Tweaks for productivity TO-DO freaks

Always make a To-DO list, even for small stuff.

Always make a To-DO list, even for small stuff.

This will probably annoy you so much you will do 3 little things just to you don't have to write it.

Score the to-do list with a number of urgency (1-9). Nine being the most.

Do one to-do item 9 early in the morning. You have then the most brain power to do complicated tasks. This will make it easier to do.

Most of the time, you will also find out it wasn't a 9, to begin with.

Reward yourself with a 15-minute break, a walk, and coffee. Then grab 3 small items or 2 medium items for the day.

Unless it is absolutely necessary, leave it with that. Consistency is more important than forcing everything on the first day.

Before you finish the day, get additional information for 1-2 heavy or urgent matters.

It would be disappointing to start a task you postponed for a while only to find out you lacked the necessary inputs.

Send out the report that you finished the task. Don't apologize; just state the fact it was finished. Apologizing takes time, energy and makes you look weak. Unless the other party explicitly says you were late or upped the urgency, explaining why it took so long is unnecessary.

When you post the report, try to make it detailed. Show all the little steps necessary to complete. Even sending emails, examining documentation, preparing drafts, revising drafts, preparing second drafts, finalizing drafts, sending out...

You get the picture. If it takes you a lot of time, write the report longer. If you know, the recipient will value the fulfillment, write the report longer, even if it takes 5 minutes.

Make sure you let your brain and body rest when they work hard. 45 min hard work, 15 min break. It is more efficient than trying to force it.

If you are pressed with several high-stakes tasks in a day, take at least 1 break of an hour you take a walk. Keep that blood circulating. It will get the job finished faster.

Trust me. I caught myself once staring at a computer for 2 hours.

I walked home for 15 minutes, sat in front of my home computer, and did the task in 15 minutes. Never underestimate the power of the break.

That's it for this week, Tweaky Tuesday.