A Complete Guide to Prioritisation, Focus and Productivity

Name: A Complete Guide to Prioritisation, Focus and Productivity
Rating: 4.4 (1291 reviews)

Learn the secrets to uncovering your true motivation, setting priorities, staying focused + achieving meaningful goals.

Created byKain Ramsay, The School for Self-Improvement and Personal Growth, Academy of Applied Psychology

Last updated 8/2025

English

What you'll learn

Practical Insights: How to make smart decisions about how to best allocate your resources.
Self-Awareness: Factors to think about when choosing a purposeful direction for your life.
Self-Knowledge: The role that your mindset plays in determining your personal productivity.
Practical Insights: Understand the actionable psychology behind developing hyper-focus.
Self-Discipline: The Kaizen Model for improved self-efficiency and ongoing improvement.
Practical Insights: Set well-defined goals and outcomes that are measurable and realistic.
Self-Awareness: Remove non-essentials from your life and cut out unnecessary busyness.
Practical Insights: Principles for leadership, financial efficiency and business achievement.
Self-Efficiency: Productivity methods, tools and strategies used by elite high achievers.
Practical Insights: How to quantify the specific outcomes you hope to achieve for your life.

Course content

2 sections • 38 lectures • 12h 25m total length

Introduction Video and Course Welcome11:33
Hyper-focus is an extraordinary character attribute that allows people to discipline their attention over a designated amount of time. In this opening lecture, your instructor will introduce the training course, and explain exactly what you can expect to learn from the next 12+ hours of video based teaching.
A Model for Productivity and Efficiency19:11
Productivity is commonly defined as a ratio between the output volume and the volume of inputs. In other words, it measures how efficiently production inputs, such as labour and capital, are being used in an economy to produce a given level of output. This teaching explores a key productivity principle that can be related to every area of your life in which you direct your focus.
How to Get MORE From this Training Course!2:40
To gain even more benefit from this online training experience beyond just watching the pre-recorded instructional videos, here are some of the different ways you can achieve this. Access 100's of articles, 100's more FREE video tutorials, and browse the inspiring Achology Quotes website!
How to Ask Questions About the Udemy Website?2:12
This brief onboarding article offers basic course instructions and directs you to Udemy Support for any questions or issues you might encounter while using the Udemy website.
Defining an Overarching Objective for Life16:28
In order to consciously detach from something, we must sever all connections to it. All productivity is determined by our mentality. In order to obtain more of what we desire, we must unconsciously separate ourselves from that which we do not want. It's time to stop focusing on what we don't have, and start asking better questions about how we can get what we want.
Outlining a Path to Progress28:10
Without change, progress cannot be achieved and those who refuse to change their minds will remain unchanged. Unless we have a clear vision of the goal we are pursuing, how will we know if we are veering off course? We can follow a path to progress that will assist us in getting closer to our main objective, which will be discussed throughout the video.
Blocks to Hyper-Personal Efficiency (Part 1)21:30
Productivity refers to achieving results within a reasonable amount of time. The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your goals and everyday challenges are your own. Your mindset will serve you as either a friend or a foe. You can conquer almost anything upon making up your mind to do so. Fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind! This video is part 1 of 2.
Blocks to Hyper-Personal Efficiency (Part 2)18:35
Productivity refers to achieving results within a reasonable amount of time. The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your goals and everyday challenges are your own. Your mindset will serve you as either a friend or a foe. You can conquer almost anything upon making up your mind to do so. Fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind! This video is part 2 of 2.
A Basis for Reflective (Wise) Self-Evaluation18:56
Knowing oneself involves evaluating oneself critically. It is necessary to become self-aware and consider the consequences of one's own decisions in order to become effective and productive. In order to become more informed and self-aware, we need to think about the impact of our decisions on the other people in our lives and in this clip, we examine the basis for a reflective self-evaluation.
A Guide to Overcoming Distraction (Part 1)21:41
A tarpaulin is a large ground sheet of waterproof material; challenging to pin down on a windy day without the right strategy but can be mastered when we focus on pinning down one corner at a time. We can liken this to pinning down the different areas of our lives; if we don't commit to this we can end up being blown around like a leaf in the wind. This video is part 1 of 2.
A Guide to Overcoming Distraction (Part 2)10:54
A tarpaulin is a large ground sheet of waterproof material; challenging to pin down on a windy day without the right strategy but can be mastered when we focus on pinning down one corner at a time. We can liken this to pinning down the different areas of our lives; if we don't commit to this we can end up being blown around like a leaf in the wind. This video is part 2 of 2.
Unpacking Your Core Human Values (Part 1)20:02
Basic human values refer to those values which are at the core of being human. The values which are considered basic inherent values in humans include truth, honesty, loyalty, love, peace, etc. We all share the same values but prioritise them differently. It's only once we understand our priorities (our governing values) that we know where to direct our focus. This video is part 1 of 2.
Unpacking Your Core Human Values (Part 2)16:47
Basic human values refer to those values which are at the core of being human. The values which are considered basic inherent values in humans include truth, honesty, loyalty, love, peace, etc. We all share the same values but prioritise them differently. It's only once we understand our priorities (our governing values) that we know where to direct our focus. This video is part 2 of 2.
The Gibbs Reflective Model17:52
The Gibbs Reflective Model allows you to consider a negative experience or event with a reflective set of eyes to learn the necessary lessons that allow you to become more productive/effective.
Six Keys to Unlocking Hyper-Efficiency26:46
Viktor Frankl found purpose in his Natzi concentration camp experience through knowing that he could offer other people value; turning adversity into a meaningful purpose. Our past events can shape our future vision - we can each use our past and the hardships we've experienced to channel our focus onto a more meaningful vision for our future.
Ikigai: A Reason for Being21:43
Unless we develop a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives, we will find it difficult to remain focused and disciplined in our pursuit of our goals. Ikigai, the Japanese ideology, has long been regarded as the essence of finding one's purpose in life. Quite simply, your Ikigai is the value that you are best positioned to provide for the world.
Defining Inspiring Future Goals24:08
Discipline can only be measured through a goal. Our future life vision gives us a benchmark to measure decision making in the future. Setting goals is one thing, but framing goals in a way that motivates action is quite another. It's only when we're focused on what we're going to gain from our goals that they become inspiring. Kain explains the different types of goals in this teaching.
Well Formed and Specified Goal Setting23:21
Some people spend a considerable amount of time planning their future, often at the expense of actually taking action toward their goals. Design thinking does not allow for procrastination or over-thinking. A productive person must learn to be efficient in transforming their ideas into reality. In this video, Kain discusses the importance of setting well-crafted and specific goals.
The Four Levels of Self-Awareness17:56
Self-awareness leads to intelligence. Learning about yourself begins with awareness. We can't learn what we are not. Awareness is the point at which the mind reaches into reality. In awareness you seek not what pleases, but what is true. There is a higher perspective we can adopt; throughout this video Kain discusses the four levels of self-awareness and brings this section of the course to a close.

The Four States of Vision and Contentment20:20
Fulfillment is more meaningful than happiness, but the pursuit of fulfilment in and of itself is still hollow - it's just an emotional state. However, we can instead pursue meaningful goals. How hard we work and how compelling our vision is, will determine our level of fulfillment. In this video, we explore four states of contentment relating to the fulfillment we experience when pursuing a meaningful life vision.
Hierarchy of Competency Development (CD)22:35
As we become conscious of the fact that there is much in life we don't know, we ask more wise and conscious questions. We all have the opportunity today, to become masters of something. The teaching in this video illustrates the scale (which in some cases is referred to as a spectrum) from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence (personal or skillful mastery).
Knowing Your Zone (and getting in it)24:16
Fulfillment and contentment are a result of recognizing that we are making progress in life. A tree will be limited in its growth if it's surrounded by the roots of too many other plants or weeds. In the same way, We grow when we are unrestricted, step outside of our comfort zone and stretch ourselves.
Context for Being a More Valuable Human (Part 1)26:14
Your identity will determine how productive you will be; you will either commit to being false or real and genuine. By default, our productivity and effectiveness increase exponentially when we become a more valuable human being. Kain does a contrastive analysis of the vices and virtues we can commit to and how each impacts our productivity. This video is part 1 of 2.
Context for Being a More Valuable Human (Part 2)17:38
Your identity will determine how productive you will be; you will either commit to being false or real and genuine. By default, our productivity and effectiveness increase exponentially when we become a more valuable human being. Kain does a contrastive analysis of the vices and virtues we can commit to and how each impacts our productivity. This video is part 2 of 2.
The Kaizen Model for Continuing Improvement22:29
The Japanese philosophy of Kaizen means 'never-ending improvement'; it means continuing improvement in our personal life, home life, social life and working life. Throughout this video the various steps of the Kaizen model are outlined and unpacked which paints a picture of how we can start implementing change in our lives, changing one habit at a time.
Redesign Your Day for Optimal Balance30:05
We all have the same amount of hours in the day but taking control of that time is the key to hacking those 24 hours. When you start to really look at what you do each day, you might be surprised by how much time you let go to waste. We make BIG changes in our lives by committing to SMALL habitual changes over time. Here are 6 principles you can use to redesign your day for optimal balance.
Six Principles for Perpetual Personal Proficiency15:17
The world is a classroom for leaders. Mistakes, successes, books, coworkers, bosses, friends, and life itself teach us. Leaders know what matters, and that time is the most valuable commodity that they have access to. Many people, sadly, take their time for granted and waste it on meaningless tasks. In this teaching, Kain highlights six principles for perpetual personal proficiency.
Trading Off Between Good and Great14:45
It's not uncommon for people to trade off between good and great. When you can work hard for first place, why would you settle for second? Most people want to be productive and know they are making the most of their time. A simple exercise is presented in this video to help you reduce your commitments and focus all your efforts on a few key activities.
The Stress (and stress management) Principle26:22
There will always be stress and pressure in our lives, so we must learn how to manage them. Because most people do not understand stress, they never learn how to manage it. Through this video, we explore the stress principle, which describes the relationship between stress, time and space, and then look at a short exercise that can be completed to assess your time efficiency.
Productivity Versus Progress24:15
Ultimately, how we lead ourselves will determine how productive we are. In some cases, people commit to being productive just for the sake of feeling better about their current situation. If productivity does not lead to progress in life, then what is the point? We'll explore some of the characteristics of progress and discuss different leadership styles in this video.
The Six Faces of Influential Leadership18:13
Leadership is defined by the results that come from the life of a person: a genuine leader will have a following of followers who look to them for guidance. Various forms of leadership generate different types of outcomes - this video will provoke you to think about what kind of outcome you wish to achieve in your own life, AND through your style of preferred personal leadership.
A Model for Financial Efficiency30:30
Financial goals often motivate people to become more productive. It is not so much money that motivates people, but the rewards that they can gain from money. Having a financial vision for the future and a plan for budgeting will help you reach your financial goals.
Basic Cash Flow: Assets and Liabilities25:07
We will prioritise based on the mindset that we adopt. If we examine history, we can find that certain mindsets have ensnared groups of people for decades and even centuries. To prosper financially, one must adopt a 'kingdom' mindset and invest their resources into assets rather than liabilities.
The Simplest Business Planning Model21:28
As we begin to change, we are exploring what it means to be entrepreneurial, to start creating things with our lives that will provide an additional source of income for us. In order to prepare for the future, it is wise to grasp a basic understanding of the business planning process.
Getting Efficient: Six Types of Leverage31:29
Our efficiency increases as we gain more leverage in life. Leveraging allows us to accelerate our wealth growth and save time, but it takes effort, creativity, and hard work. In the absence of leverage, we are entirely dependent on our own limitations. Although leverage is not a new concept, it's important to become aware of the ways that we can leverage so that we can do it more intentionally.
The Seven Projects (Course) Project11:36
Learning about leverage and the difference between assets and liabilities may seem overwhelming to those not raised to be financially literate. Through the process of taking action, we develop a greater awareness of leverage principles and gain experience applying them.
Closing Thoughts and Recommended Reads18:35
When it comes to being output-oriented versus outcome-oriented, there is a massive difference. Rather than simply going through the motions and producing outputs, we can discipline ourselves to produce specific outcomes. The clearer you are about what you want in life, the more disciplined you will become in channeling your efforts in this direction. This brings us to the end of this course.
Bonus Lecture: Possible Next Steps and Suggestions3:26
It's always exciting to complete a course and take the first steps towards mastering new skills. However, learning is an ongoing process, and there is always more knowledge to gain and ways to apply it. Here are some possible next steps you can take after completing this course:

Requirements

An MP3 version is also accessible for those who like to learn 'on the go'.
You can access your training course on a tablet, smartphone, or desktop.
We include additional learning materials to assist you in your learning.
This course does not require any prior experience or qualifications.
Students are prompted to take notes (for self-reflection reasons only).
This training can be studied anywhere with a stable internet connection.

Description

To clarify, this is not a typical 'how to be more productive' course. Instead, this training is designed to help you uncover what truly motivates you. By understanding this, you can set meaningful goals and dedicate your time to activities that align with your core values and priorities, allowing you to live and work in harmony with what matters most to you.

The Hyper-Focus, Prioritisation and Productivity Masterclass teaches you to identify your priorities, sharpen your focus, and boost your productivity without extending your work hours or exerting more effort. By blending psychological insights with practical life wisdom, this course unveils the secrets that set highly effective people apart from ordinary achievers.

The training starts by exploring the concept of motivation—what it is and how it influences our actions and decisions. We then transition to prioritisation, where we learn to identify and rank our goals based on personal motivations and values. Following that, we address strategies for improving focus by understanding the distractions that hinder achieving our goals.

This course goes beyond basic productivity tips, guiding you to gain a deep understanding of yourself and your main sources of motivation. It helps you choose your life's pursuits with these insights in mind. By knowing what drives you, you can develop a tailored strategy to enhance your productivity without risking burnout, overworking, or compromising your health.

Some of the key concepts covered in this course include:

- The motivations & values that motivate all human decision making

- Aligning personal and professional goals to maximize congruence

- Establishing the specific outcomes you hope to achieve in your life

- Strategies for removing non-essentials and 'busyness' from your day

- Establishing well-formed outcomes and setting clearly defined goals

- The Kaizenᵗᵐ Approach to Continuous Improvement and Efficiency

- Models for leadership congruence, business and financial efficiency

- The central role that your mindset plays in personal effectiveness

- A range of pertinent psychological theories on focus and attention

- The impact of mental clarity and mindfulness on daily performance

In today's fast world, mastering focus and productivity is key to success. This course explores the art of prioritisation, gaining mental clarity, overcoming procrastination, and developing a laser-like focus. By implementing these skills, participants can streamline their efforts and pursue meaningful long-term milestones, leading to fulfilling achievements and a balanced life.

This course conveys expert lessons derived from extensive experience and industry knowledge directly to you. it offers a spectrum of psychological insights, principled life wisdom and practical strategies to help students become clear on what's important to them. It emphasizes mindful engagement, strategic planning, and the development of productive habits.

This course can't make you more productive, set goals for you, or instil self-control and discipline within you. These are choices you must make on your own. This masterclass is designed to inspire you to focus on meaningful pursuits that energize you, moving beyond superficial materialism, and simply say 'no' to distractions that divert your focus from these fulfilling goals.

Our training materials are captured in HD video, accompanied by an MP3 version of the course, and supplemented with PDF resources to enhance your learning experience. The course is available on-demand, providing a comprehensive framework to contextualize your studies and establish a strong foundation for sharing your newfound skills with others.

ⓘ This training is part of a broader 28-course Achology curriculum. It comes with a full 30-day money back guarantee, so if you're not satisfied, you can get a refund with no questions asked.

Who this course is for:

Busy professionals seeking to enhance their productivity and focus.
Entrepreneurs aiming to improve self-discipline for business success.
Students looking to boost concentration and academic performance.
Creatives wanting to maintain focus and consistency in their projects.
Managers needing effective strategies for team productivity and focus.
Anyone committed to mastering self-discipline and time management.

A Complete Guide to Prioritisation, Focus and Productivity

What you'll learn

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Course content

The Foundations of Self Discipline and Mind Management19 lectures • 5hr 40min

The Practicalities of Wise and Disciplined Decision Making19 lectures • 6hr 45min

Requirements

Description

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