Our brains deal with a lot of information on a daily basis and our attention span is decreasing. Sometimes even the basic tasks aren’t completed because we get distracted by other things. Having a detailed calendar can help you stay focused on the tasks you have to complete. [Read more…] about How a Daily Routine Calendar Can Help you Avoid Distractions – A Guest Post by Amira Chuganova
productivity
Tips to Increase Work Productivity – A Guest Post by Amira Chugunova
Work load is increasing while hours in a day remain unchanged. Employees are struggling trying to complete more work in short amount of time and still exceed the expectations. The question that every person has, regardless of their job description, is how to increase work productivity.
1. Plan and Encourage Ideas
Your first step forward should be planning. There are some people who don’t require this step, but planning is generally the time where you consider ideas, conduct research, work on details and have enough time to process your results. This can apply to managing, writing, designing, marketing, coding, etc.
Planning requires detailed task description and steps to reach your final goal. Instead of using lists, it might be helpful to switch to mind mapping. Maps seem to be a more interactive organization tool. They are great for brainstorming and visually presenting steps of the process needed to reach your goals.
Brainstorming is important in any business since it encourages creativity and increases chances of pursuing great ideas. From this flow of ideas, pick the ones worth implementing into your workflow.
2. Use Your Past Work
To complete your tasks faster you can always use your past experiences and work accomplishments. If you know you’ve made a similar template before and you’re working on a task right now that could use the same template, there is no reason to waste your time and re-create your own work. You should build on your past successes to become more efficient and productive.
With this in mind, work on current tasks knowing that you might use this sometimes in the future. Save your tasks in related work folders where you can easily access them when needed. Recognize the patterns in your work and see if you can speed up your work process by using your pervious work. This includes templates, research on related topics, repeated or similar codes, etc.
3. Have a Designated Work Area
Working at home has its perks especially if it saves hours of your daily commute. However, working at home can also be distracting if you don’t have an appropriate work setting. You might take much more time to complete work simply because you are more relaxed and “at home”.
This issue can be tackled by having a designated work area. Also, you should do your regular work preparation, except the unpleasant commute part and maybe without your work suite and uncomfortable work shoes. The rest should be your “going to work” routine. If you cannot work without getting your hair done, this might just be a winning point to make your day more productive.
Also, setting deadlines throughout your day will help you focus on task completion. You can use mind mapping for this. In case if you have to complete a personal task, you can work your way around it and even use it as your check point for completing steps towards your end goal.
These three tips address some common issues with work productivity. You can apply some of these to get you started on being more productive, but as you see progress, you can add personalized productive tips. For example, some people find music to help them focus better and be more productive while others need complete silence for best productivity. Find your own productive headspace and be more efficient by implementing these steps into your daily work schedule.
Amira Chugunova is a business and technology blogger with an interest in Lean BPM pioneer, JobTraQ.
Four Business Owners Share their Morning Routines
If you work from home, having a morning routine is important – your morning routine often sets the tone for your entire day. Morning routines should include the things you do to get ready for your day, like showering and getting dressed, and eating a good breakfast. They can also include other things like meditation and working out. For this post, I asked about people’s morning routines, what they consist of and why they’re important. Here’s what four entrepreneurs had to say:
Q. Do you have a morning routine? If so what is it?
A. Elinor Cohen (Business Coach & Marketing Strategist)
I wake up at 6 am every day and I meditate for 20 minutes.
I start out by saying “thank you” for all that I am grateful for that morning.
I set an intention for my mediatation – something I want to achieve that day or in the coming weeks.
After meditation, I journal about what I felt and anything that came up during my meditation.
After meditating, I go running for at least 40 minutes.
When I come back I take a tablespoon of Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and an 8oz. bottle of water.
Shower.
Begin the day.
A. David Leonhardt (President, THGM Writers)
I start the day by stretching, and often doing some other quick exercise, such as push-ups. I find that this helps me move quickly from semi-comatose to semi-awake. It allows me to get moving faster, on to shaving and other personal care, getting the kids ready for school (or at least dragging them off their beds) and out the door.
A. Phil Turner (The 5 Currencies Guy)
I try to get up at 5, but it usually slips to 5.30 or later. I aim to be sitting at the computer by 6am. Unfortunately I am a bit OCDish, so I have to check emails etc before I start work. – Usually ready to work by 6.40.
I get a solid hour in, then breakfast some time between 8 and 9, I also try to fit a 3 mile walk in between 7 and 9 – exactly when depends on the weather. Then anther hour’s writing before the baby comes in to fall sleep watching me in his buggy (step-daughter’s child – 9 months).
the rest of the morning is spent ducking between emails and work
A. Don Sturgill (I write. You win.)
I’m the kind of guy who can quickly forget where he’s headed and why. I can go to the grocery store for eggs and come back with several sacks full of everything but eggs.
A few years back, I helped an SBA/SBDC business incubator team figure out how to get more clients. My job was to build a bridge between the community and the facility. My research showed that what people really needed was a way to get some hope back. Good ideas were abundant, but self-confidence and clear direction were lacking.
I searched through motivational courses galore, but none fit the need. Finally, I wrote s program called the DIIP (sounds like “the deep”). I began using the system myself and saw incredible change happen quickly. I realized that doing the DIIP in the morning helped me remember who I am and where I’m headed. So that’s been my daily practice ever since. And it’s still paying off!
Staying on track is invaluable. Here’s where to get a copy of the DIIP (free) for yourself: The DIIP.
Q. How does your morning routine help you be more productive throughout the day?
A. Elinor Cohen (Business Coach & Marketing Strategist)
When I start the day with gratitude, intention and focusing on my inner wisdom (meditation), I feel that my day is ‘in the flow’ and that I am exactly where I need to be and I accompllish exactly what I need to accomplish. I feel relaxe, full of motivation and I am able to hash out alot of work at my desk.
When I run, I focus on my body, I move it past its comfort zone and I detox by sweating – this helps me gain clarity and confidence about making decisions throughout the day.
A. David Leonhardt (President, THGM Writers)
I find that I am more energized when I start the day off physically. I also find that I am more likely to take physical breaks during the day when I follow this routine. In fact, on the days when I have the most difficulty waking up, I often stop after stretching. Those are the days I most need to be energized – that is somewhat ironic.
A. Phil Turner (The 5 Currencies Guy)
IF I can make myself get up at 4am, I get 3 hours’ work done before 9am, but this doesn’t happen very often. I have to balance the need to work with the need to sleep and exercise. I know my mornings are my creative time, so I try to limit non-creative work to the afternoons or evenings.
A. Don Sturgill (I write. You win.)
By staying focused on my most important tasks, I don’t spin my wheels chasing butterflys and rainbows.
It’s easy to get stuck on a sideroad. I don’t want to do that. Time is much too valuable.
By doing the DIIP every morning, I get started on the shortest path to my goals.
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How to Write by Hand Faster
If you do a lot of writing, you may occasionally find you have to write by hand – maybe your laptop or smart phone is low on juice, or you don’t have them available and you want to jot down a quick note. It’s much more difficult for most people to write by hand as quickly as they type or speak though. Luckily there are things you can do that will help you write by hand faster – this post will provide some tips. [Read more…] about How to Write by Hand Faster
10 Tips to Increase Business Productivity – A Guest Post by Mark Stubbles
Productivity requires a combination of great planning and effort, maintaining productivity can be a real challenge for the self employed and small business owner. Our efforts are constantly needed. Fortunately, productivity can be improved and be maintained by following some basic steps.
If you run a business and want to improve your productivity, here are a few simple tips that you can follow: [Read more…] about 10 Tips to Increase Business Productivity – A Guest Post by Mark Stubbles