I tend to be in a constant game of tug of war when it comes to being productive. On one hand, productivity is one of those things that we should all utilize to accent our strengths and downplay our weaknesses. Using a system that works for us allows us to get more done in a shorter amount of time. Finding exactly what that system is, however, can be rather elusive. A lot of people advocate writing a “to do” list for each particular day, but will that keep you focused and working throughout your work day? Maybe you prefer to be a bit more spontaneous? You don’t want to be a robot, constantly caring for nothing but efficiency (and we like to have fun too, don’t we?), but you don’t want to be a slacker either, always getting sideswiped by some important item you missed and should have completed an hour ago.
The solution? Tailor something to fit your needs! Here’s some ideas:
- Pick and Choose: There are a ton of systems, methods, and ideas for organizing and making your life run more smoothly. The most famous hub of these ideas can be found at lifehacker, but you’ll also want to examine others as well such as Zen to Done and The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People. Look at all sorts of different methodologies, and picks out what works for you while eliminating what doesn’t.
- Be Commited:NOTHING will work if you don’t exercise the willpower and discipline to stick to being organized. Don’t make yourself miserable, but there will inevitably be some growing pains along the way when trying something new. Stick to it!
- Reap The Rewards: Set goals for yourself. Don’t be productive for the sake of being productive, that’s just busy work. Maybe you want a promotion, maybe you’re interested in developing new streams of income, or perhaps you just want to do more in less time. Track your progress so that you can make adjustments as necessary.
In a later post I’ll be sure to address and explain my own system of organization!