We’ve all been there. We’ve all been overwhelmed with our work at times, wishing that there were more hours in the day so that we could get more accomplished. Unless the Earth suddenly starts to slow down, we’re still going to have only 24 hours in a day, so the onus is on us to improve our productivity.
I came across this three-step solution a while back and, for the life of me, I can’t recall its exact origin. If you know the source of these productivity tips, feel free to let us know through the comment form below.
No matter the source of your motivation, let’s figure out how you can accomplish more with your life.
1. One Thing at a Time
Contrary to popular belief and widespread practice, it’s usually not in your best interest to keep as any balls in the air as you can. In fact, it turns out that multitasking stunts your productivity. By trying to do more, you end up doing less.
This is partly because you were never wired to do more than one thing at a time. Even though you think you’re multitasking, you are only focusing on a single task at any given time. The reason why multitasking doesn’t work is that you take momentary breaks when switching between tasks.
Be like a dog in the hunt. Stay focused on the goal at hand and get the job done.
2. Most Important Thing First
So, we’ve learned that the most productive strategy is to focus on a single task at any given time. The trouble is that many of us get distracted with tasks that don’t really matter.
How much of your day is wasted on playing games, surfing Facebook, and checking your email? These are pleasant distractions, to be sure, but they aren’t doing anything for your productivity. Instead, you are much better off spending time on the things that truly matter.
Yes, you should definitely still take breaks. They exist to save your sanity and can help in the long run, but when you are working, work on the tasks that are most important to you.
3. Start Now
And this is the productivity tip that seems to give people the most trouble. They may know to focus on one thing at a time and they may know that the most important things should come first, but they may not be quite as inclined to make that first step. Nothing will get accomplished if you do nothing at all.
Do you hope for brighter days? Do you wish for a better job? Well, stop hoping and wishing. You need to start doing and you need to start doing right now. There is no time like the present. Go. Change the world, one task at a time.
Good advice, here is what I was taught to be productive:
1. Get enough sleep
2. Eat a good breakfast
3. Have a set, written plan
4. Delegate tasks if you can
5. Split tasks into A, B, C groups
6. If they are in the C group forget them
7. Finish the A group everyday
8. Move B group items up to remake your A group
9. Reevaluate after each tasks is completed
10. When the day is over, forget about work until the next day
I like your 10-steps pointers towards productivity, very handy tips.
I just want to add that point #4 is easier said than done for some people.
From my work experiences, some managers can’t delegate efficiently as they lack the skills as well as the trust to delegate the job to their suboardinates.
We should learn to prioritize our tasks and do the important thing first, one task at a time.
Multi-tasking is so overrated and in case you haven’t heard, it’s bad for health too!
EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! thanks…