A number of my coaching clients are in the middle of significant increased amounts of ‘to do lists’. The projects in which they are involved are increasing and resource stays the same.
Perhaps you have found yourself there too, feeling the squeeze of pressure to achieve more, complete more. Yet the distractions are many, meetings multiply, unanswered messages mount up.
Having noticed many in this place their real productive progress they make is, at best, partial.
Here is a simple tip to boost your productivity. And with simple tips, they are easy to agree with, and easy to leave alone. If you need it, do it!
For the next two weeks take the following first action steps of a morning.
- Pause for 10 minutes, i.e. sit at rest, no electronic distractions (see newsletter Pause for extra help here)
- Of all the things you’ve got to do what 3 things (no more, no less) would you really like to progress or complete today (and they don’t even have to be deadline dependent)?
- Write them down on the back of one of your business cards; keep this card with you all day.
This is your absolute focus. Irrespective of the meetings in your schedule, the calls you make or take the 3 things on the card are your purpose for the day. Your day is not over till they are done. If you complete them early (and do not resist that happening), enjoy the rest of the day in a relaxed state of ‘completion’. Anything else you get done is purely a bonus.
Repeat for a concerted period of time (minimum 10 working days, maximum 20). You will have completed between 30 and 60 significant productivity steps, and I am convinced you would not achieve this number without this sort of focus.
Good luck and keep me informed.
Simon