7 Essential Secrets To Extreme Productivity
January 22nd, 2008 | by Jeniffer |1) Get the thing you like doing the least done first.
That way, you won’t be putting it off by not doing all the other things on your to do list.
2) Use the things you actually enjoy doing as a reward for accomplishing the things you don’t like doing so much.
Let’s say you have to work out today.
Let’s say you despise working out, but your doctor says your health depends on it, so you must.
But you’d really like to make a phone call to a friend.
Get the workout done first, then make the call.
Not only will you feel better for having worked out, you will bring a renewed sense of accomplishment and self confidence to that phone call.
3) Learn to say “no”.
If you’re asked to do something you absolutely know you do not want to do, say no.
If you are unsure whether or not you want to do something, request time to think about it. “I’ll get back to you on Tuesday” for instance, gives you time to really consider whether or not you actually want to do something in the first place.
4) Beware of time thieves–those things which eat up large portions of your time, but which give you nothing in return.
Some common time thieves include checking emails several timer per day (why not check emails just once or twice per day instead, and no more than that?).
And shut off the email notification on your computer, so you are not notified every time a new email comes in.
5) While on the subject of emails, do you while away many a half hour of so going through bad jokes or poems in emails, when you would be better off using the time to do your work?
Why not send out a politely worded email, advising your desire to be removed from lists of people who will receive these types of emails, at least at the address you will be checking on once or twice per day while you are working?
6) Mindless surfing online is a huge waste of time.
Be sure you know just what it is you are looking for when you are online.
Write it down.
Look for it.
Find it.
Then carry on with whatever work related task you have at hand.
Some people find it helpful to limit online research or searching to certain times of the day, in order to resist the temptation to surf.
7) Like online surfing, surfing endlessly through television channels is a complete waste of valuable time.
Watch only programs you are truly interested in or entertained by.
Do not sit, starting at the t.v. screen, remote in hand, munching on chips and surfing through channels, blindly searching for something that will catch your eye.
Instead, spend a few minutes each week planning what you will watch.
Decide which programs are worth spending your precious time on, note when they come on and when they end, and plan your t.v.-viewing time accordingly.
Even better, eliminate television watching altogether.
I did this some time ago, although I do watch the occasional DVD.
Doing so has opened up time to do things which are enjoyable, truly entertaining, and fun, none of which I found television to be.
Try each of these tips for 30 days, and see how much more productive you can be.
