Ever get stuck in this Bermuda Triangle of Productivity?
What are your best tips for escaping alive? Share in the comments and help someone else escape!
Credit http://ilovecharts.tumblr.com/post/2433396662
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Ever get stuck in this Bermuda Triangle of Productivity?
What are your best tips for escaping alive? Share in the comments and help someone else escape!
Credit http://ilovecharts.tumblr.com/post/2433396662
I think we are all in the same boat when it comes to productivity, the overwhelming tasks of running a business, and social media. By the way, “boat” goes well with the Bermuda Triangle phrase, doesn’t it :) Anyway, some things that work for me are dividing goals into smaller pieces, and doing specific tasks each day. That way you don’t feel overwhelmed by a huge project you don’t look forward to starting. Just do smaller steps, and before you know it, your project is completed.
As far as social media activity, I give myself a certain amount of time to socialize, share information and see what’s happening. Then I do my other tasks. After a few hours I come back to check my social media accounts. I don’t have them open all day.
first — LOVE this image! And this is exactly how I feel about — like getting sucked into an eddy you can’t row out of! Over the past few weeks, I have been trying to get on some sort of “work my business(es)” schedule including networking with other bloggers and such. I am starting to use an egg timer when it comes to facebook and twitter — I am guilty of leaving one window open with them (a habit I am trying to break LOL) I am trying to schedule in daily tasks, weekly and bi-weekly tasks as well as monthly tasks. For me, I have learned I work best with a planner of some sort that is not on the computer (who knew haha). Right now I have a weekly planner that I keep open to the week I am on and I can check off things as I do them. I am investing in a daily planner that I am giving myself for a Christmas gift, too. I use a dry erase board for a monthly calendar too, but that seems to be mostly for “family” stuff. :)
Now if I can only get the family to coordinate with my “work my biz” schedule, I know I would be able to get so much more done. :) I’ve been doing a majority of the “big” things I need to do while the older kids (my teenagers) are in school and the baby is napping during the day and then I catch up on email, read and listen to webinars during the late night hours when the house is quiet.
I do agree with Sherry about dividing goals and projects into smaller pieces. It does make checking off your list so much less daunting! and it is an awesome feeling to see that you are actually getting things done ;)
Michelle- you always think of the best blog post ideas. :) One of the best productivity tips I use is to work in blocks of time. Usually I work for 50 minutes, take a break, and then get back to work. My schedule is flexible, and when I travel it changes, but this type of schedule keeps me focused. Otherwise I’ll jump from task to task and not accomplish anything.
I LOVE that idea Lisa! I do exactly that – jump all over. After yoga this morning Im going to block my day out! Thanks for sharing!!
One advice that really works (and which I owe to a very productive lady online entrepreneur) is:
When you go to your (home) office, DON’T get involved with emails (ok, you can check for that super-urgent message you were expecting, but that’s all), social media, etc.
During the first 3 or 4 hours, get down to doing what will bring in the money: the article or sales page your client expects, the video you want to shoot and upload, the ebook you are working on.
Then, you can be social, get informed, or anything.
Just remember, it is not soooo big deal, if you open your twitter account 3 or 4 hours later. Really.
You know my favorite productivity tip Michelle ;) Hourly breaks do wonders for me. I feel most struggle with the productivity thing because they move quickly from inspiration to desperation. Taking breaks helps you pull back, relax, and approach your work with a sense of lightness, a sense of calm. This vibe instantly helps you generate creative ideas, which help you accomplish more effective acts with less effort. Thanks!
RB
I try to prioritise my work schedule, but often get sidetracked.
I have a new gravatar pic Michelle. Radu Dascalul of radudascalul.com showed me how to use it.
Hope you had a great weekend.
Your friend across the pond
David
I love this visual image. It describes perfectly where I get stuck sometimes. I write lists so I can check off accomplishments. It gives me validation that not all my time is lost in the Bermuda Triangle. And something recent that helps is cooking! A nice offline activity with something tangible at the end–food!
My advice is: make up a rule such as 30/30/30 (min per day on Facebook/Twitter/Linkedin). Stick to it!
My bermuda triangle is my google reader :)
But when I need to work, I turn off everything – no email, no nothing and just get to it, with my timer ticking next to me keeping me focussed.