Be More Productive

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Be More Productive

When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will live each moment to the fullest.

10 Simple Steps to Boost Productivity

A to do list for business efficiency and productivity.

Want to get more done in less time? Productivity tactics help you to work more efficiently. The quality of work improves, the amount of work increases, and your energy levels may stay higher than you thought possible. Try some or all of these tips to help yourself be more productive in your work or home life.

10. Cycle Through Work/Break Periods
Burst into your work in short, highly focused phases. Then allow yourself a rest break to recover and refuel. Schedule this work/break period and stick to it. Cycle through this several times over the course of the day. This becomes your work routine.

Work Period: Figure out your optimal work time that you can stay focused and on task. For some people it’s 45 minutes and for others 90 minutes.
Break Period: The rest break is just as important, perhaps 10 to 20 minutes. It helps to decide in advance what to do during your break so that you don’t distract from the work thinking about what you want to do on break.

9. Review Goal and Tasks
Join the ranks of highly productive people. Making lists is probably their most consistent trait. Create a daily To-Do list of one main goal and three tasks for the day.

First step: Figure out your single, largest goal for the year. You probably have many plans, but see if you can condense all of them to one MAIN goal. Visit this goal first thing every morning.
Next step: Look over your three tasks for the day. Prepare these the night before or in the morning when you first wake up. These three tasks are your TO-DO list for the day. Granted you will need to add additional tasks, but tackle these three first before beginning the others. Be honest with yourself about your limitations and keep the tasks reasonable. No single task should take more than one of your scheduled work periods. If it seems like it will run long, break it down into two or more tasks.
Finally: Cross the tasks off the list as you finish them. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and you may be surprised at how motivated you become as you see tasks get crossed off.

8. Focus, Really Focus
Choose one task, do it very well, finish it before you even think of something else to do. New research shows that multitasking may actually be less productive. Try not to let your attention wander. It can take more time to refocus back to the task at hand. Do each job right the first time and waste no time redoing a completed task. Do less, just do it better.

7. Minimize Interruptions
The most productive people follow strict routines. Try to limit interruptions such as phone calls and email notifications. Let the calls go to voice mail and schedule times to check email after your tasks are done. Your peak productivity may be a direct result of your devotion to the routine you have set for yourself.

6. Avoid Outside Distractions
Does it seem like your mind wants to wander to anything but work? Get rid of TV and even music if it is a distraction rather than an aid to productivity. Do not allow people to drop by your workspace uninvited. Never invite them. Have you heard about energy vampires? They suck up all your time and energy. Go even further and drop negative people out of your life.

5. Don’t Wait for Ideal Conditions
Have a great project idea? Don’t wait for the perfect timing to launch it. Just get started, even if it is just a tiny step in the right direction. Writer’s block, task dreading, and procrastinating all fall in the wake of the baby step.

4. Write a STOP DOing List
As important as a TO-DO list may be, a STOP DOing list can really hone your productivity skills. Examples:

STOP saying “Yes” when I really mean “No”.
STOP checking my tweets, texts, or posts.
STOP waiting, do it now.
STOP telling myself that I’m not good enough to succeed.

3. Prepare Work Space the Night Before
Be ready to get started working immediately. Organize your materials and straighten your work area the day or evening before. Tell yourself, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.”

2. Exercise, Eat Right, Rest
Why does this seem to be the cure for everything? Because health matters. Good health means vibrant energy and lasting stamina. It is easier to maintain focus and even boost creativity. Exercise regularly, eat quality foods—not too much, and get enough sleep. Also, drink plenty of water. Adapting your life to these qualities will help you to get more done and feel better, too.

1. Love Your Job
Create a passion for what you're doing. Not everybody loves his or her job. What if you could find a way to change either the daily tasks or your role on the job? Or perhaps you could spark an attitude adjustment? When you love what you do, you begin to ask, "what more can I do?" instead of "what should I do to get through the day?"

When you are able to get a lot done in a short amount of time, it becomes obvious to your coworkers or family. Your productivity gauge is like your life made visible to others. Being productive doesn’t just happen. And it’s not a quality just a few people are born with. Productivity is about commitment to your organized plan and following through. Ultimately, it is about YOU having more time for YOU to build the life that YOU want.

Read more articles about creating a balanced life in LifeStyle.

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A good and helpful list, but I would add time tracking app or software to the things you really need to be productive time.
-- gelgirlie07

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