I have been unfortunately blessed with the natural ability of being unproductive.
You may well suffer yourself from this affliction. Over the years I have learnt how to combat this profit sucking virus and you will be pleased to know that whilst there is no known cure for #Unproductivitis, I have devised a 7 step management programme that will help you overcome this debilitating ailment.
Below you will find a list of the 7 most practical solutions I have found to blast my productivity through the roof. This has enabled me to run my business more efficiently and profitably, and I am free to now truly enjoy the fruits of my labour… more fun and family TIME.
Remember "Time is money".1. The List
The simple 'to-do list' has been the most valuable piece of arsenal that aided my #Unproductivitis recovery.
At the end of each working day I set aside time to plan an hour by hour schedule for each of the following day's tasks.
The key is to be realistic.
This simple 'to-do list' ensures that I stay focussed and more importantly keep to time each day.
2. Snooze Button (do not press!)
My day starts at 6am.
Needless to say I'm getting more tasks done than these 8am slackers ;)
3. Email/Social Diet
I only check my email twice a day.
I check my inbox at 10am (for early morning/pressing emails) and at 3pm (I've got kids to collect you know).
"James got to stop you there. What if the email's urgent and needs actioning straight away?" ---> If it's urgent they will have my phone number. Simple.
I used to be so frickin' social it used to suck hours out of my day. I was the King of real time reaction to the whole shebang. Now? I login exclusively via Twitter.com and make every second count. "Time is money".
4. Dual Screen Heaven
Simply setting up an additional monitor has reduced my #Unproductivitis symptoms by at least 50%.
From Skype calls to research, using two monitors makes life just plain easier. No more flicking between tabs or resizing windows on the internet for me now.
5. Outsourcing (AKA Buying Expertise)
Remember point No.1 regarding 'to-do' lists and time allocations for tasks?
Sometimes you just hit a brick wall (lack of technical knowledge, lack of confidence or even just the good old mental block are all symptoms to look out for) with certain tasks
"Great idea James, but that's going to cost money?" ---> True, buts it's more than likely costing you the same amount of money in wasted time anyway. Get the experts in!
6. Fresh Air & Cucumber Sandwiches
- Power off
- Log off
- Close the door
- Eat lunch
- Enough said
7. Punch Bag
A particularly challenging symptom that is unique to #Unproductivitis is the inability to maintain perspective and keep restraint when faced with obnoxious/irritating/just plain rude inbound communications (ie, emails and tweets).
Unfortunately, the often suggested remedies of yoga positions, meditation and herbal teas to induce zen like state will not treat this symptom. Instead, identify an appropriate inanimate object to vent your frustrations upon physically.
The above action will save you:
a.) approximately sixty minutes of misdirected energy use.
b.) Infinite amounts of untangling/grovelling/undoing following a hasty reply to said inbound comms.
