4 Tips on Becoming a Powerhouse of Personal Productivity
It never fails. You begin Monday mornings (and probably Saturday mornings too) with the best of intentions. Complete every project on your to-do list and get a head start on Tuesday’s tasks. But the best of intentions does nary a productive printer make.
Willpower and determination alone won’t make a day at the office any more efficient—although that will help. No, the best tools for personal productivity involve time management and self-motivation strategy. Read on to learn more. Then get back to work.
Top of Mind / Top of the List
Just as your printing company’s marketing strategy or web design needs to begin with your goal in mind, it’s best practice for productivity’s sake to begin every workday with your goals at the forefront.
So before the craziness commences, take a few minutes to think about major tasks that need to be finished. What projects are nagging you? How can you delegate to clear your plate of distractions? What tasks will give you the greatest satisfaction once finished? Chances are those are most important. Ask yourself these questions every morning to kick your day into high gear.
Reply All, or Not at All
Email is a voracious time-eater. Checking it throughout the day invites constant interruptions and pulls you away from high-priority tasks. So schedule time once or twice a day to read and respond to email, then cut yourself off. Disable desktop notifications that alert you of every single email message (what a terrible idea). Don’t reply more than twice to an email either—use the phone instead.
Get your email habit under control and your to-dos will be far more doable.
Get Up & Get Going
We know it’s hard to walk away from your desk when projects keep piling up, but breaking for five to ten minutes once an hour will help you get more done in the long run. Short, regular breaks recharge your brain. Take a brisk walk or eat a light snack. This self-preservation technique will help you stave off burnout and keep performance levels up.
Team Up
Finally, get your printing company’s employees on board so that your team doesn’t distract you. Block out time each day to ban interruptions that kill productivity streaks. Don’t accept meeting requests during this allotted time. Turn the ringer on your cell off—and don’t peek at it. Close your office door and, if needed, post a sign alerting staff that you’re too busy for a “quick question.”
Besides helping you crank out more work, getting your employees involved in your mission for greater personal productivity will serve as a good example. Let’s hope they follow suit.
What are the biggest time-wasters that dominate (or used to dominate) your workday? How do you eliminate them?
Cover Image via Public Speaking International
By clicking and submitting a comment I acknowledge the Printing Hub Policy and agree to the Printing Hub Terms of Use. I understand that my comments are also being governed by Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, or Hotmail’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policies as applicable, which can be found here.