Become more productive using established "tips" like those offered by David Allen in Getting Things Done.
Worst case, pass methods along to young players to build productivity habits during their formative years.
1. See the "big picture." Whether academic success or basketball credibility, set your goal. As a developmental coach, I put the 'player experience' first, player development next, and then winning. My twelve year-old daughter told me when my son graduated from high school, "I promise that I'll be the valedictorian." She was.
2. Make the time. Achievement = performance x time. No pain, no gain. Larry Bird took 500 free throws before school. Isiah Thomas virtually lived at the playground honing his skills under the tutelage of his brother, ironically named Larry. Bill Bradley invested three hours training each weekday and all day Saturday from age 12.
3. Find the space. Carve out your workspace free of distractions. Many writers have areas free of cellphones or other media. It's not ideal to have your desk in front of the television.
4. Develop a filing system. There's no one "right" system. It's important to develop something that works for you. Some options include:
- An index card based system (Robert Greene and Ryan Holiday favor)
- Spreadsheet based system (I like Google Drive)
- Notebooks (three ring binders are more versatile than composition)
- I use my blog as one way to retrieve information
- Playbooks (I use Fast Model Sports) which is excellent in every way
- Drill book
- Find your big picture.
- Achievement = Performance x Time (make the time)
- Carve out a distraction-free workspace
- Develop a filing system
- Perform research