“You don't actually do a project; you can only
do action steps related to it. When enough of the right action steps have been
taken, some situation will have been created that matches your initial picture
of the outcome closely enough that you can call it "done.”
― David Allen, Getting
Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Productivity is
the result of a combination of action steps to help you stay on track during
the work day. I have some tips for those looking to boost their productivity:- Create your own to-do list system. There’s nothing more satisfying for me than checking off a to-do list, and at the end of the day seeing all of my accomplished work. Take time at the beginning of your day to organize tasks, putting them in priority order. You might prefer a calendar to X off or some artsy stationary paper to make it fun, go with what works for you to stay on track for the day.
- Clear off your desk ~ Clear out your mind. Keep your desk clutter free to help keep your mind clutter free. Organize those papers in files – even organize your email into sub files. You’ll know right where everything is to keep the creative juices flowing and have plenty of thinking space!
- Check your emails less frequently, develop designated times for correspondence. Checking your email constantly throughout the day is bound to throw off your productivity. Understandably, not all of us have the ability to set aside our email, however, as a suggestion, take inventory of how often you are checking your email to decide how it is affecting your productivity. You may notice you do have a little wiggle room to schedule email checking appointments.
- Focus on brain nutrition. How and what you eat absolutely affects how you feel, in turn affecting your productivity...
- If your diet is full of high calorie-low nutrition food, try adding in whole foods: such as veggies and fruits. Pay attention to how your body feels after eating whole, clean foods.
- Drink water. Water is known to energize and help us keep focused.*
- Eat your lunch away from your desk, it gives you time to breathe, so when lunchtime is over you are ready to restart fresh.
- If you drink coffee or tea, try sweetening it with Stevia or another natural sugar replacements to keep those sugar crashes at bay.
There are many resources online to give you more ideas of
how to stay productive – these are just a few of my personal favorite tips.
I’d love to know, what keeps you productive / gets you flowing?
JT
*http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/you-illuminated/201010/why-your-brain-needs-water
