Hi,

Peak productivity means being able to manage your time and workload effectively, this means keeping away from time suckers (like the TV) and focusing on getting the things that need to get done.

I have several tips for you to achieve peak productivity, again these can be used to run your own internet business or in the professional world if you’re working.

1. Work on a single task at a time.  Although we are living in a multi-tasking world, multi-tasking isn’t always the best solution.  There is a post over at Tim Garys website called “Multitasking Makes You Stupid and Slow” – it does lead you to another post, but the time spent reading will open your eyes.  You should always work on the one task that will provide the greatest benefit/value or highest possible return.

   Example – as a Director of Operations I’m faced with dozens of little tasks every day, I need to prioritize these tasks otherwise I’d be spinning my wheels all day.  As I evaluate each task, I decide what will give me the greatest benefit and what will benefit my department the most and then work on those tasks.  An example could be working on process re-engineering versus approving refunds.  I can prioritize and in fact can delegate the refund approval process but I can not delegate the task or process re-engineering.  The re-engineering will net me and my team greater value than spending my time approving refunds.  See what I mean?

2. Stick with the task at hand!  This comes back to multi-tasking.  Complete the task, no matter how difficult or unpleasent it is.  This will require strong will on your part, but in the end the payoff is worth it.
3. Go to the next most important item on your list, focus on that task 100% before going onto the next item and so on.
4. Work on those tasks that will bring unique value.  Delegate the rest of the tasks.  This form of leverage can be very effective.

   Think of it this way.  As you were putting yourself through school, did you spend time worrying about cutting the lawn or other “chores”?  You probably wanted to spend the maximum amount of time on your studies, so it was acceptable to hire the neighbors kid to cut your lawn…  I see it this way as well.  Isn’t my time more valuable doing something productive which will bring me value or should I use my time to do something that I could pay someone $5/hr or even $10/hr to do for me?  I think the answer is obvious.

5. Transform downtime into productive time.  What is the time you are at your peak productivity?  Mine is early morning.  Do your most demanding tasks during this time, then use other less productive time to perhaps brainstorm new product ideas, following up on e-mails or comments on your blog or if you work then use this time to complete pending phone calls or schedule meetings during this time.

I have several more peak productivity tips, and will share them with you over the next few days.

Regards,

Technorati Tags: Internet Business, internet marketing, Personal Productivity

Hi,

As I was going through some old posts, I realized that I’d left my efficiency tips several posts ago!  So let me get back on track with some new tips that I’ll share with you over the next few days.

Getting A Head Start

Starting the day off, especially when you run your own business — and it’s at home can be a difficult task.  At the end of the day, put together a to-do list of what you’d like to get done the next day.  Spending 10 or 15 minutes on this list will ensure that when you start your day you’re already focused insted of “stumbling” and deciding on what needs to be done.  The goal is to use your time wisely.

As you prepare your to-do list, use a day planner or other type of bound journal.  This way you have a permanent record of what you’ve worked on.  Sometimes great ideas come about by reviewing what you’ve done and noticing something that doesn’t fit quite right and developing the one product to make things right – make sense?

But getting a head start comes with somethings that need to be done first – that being, keeping your desk and work area clean so that at the end of the day your mind isn’t filled with random thoughts – but with a list of what needs to be tackled the next day and when you start your day you are greeted with a “clean slate”. 

Have a quick read of my post “How To Stay Organized” and then Getting A Head Start will make more sense.

As you write your to-do list, don’t worry about prioritizing the list right now.  Just write it down.  As you work through the list then look at those tasks that you just hate to do.  It may be writing blog posts for several days, or preparing your article submissions — and ensure that you complete these tasks first.  Get stuff you don’t like or that is tedious out of the way first, then you’ll enjoy getting to the rest of your to-do list.

Finally a few final points for you:

1. Just DO IT!  Don’t waste time procastinating about what to do, and lounging around.  Do it, and get it done.  ACT!
2. BE punctual – 98% of the people out there are always late.  Having an Asian/Indian background, whenever we went to visit anyone we always worked on “Indian Time” — which meant you had to be fashionably late.  However I always hated being late and would have preferred to be on time, all the time.  Going to work, I like to be early so that I can sit down and plan my day.  If I’ve got a meeting to attend, I tend to be there early.  Why be late?
3. Start EARLY in the morning.  You would be amazed at how much work you can get done early in the morning.  I tend to start work around 6:00am — those first 2-3 hours are magic!  I can get 2x or 3x the work done in those first few hours than I can the rest of the day.  During the day, time vampires are out to suck my productivity; unfortunately due to the nature of business I am in it goes with the territory. 
4. Close the door.  If you are working from home, and there are others in the house — when you’re working, close the door.  This will prevent interruptions and allow you to concentrate on getting the job done.
5.  Think POSITIVE!  Finally start each task on your list on a positive note.  You will be surprised how much you will get done throughout the day when  you start each task on a positive note!

Giving yourself a head start will ensure that you complete the tasks that you’ve set for yourself for the day. 

Regards,

Technorati Tags: Internet Business, internet marketing, Personal Productivity

Hi,

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned the gigabytes of stuff I picked up over the years.  I picked up one GREAT document – however there is no header/footer in it so I don’t know where I bought or downloaded it from – but it contains many GREAT effeciency tips to keep you organized.

I’ll be posting many of these great tips on a regular basis using the great attention getting title, which by the way rates a score of 413 in Glyhpius.

Get More Accomplished in a Lot Less Time!

Accept the fact that there is not enough time to do everything.  You need to concentrate on the work that is important.  As you focus on the important things in your business and personal life, you will be making the greatest contribution since you are using your time wisely.

That being said, you need to keep your mind relaxed and calm.  This will help you stay focused on what is important.  If you are working at home, you need a quiet zone where you can work without being interrupted and where you can ignore everything else.

You can control your mental state, but not letting outside pressures get to you.  Understand what needs to be done, then do it n a calm, relaxed and self-assured manner.

Regards,

Mohamed

Technorati Tags: Internet Business, Personal Productivity, time management