8 Tips For A Focused, Productive Day

If I take these steps my day is focused and productive. Always.

Each step I skip, in turn, lowers my focus and productivity.

I hope they help immediately or spur you to find what works for you. And if you have some others, share them here, please. We all need all the help from each other.

* Prepare the Day Before

Well-begun is half done. And the day is best begun on the day before. That's when I review what I accomplished today and prepare what I need and what I want to accomplish tomorrow.

Each day I prepare a list of to-do's for tomorrow. 5-8 in total usually. No more than three as top priority, must-do, day is unfulfilled if I fail to finish them.

* Go to Bed Early.

I sleep better when I go to bed earlier. Always have. Sleep comes faster, deeper, when I go to sleep before I am exhausted. Always has. If I sleep sooner, deeper, longer...I am a happy man the next day. Always.

* Exercise Early

I'm not so good on this one. But when I am I am so much more productive. (But how do I see all those great games at night...?)

* Start Early.

I am more focused, get more done, the earlier I start. I am fresher, clearer, happier, less distracted early in the morning. On these early mornings I usually hit the desk typing or the phone calling. And with enthusiasm of the real and natural kind.

The previous three steps are important, obviously.

* 90 Minute Blocks.

I started organizing my day into 90-minute blocks after talking with Matthew May, author of The Shibumi Strategy: A Powerful Way to Create Meaningful Change.

His advice on this was timely. I had been working out how to stay focused through the day, especially when the day was spent so intently creating, writing, editing. 4 hours was too long. 2 hours....I was distracted at the end. But, 90 minutes....that was just right.

Thank you, Matt!

* 19-Minute segments

I set up 3-4 projects to work on within those 90-minute segments. I go back and forth as I run into obstacles or out of steam. I stay fresher, more productive, the solutions come faster.

Now I read where there is research that supports this approach. You can't multi-task, so stop trying.

First, make an effort to do tasks one at a time. Stick with one item until completion if you can. If attention starts to wane (typically after about 18 minutes), you can switch to a new task, but take a moment to leave yourself a note about where you were with the first one. Then give the new task your full attention, again for as long as you can.

Thank you, David Zinger, for the link to that article.

* Move Around Throughout the Day.

I always, always, find an answer pops up just as I walk away for a few minutes. Maybe the answer's to a pressing issue. Maybe it's to a long-standing question. Or maybe it is that the issue was not an issue, at all, and I can let it go.

* Eat Lunch

My wife and I make lunch our biggest meal. It fuels the rest of the day, lets us sleep better, keeps the weight down. And I get to have dessert at lunch.

That's about it. What are your tips? How do you stay focused and productive during the day?

 

Comments

[snoring aid]

Your article is very informative. It encourage the reader how to manage their time and have a healthy lifestyle and avoid unnecessary aspects. Thank you for the tips.