Productivity Tip: Start with Something Big
February 5th, 2010If you’re like me, the first thing you do when you get to work in the morning is check email. Nothing morally wrong with this. Most of us do it. However, it’s a surefire way to get distracted by the urgent and miss what’s most important.
Do you struggle with prioritizing your day? Do you feel like all you do is rush around putting out fires. Do you end the day and wonder, “what exactly did I accomplish?” Then I’d suggest you break this habit asap. Instead begin each morning by devoting one hour to a long term project. Perhaps it’s that presentation you’ve been putting off, the report that’s going to take more than 10 minutes to put to paper, or a desire to get a jump on a new design due today. Whatever the task, the reality is that the fires can wait 60 minutes while you actually get something done. Trust me.
Photo Credit: essecento
4 comments Click to reply »
February 5th, 2010
I find making a list each evening before I leave work that has all that needs to be accomplished the next day a great way to keep focused. I use the lunch hour to catch up on blogging, social media, email, etc. Love this site and am new. Excited to learn what this site offers that the others don’t. Nice look and feel for sure.
February 6th, 2010
Great idea Rah-Shel. I’m sure that it helps making the list the night before. That way you’re sitting there completely chill and unbiased and able to say, “Okay this is what’s important.”
May 25th, 2010
Hi Ted, I would really appreciate if you could make the link to my photostream working.
I’m “essecento”, owner of the photo you used for this article.
Pls check out the link to the photostream since clicking on “essecento” the result is a jump into… your homepage.
P.S.: Would be great if you could advise before using.
May 25th, 2010
Hey Simone,
Sorry I didn’t realize that link wasn’t working. It should be good to go now. Thanks!
-Brett