As I’m constantly perusing the internet and listening to as many podcasts and audio books as I can find, I can’t help but accumulate a wealth of knowledge about productivity (as well as creativity). I thought these lists were dumb and I figured that as much as I see them, everyone else has as well. After a few conversations with people about their jobs and daily tasks, I determined that was NOT the case. Either way, I’ve compiled my Top 8 Productivity Tips (because I have OCD so it must be an even number, but I don’t want to be cliche and make it a “Top 10” list) that help me get more done each day/week/month/year. Some of these things may only save a moment or two, but if they’re added up throughout the year you will save HOURS of time! In no particular order:
- Evernote
- A piece of software that can be used for digital note-taking allowing the user to make notebooks, stack notes together, and categorize items. I use this for keeping lists of ideas, to-do lists, addresses, photos, and much more. I also use this to write drafts of blog posts and organize my life. The best part about this is that it syncs from your mobile device to your desktop automatically so you don’t have to keep multiple lists. Start with the desktop version and then go into the mobile app, much easier to comprehend. There is a free version and a paid version for $45/year, I prefer the free and it gives me everything I need and more.
- Turning OFF push notifications
- How many times are you distracted from your work by a ping or a tweet or an email or a text or…. It’s never-ending! Turning off the “push notifications” on our devices allows us to focus on the projects/tasks/people in front of us. Too often we focus on what’s in front of us (push notifications) versus what’s important. We yearn for distractions, don’t let them in!
- Batching email
- Since push notifications are off, emails need to be checked… but not every 18 seconds. Schedule exact times to go through email inbox(es) at multiple intervals throughout the day, or time if it’s just stuff you read that doesn’t require you respond.
- In-box Zero
- When an inbox reads “no emails” you’ve reached inbox zero, congratulations! This is an entire process of filing emails, responding to them when they come in, and NOT using your inbox as a to-do list. This link is a video explaining the entire theory. Its lengthy, but then again how much time are you wasting responding to emails each day?
- Numbering a To-Do List
- Keeping a To-Do list is a given, however numbering priorities helps me focus on what’s important. Break down tasks into priorities and start with the most important thing on the list each day and then go to #2. The top 3 things on a the list should be accomplished each day, until that happens: no Facebook, No Twitter, No Instagram, No Pinterest… and if you’re really feeling bold, no lunch.
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- I spend 98% of my work day on a laptop and have found a few keyboard shortcuts that make my life exponentially easier by incorporating them each day. The “Ctrl” key is at the bottom left of the keyboard and if you’re on a Mac this is the “Command” key located right next to the space bar.
- Ctrl + Z = Undo
- Ctrl + C = Copy
- Ctrl + V = Paste
- Double Clicking on a word = Highlight it to be cut, copied, or deleted
- Triple Clicking on a word = Highlighting an entire paragraph to be cut, copied, or deleted
- I spend 98% of my work day on a laptop and have found a few keyboard shortcuts that make my life exponentially easier by incorporating them each day. The “Ctrl” key is at the bottom left of the keyboard and if you’re on a Mac this is the “Command” key located right next to the space bar.
- Music without words
- I have never met someone that doesn’t like music. Unfortunately it can be distracting and we are all victims of the “multi-tasking” myth that surrounds offices throughout the world. Music can be soothing and it can help stimulate the brain, but when music has words it can be exponentially harder for our brains to concentrate on work when we want to start singing along. Find music without words from a friend’s Spotify playlist, from classical musical artists like Beethoven, or from bands like Orgone, Ratatat, or Explosions in the Sky.
- The egg timer
- It helps me in certain situations to put a timer on what I’m doing. The E.ggtimer is an online timer that allows the user to put a time on the clock without having to get up from the computer. This can be productive things like dedicating 45 minutes to making new Craigslist ads or ONLY spending 10 minutes on social media. If this is weird for you, there is always the timer on the iPhone app as well.
Hope you enjoyed this list, feel free to let me know what YOUR top tips are for getting things done!
—
[…] Notice I didn’t say emails, I batch all of those into certain times of the day, you can go here to read more about that and seven other productivity […]
[…] like to be effective and I was used to having a lot on my plate so I knew my limitations and how much I wanted to […]
[…] check my emails once or twice per day unless I am waiting on something urgent or I am expecting something big (this practice alone has […]
[…] If this sounds all too familiar, set a time each day and find a reason to leave. You’ll be much happier and you’ll get more done. […]
[…] all know I am a big fan of using technology to increase our productivity. So here’s some technology that has helped Joseph and millions of others distribute their […]