I like to get things done. In fact, I’ve had complete strangers on Twitter ask me if I’m a #GTD person. Why, yes. Yes, I am.
That being said, I thought I’d share some of my tips and tricks for getting said things done. Productivity doesn’t belong to a select group of people. Anybody can be more productive. It just takes some work.
- Identify goals. The secret to getting things done is to define what those “things” are. It’s all well and good to be a #GTD person, but the energy has to be directed somewhere for it to have an effect.
- Stay focused. It’s easy to get distracted. It’s nice to have 24/7/365 access to the Internet, but the distractions have to be limited in order to increase productivity. I close out email and other applications when I’m the middle of writing. That works for me, but other people may need assistance through apps like Cold Turkey and Anti-Social.
- Set parameters. It’s easy for me to work. It’s hard to leave it behind. Because of that, I set some pretty strict parameters, especially since I’m often at work long before 7 a.m. ever rolls around. For example, I rarely reply to work emails after 5 p.m. Emergencies are one thing, but if it can wait until the morning, I let it wait until the morning. Replying to emails at 10 p.m. will do nothing but keep me awake until 2 a.m. It’s really not worth it. It destroys my ability to function properly the next day.
- Take notes. I take notes by hand. It helps me to recall items easier than saving them in a notes app. Again, this is the method that works for me. If you’re happier and more productive with an app like Evernote, more power to you.
- Use folders. I mean folders in the digital sense, although I use physical folders, too. Folders keep information organized by client and/or subject matter. That way I don’t have to spend a lot of time hunting and pecking for a document.
- Use lists. I set up my to-do lists by day and week. I use a basic notebook, but I’ve enjoyed the 8 For the Day notebook from John Meyer (Lemonly). It features eight slots, of which six are for work and two are for personal goals. I’ve dabbled with Asana. It’s also a choice (among others) when it comes to tracking projects and progress.
- Recap the day. Every day, I sit down and look at what I’ve accomplished. I then write my to-do list for the next day—or week, if it’s Friday. I like the method because a) it gives a sense of accomplishment, and b) it means I’m ready to go in the morning.
- Reward yourself. Every project, no matter how small, should be celebrated when it’s finished. This could mean hopping onto Twitter or reading an article bookmarked earlier in the day. Rewards don’t have to be monetary, but you won’t catch me complaining if the reward’s a new pair of shoes or paying off a debt. The reward simply needs to fit the project. You got a bonus for completing the work ahead of the deadline? If you have the budget, get the new pair of shoes or pay off a bill, whichever is more satisfying.
- Get outside the house. The house is my workplace, but the principle applies wherever you work. Get away from the computer for a while. It’ll stimulate the brain at the very least. Plus, you need to get up every so often. It’s good for your health.
- Remember to play. Play is important. If you don’t believe me, check out this article on adult recess. I love the concept, but, then again, I’m a person who likes to work hard so that I can play hard. I also recommend checking out Ann Kroeker’s #PlayProject. It’ll get you going with setting aside time every day to play.
Let’s show 2016 who’s boss. Take charge of the year with the ten tips above. You’ll increase productivity and get (more) things done.
Image: Brad Greenlee (Creative Commons)