I’ll admit it: I haven’t
always been the most productive person. There was a time in my life where bad
habits took precedence in my life, and though I thought I was accomplishing a
lot, it was actually more like one step forward, two steps backward. Though I
was still doing well and achieving my goals, I didn’t realize that I wasn’t
working to my full potential.
Luckily for me, very
productive people, who had achieved great success, surrounded me. After
spending some time observing my friend working one day, I noticed she was
singularly focused and had habits that were very different from mine. I
learned so much from her in just a few hours that it changed my habits
entirely.
What I’m saying is, ridiculously
productive people don’t get there by accident. They act purposefully in the way
that they work in order to maximize every minute of every day. Try some of
these habits of ridiculously productive people on for size, and I’m confident
you’ll see your productivity soar.
1. Focus on one thing at
a time.
Although multitasking
seems like a great idea that will help you do more things at once, multitasking
can actually limit your productivity and the quality of work you do. The
most productive people put all of their time and energy into one task, usually
the one item on their to-do list that will propel them forward into the most
success.
2. Eliminate
distractions.
Focusing on one task at a
time won’t work if your phone is consistently interrupting you with personal
texts or the latest ballgame scores, so productive people give themselves the
gift of momentum by eliminating distractions from immediate surroundings. I
love the night mode setting on my iPhone, which can be set up to allow phone
calls from favorites - like my wife -- to ring through in case of emergency.
3. Anticipate future
failures.
Incredibly productive
people consider what their future self is going to need, and prepare in advance
for that success. For example, do you set your coffee pot on a timer the night
before, or pick up your dry cleaning before you need it? Thinking a few hours
- even days -- ahead will make your future self less stressed and way more
productive when you don’t have to waste time finding, fixing and doing
things in the moment you need them.
4. Balance home and work.
The secret to real
productivity is not focusing solely on work. Whether your job is your passion
or not, balancing your personal relationships and downtime with office time is
integral to being productive. Make time for family, friends, exercise and
relaxation, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor and keep yourself from
burning out.
5. Check your inbox at
set times.
Answering emails whenever
they arrive is distracting and disjointing to your focus. Ridiculously
productive people know that they won’t accomplish much if they’re at the beck
and call of anyone or anything that needs their attention. Instead of
constantly refreshing your inbox, check your email two or three times a day,
maximum. Set an amount of time you have to answer, and sort those that need
immediate attention and those that can wait.
6. Avoid meetings at all
costs.
Most meetings have no
clear objectives and are huge time wasters. Oftentimes, invited attendees
aren’t needed and all of the information could be given in a few emails or a
memo. If you must hold a meeting, establish an agenda beforehand, and designate
a moderator, who can keep everyone on task. Otherwise, use one of the many
collaboration apps now available, like Yammer, Podio, Basecamp or Asana.
7. Say “yes” sparingly.
Incredibly productive
people know two things. One, time is at a premium. The more things they take
on, the greater the chances that it is physically impossible to accomplish
those things. Two, discretion is the better part of valor, meaning if you’re
going to boldly strike forward, choosing your path with care is incredibly
important. Don’t say “yes” out of fear that nothing else will come along, and
say “no” often.
8. Delegate as much as
possible.
Delegating is the twin
sister to saying “yes” sparingly. Letting go of control and delegating
efficiently is a huge trick of productive people. Sometimes you want to say
“yes,” but you don’t have the time to follow through. Utilize one of the
myriad of ways available to find someone to do the things you can’t physically
do. From managing a team to picking up your dry cleaning, you don’t have to do
it all yourself.
9. Nurture yourself with
a morning routine.
The most productive
people on the planet have a set morning routine that gets them ready for the
day ahead: coffee, hot shower, yoga and journaling top the list, but it
could be anything that sets your mind and body on a productive course for the
day. Routines become habits, and good habits keep you healthy, energetic and
ready for anything.
Written By: Murray Newlands
Credit: Entrepreneur.com
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