I’m an easily distracted gal. One minute I’m writing an article and the next I’m over on Facebook scrolling through my feed. Before I know it, I’ve lost a good 30 minutes or more of my day. I really have to be disciplined to get everything done.
My favorite tips for boosting productivity:
- Make a list – I create a list every morning as I’m having breakfast. This could be things that have to get done or things that I would like to get done. If I am working on a really big project or deadline, I will give that project or deadline its own list. Even if I’m not “working,” I like to create a list of things I would like to accomplish during the day. I like to end all of my days feeling like I’ve been productive and gotten things done.
- Tackle the tough stuff first – After I create my list, I give it a once over, look for the very hardest jobs and do those first. That way, it doesn’t matter if my afternoon gets derailed because I’ve gotten one or two really big things done.
- Find things to look forward to – If I’m looking at my list and I see that I have tasks that I’m not excited about, I’ll look for something I can do at the end of the day to treat myself. Perhaps I’ll spend some time reading in the backyard, take my dog for a walk or simply spend some free creative playtime in the studio.
- Take breaks often – Did I mention that I have a very short attention span? I have to take breaks often or I start to feel a little grumpy. I set a goal to finish one more article or one more email and then I can have 15 minutes to play My Singing Monsters. I power through, set a timer and enjoy my break. If I’m sitting a lot, I’ll take breaks to feed the dog, walk to the mai box or take something out of the freezer for dinner. Giving myself one destination or chore to do allows me to take a break without sacrificing a ton of work time.
- Know when to walk away – Is there anything more frustrating than a project that doesn’t work out the way you planned? You have an idea in mind and it just doesn’t look like what you had imagined. Know when to walk away from the frustration and do something different for a while. You’ll be amazed to find how much better you feel about the project when you return.
- Limit distractions – If you are easily distracted, consider putting your cell phone in another room. I keep my computer in a separate room so I can keep my creative space sacred. Limit as many distractions as you can (at least until it’s time for a break).
I know that many of these things may not seem fun and they might even feel a little cheesy. However, I have to admit that I feel more successful and confident on days when I’m more productive, and that makes me a lot more fun to be around in the evening.
What’s your favorite tip for boosting productivity?
By: Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess
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