There are some mornings when I look at the day ahead and just know that it *has* to be Productive. Deadlines are approaching, my to-do list is swelling, and procrastination is no longer an option. How can I find a way to buckle down and GS, in this age where focusing has never been more difficult?
The growth of the internet and fact that nearly everyone has a smart Phone in their pocket has created an environment where distractions are everywhere. At the workplace we are hit with a constant barrage of text messages, emails, Slack (or HipChat) notifications, and cubicle drive-bys. We end switching our attention so often, that productivity starts to feel like vaporware.
So what can we do break the cycle of distraction? Here are a few tips to help you have a productive day.
Start With The MITs (most important things)
For as long as I can remember, I have been making lists to help me keep track of all of the things that I need to get done. The most important of these lists, which I learned from Leo over at ZenHabits, is one that I make every single morning. It’s called the MIT list (for Most Important Things).
The goal is find the three things that I really need to get completed for that day to be considered a success. I then start my day by working my three MITs, and I am not allowed to work on anything else until these three things have been addressed. There are many different free options out there for writing and creating lists, my current favorite is a product called Workflowy, which uses a clever hierarchy structure.
Only Check Your Email Twice a Day
I used to have an obsession with getting and maintaining inbox zero. For those not familiar, that means having zero unread messages at all time. When there is a little number next to my Gmail or Outlook, it was like a thorn in my paw. But this anal retentiveness came at a cost, as emails tend to flow into my various accounts at all hours of the day (and night).
In reality, the nature of email means that an immediate response is not required. If someone wanted to communicate something urgent, they would reach out to via text or give you a phone call. Instead of context switching and immediately checking every email that comes in, I decided to restrict my access to email. I now check my email twice each day. Once at about 10:00 am, after I spend some time working on my MITs. And once at 4:00 pm, about an hour before I head home. It has been incredibly freeing to my schedule to avoid these constant interruptions throughout the day.
Put Away the Cell Phone
The smart phones that we have in our pockets are the ultimate devices of distraction. Not only do we get the email/text messages, but we also have all of the information in the world at our fingertips. Do we really need to know every piece of news that happens in the world, immediately when it happens?
Many people have a bad habit of setting their phone on the table in front of them when they eat, and setting it on the desk where they work. It’s just sitting there, waiting for you to get fidgety, and then — when ready– your phone is there to deliver that sweet distraction that you have been craving. But if you have things that need to get done, its best just to avoid the temptation all together, and leave your phone in your pocket.
Take a Walk to Clear Your Mind
While it may sound a bit counterproductive to jumpstart your productivity by uh.. taking break, but there is some definite truth to this idea. If you start your day heads-down working on a project, at some point you are going to start to thrash a bit. Your mind will start to wonder to other things, and the fresh eyes that you began with will begin to feel like a distant memory.
When this starts to happen, its best just to step away. Go for a short walk, get yourself some water, or do a lap around the building. Stepping away for a few minutes tends to have the effect of resetting the mind, and when you jump back into things, your mind will be fresh and sharp.
This post first appeared on See Debt Run | Sprinting To Financial Freedom, please read the originial post: here
