Below is a compilation of GSD Lab assignments, by category. These assignments are optional and not scored. They are intended to help you experiment with some advanced techniques to get even more out of GET SHIT DONE.
For any of the below GSD Labs you choose, watch the video and complete the accompanying assignment. Post a proof pic to your fire team and/or other appropriate Slack channels to share your progress with other GSD Warriors.
Dark Goals
The following assignments are intended to help you gain further insight into the creation of effective Dark Goals, and how those Dark Goals fit together with other elements of the GSD framework.
GSD Lab: Illuminating Your Dark Goals
Assignment: Improve Your Dark Goals
Watch the video above and make any changes or adjustments needed to any of your dark goal(s).
Proof pic: Post about how you revised your dark goal(s) to your fire team channel.
GSD Lab: The Pyramid
Assignment: Review and refine your Pyramid
Watch the video above and make any changes needed to your 3 Pyramid elements, in order to help you feel a better sense of clarity and inspiration for moving forward.
Proof pic: Post some comments about those revisions to your fire team channel.
Productivity
The following assignments are intended to give you some advanced techniques to improve your productivity.
GSD Lab: Pomodoro
Assignment: Try the Pomodoro Technique for a minimum of 2 hours during a workday
Use the Pomodoro Technique for one workday, completing at least 4 consecutive pomodoros. Keep track using a physical timer, watch, timer/app on your phone or computer, or this website.
Proof pic: Upload a photo or screenshot showing your log of completed pomodoros or the method you used to keep time, along with your thoughts about the experience to your fire team channel.
GSD Lab: Decision Purging
Assignment: Purge a daily decision
List out all of your decision points throughout a typical day, from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed. Then identify a decision you can purge, and take action to simplify (purge) that decision.
Proof pic: Upload a photo showing the action you took to your fire team channel.
GSD Lab: Distraction Destroyer
Assignment: Destroy a Distraction
Make a commitment to destroy one or more of the 10 distractions described in the above video. Then take action on your commitment.
Proof pic: Write a post or upload a photo showing a distraction you’ve destroyed to your fire team channel.
Mindfulness
The following assignments are intended to provide you with some advanced tools to help improve your mindfulness.
GSD Lab: Breathe
Assignment: Try a breathing exercise for 3 days in a row.
Watch the video above choose one of the mentioned breathing exercises (or choose a different one based on your own preferences and/or research), and perform that breathing exercise once per day for 3 days in a row. You can count in your head, use a timer, or an app.
Proof pic: Post about your experience to your fire team channel.
GSD Lab: Visualize
Assignment: Visualize your productive day
In the morning, set a timer for 10 minutes and sit in a quiet, comfortable place. Close your eyes and focus on your breath, taking deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Visualize yourself in a place that you find to be the most relaxing and happy and carefree. Then visualize yourself approaching your tasks for that day with ease. Then slowly bring your attention back to your breath, and then after another minute, bring yourself back to the room where you are sitting, and open your eyes.
Proof pic: Post about your visualization experience to your fire team channel.
Mindset
The following assignments are intended to help you take your mindset to the next level.
GSD Lab: Rhythm
Assignment: Master your rhythm
Identify where you are on your rhythm curve (high end or low end), and describe how you are feeling right now. Then, write down what you will do to feed the high or low situation that you’re in right now. Then, write down how you’ll know when you hit the opposite point on the curve and what you’ll do to feed it. Finally, follow through on doing what you said you would do.
Proof pic: Upload a photo showing the action you took to feed the high or low point you are currently in.
GSD Lab: Listen to Yourself
Assignment: Record Your Voice
Compile the assignments you’ve written thus far and decide which ones you want to record in audio format. Next, create your recordings (up to a total of about 10 minutes max) using a voice note or voice recording on your mobile device, or use a free computer software program such as Audacity or GarageBand. Then, commit to listening to your recording(s) every day, preferably as part of your morning and/or evening ritual.
Proof pic: Upload a photo or screenshot of your recording(s) to your fire team channel.
Multipliers
The following assignments are highly powerful and bold actions you can take can have meaningful and lasting impact on your life that is disproportionately greater than the effort required.
GSD Lab: Challenge
Assignment: Commit to a 30-Day Personal Challenge
Brainstorm any ideas for possible 30-day challenge candidates you can commit to. Then select the one that jumps out at you the most, and take the first action (Day 1) of your 30-Day Challenge.
Proof pic: Post a picture or explanation of the 30-day commitment you’ve made to your fire team channel.
GSD Lab: 80/20 Product Creation
GSD Lab Assignment: Create an 80/20 Product or Project in Record Time
Watch the above video and review the 80/20 Product Creation Matrix, then determine the essence and scope of a High Value, Low Outlay product or project you can create/launch quickly. Set a radical deadline for yourself, and do the work necessary to create and ship within your deadline.
Proof pic: Write a post or upload a photo showing the actions you have taken to your fire team channel.