, etc…but have never pulled the trigger on actually releasing an official book until now.

Going the co-author route certainly helps because you can keep each other accountable to get things done on time.

I share all this to let you know that I am just like you.

It is not easy to stay productive in a culture that is constantly vying for your attention and demanding that you drop whatever you’re doing to look at some advertisement on TV, the web, or your phone.

But with the right amount of discipline, practice, resources, persistence, and patience, you really can become a much more productive person.

That’s the magic formula for success: work, discipline, and grit.

It is my hope that this book helps you along at least one step further in becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be.

I want to champion you to achieve your goals and fulfill your dreams. What you see before you is one of my fulfilled dreams that has taken years to accomplish.

If there is one thing that I really want readers of this book to know when they are finished it is what I’m learning even as I write these words:

Be patient with yourself. The creative process is just that: a process.

I hope you enjoy our first book.