Last year one of the key challenges clients faced was time management and productivity, which makes this the perfect topic for my initial blog of 2014. Trying to work your way through coverage of how to do things more efficiently can get in the way of actually getting things done. So in the interest of saving you time, I’ve summarised how the most productive people manage to accomplish so much:
FOCUS ON ONE BIG TASK AT A TIME
It’s all too easy to get distracted by ‘work’ that takes up a lot of time and energy but isn’t ultimately getting you where you want to go. Instead focus on one big task at a time and getting that completed.
ORGANISE YOUR DAY INTO TIME BLOCKS
Some people are early risers, some are night owls, while others hit their stride mid-day. Figure out when during the day you are most productive then establish blocks of time get more focused work done.
DO THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO DO
You don’t have to ‘feel like’ doing something in order to do it. When you remember that, you are no longer sidetracked by trying to get into the right frame of mind for daunting projects. Don’t beat yourself up for procrastinatory feelings. Just observe them, and simultaneously direct your limbs to do the work.
DON’T GET PARALYSED BY PERFECTION
The best project is a completed project. It’s easy to get paralysed by perfection, but it’s better to get something out the door than to hold onto it for a long time hoping to remove every flaw.
STAY IN THE MOMENT
If you feel overwhelmed (like pretty much everyone), it might not be because you have so much to do, but rather that you are trying to do too much at the same time. You can’t do two things at once–it’s physically impossible for your brain to multi-task. Even if you don’t lower your workload, doing one thing at a time will help you do better and, equally importantly, feel better.
PUT YOUR BRAIN ON AUTOPILOT FOR THE SMALL STUFF
Super productive people don’t waste their time on the small daily decisions that take up much of our brain space. For example, Steve Jobs dressed the same way each day so he was able to focus on big picture problems and “reduce decision fatigue.”
WRITE AN OLD-FASHIONED TO-DO LIST
Sometimes the simplest methods are the best. Every day, write down the various tasks you want to accomplish and check them off as I go through them and complete them. Seeing the progress makes you feel good and more productive. It also helps you to be a bit more realistic in understanding what you can accomplish every day, and which tasks are top priority.
GET AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
The promises we make to ourselves are easy to break It’s much harder to call a friend/coach on Friday and inform them that you have failed.
DON’T CHECK SOCIAL MEDIA
When you need a break don’t check social media or email. Instead go for a walk, or get a snack to stave off hunger.
DEAL WITH IT ONLY ONCE
Deal with something only once. Do it now. Then it’s off your mind, and you can fully focus on the next matter. The “deal with it only once” policy works for three of the most nagging aspects of everyone’s day: email, meetings, and requests for help. Answer all as soon as they come up and get them out of the way.
