- Stay in the moment: Have specific goals for the day and the week. Goals that reach out too far beyond that timeline are either an actual project, which is managed differently, or are long-term goals that are subject to reality adjustments.
- Complete the most important task first, then the second most important, and so on. (Thank you, Stephen Covey.) Don’t respond to urgent tasks unless you absolutely have to, stay focused on the next task you need to do to complete your priorities. Most interruptions are allowed, not imposed.
- Its ok to say “not now” or even, “no.” Get comfortable not reading every email or returning every call. We all want to be respected and probably, to one extent or another, liked, but working on everyone else’s priorities typically results in not completing your own. Note, this is not an excuse to be unprofessional or rude.
- Stay in touch with your network. This might not sound like a productivity issue but it is. Taking the time to keep relationships solid will produce dividends the next time you have to “beg off” helping someone or the next time you need “an extra set of eyes or hands.” I can get through anything with enough solid relationships; it’s tough going when you’re isolated and alone.
- There is no such thing as multi-tasking. Complete one task at a time. If your boss or client is trying to multi-task, such as listening to you and read emails at the same time, make an excuse and come back when you can have their full attention.
- Sometimes “B” grade work is really an “A” grade work. What I mean is don’t try to do everything perfectly; it increases your odds of failing or burning out. Know when you must give 100% and when it is wiser to give 85% of your best.
- Set up a production run. When I research companies or make phone calls, I do it in bunches for as long as I’m productive. That allows me to get a rhythm going. In college I worked in a machine shop, I used to get everything set up perfectly and then run 500-5,000 parts through without interruption…The boss loved me.
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