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8 Unique Ways to Increase Productivity
By Todd | November 5, 2007
Do you ever stop and ask yourself: “How productive am I really”?
One thing is for certain: We can all become more prolific in some area, and this article will explore 8 unique exercises and techniques you can begin implementing to increase effectiveness.
Try a few of these out over the next few weeks and let me know how you feel:
1. Manage Your Email and Voicemails Three Times Daily
Constantly being interrupted by a never-ending barrage of emails and phone calls is a sure fire way to diminish your productivity. I highly suggest setting aside three times daily to listen to messages and return emails: first thing in the morning, right after lunch, and before you finish for the day. This way, you create opportunity for yourself to remain “in the flow” while doing the most important things. Remember, almost nothing needs immediate attention!
2. Experiment with Ginkgo Biloba
Although I am not generally a huge fan of supplements, Ginkgo Biloba is a natural remedy that has been used in China and other countries for centuries and has been reputed to reverse memory loss. It’s also suggested by some health practitioners to be a highly effective memory enhancer and has been shown to greatly improve productivity for some people. Because it is a natural and holistic substance, it’s worth giving it a try for a month or two!
3. Work on Crossword Puzzles
This suggestion came to me from a few readers, and I think its excellent practice work on crossword puzzles, Sodoku, or any other mind game that stretches your bandwidth for learning. These games are the equivalent of lifting weights for your brain, and can help you stimulate creativity, increase energy and heighten personal productivity. Give them a try!
4. Use Audio Guidance Sound Technology
The typical human brain emits a frequency of 4-6 megahertz while in deep, dreamless sleep, 6-10 megahertz while dreaming, and 10-14 megahertz while hard at work (or in serious thought). Audio Guidance technology uses sound patterns to purposefully mold brain patterns into preferred frequencies, and is an incredible tool for increasing productivity! I love these methods because they are simple and holistic (I am listening to a guidance CD right now) and for more information about how this works read my article here or visit the Monroe Institute’s website for a more scientific explanation!
5. Ditch the Strict Schedule
Many productivity gurus suggest creating stringent schedules to get things done more efficiently. Although there are certainly times for this, I have found much greater productivity in my “work life” when I loosen the reigns and allow myself to work on projects that are most appealing to me during the present moment. If you start to feel anxious and stressed when working on a task, try switching to something else. Do not force yourself to work on something because your pre-determined schedule says so; in fact, coming back to that project later when you have a more accepting attitude will yield better results.
6. Read GTD
Recently, I read Getting Things Done, or GTD, by David Allen after reading a wonderful review of the book on the blog I Will Change Your Life. You can read the review here, but this book is one of the most comprehensive guides to increasing productivity ever assembled. It is a true masterpiece, and I can almost guarantee you will get something extremely useful out of it!
7. Organize Yourself on Sunday Night
If you are a Monday thru Friday worker, than I highly recommend taking a few hours on Sunday night to prepare for your upcoming week. Establish your weekly targets, create a task list for each day, or review your long-term objectives. Beginning work on Monday morning will feel a whole lot different as you will be able to dig right into the most important duties! Most people do not do this, and I can’t tell you how beneficial this one practice can be for adding efficiency and success to your work life.
8. Use Your Most Productive Hours for Your Most Important Tasks
Some of us are early risers, and others are night owls. If you need time to wake and get started in the day, do NOT attempt to force an early morning deadline into your schedule. Ask yourself these two questions: “what do I need to get done today in order to be most successful?” and “when am I most productive”? Match the answers and focus more on what is important and less on how fast you are going. Spend 20 percent of your day on the most important tasks and you will accomplish 80 percent of your results.
“Getting things done” more efficiently leads to greater success and fulfillment in our lives! We must purposefully entrain ourselves to become more productive, and I hope the 8 tools described in this article are a big help.
Picture above by Mr. Bernie
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Topics: Productivity, Finances, Business, Career |
Hi Todd,
Great article. I agree that anyone who is seriously interested in productivity should read through GTD. It’s one of my favorites.
Posted by: Tristan Loo on November 5th, 2007 at 10:27 amTodd,
This is a great article (and not just because of the link love
).
Can you tell me whats the best way to try Ginkgo Biloba? Will I find it with the vitamins in my health food store?
You have also sparked my curiosity with your description of Audio Guidance Sound Technology - gonna check it out!
Peter
Posted by: Peter on November 5th, 2007 at 10:33 amTHANK you Tristan!
Peter– Gingko is a supplement you can buy in almost any health food store or vitamin shop. It usually comes in pill form but can also be a liquid that you place under the tongue. I highly recommend the pill form and using a reliable manufacturer of products like these.
Try it out for a month, and i bet you notice a difference!
Posted by: Todd on November 5th, 2007 at 11:07 amSome ways I hadn’t thought of! Good job Todd.
Posted by: ZHereford on November 5th, 2007 at 11:42 amThe ginko biloba sounds very interesting.
Peter,
You can get it at the chains (GNC, etc), but it is priced ridiculously expensive. Try to find a Eastern Medicine type store where they carry all the herbs (in NYC, good ones in Chinatown) and it is inexpensive.
Thanks for the great article Todd!
Posted by: Ian on November 5th, 2007 at 11:43 amThanks Todd and Ian. I am fortunate enough to live in a very bohemian part of Vancouver - there are a number of great health food stores close by for me to explore so I’ll keep my eyes out for it.
Posted by: Peter on November 5th, 2007 at 12:34 pmGingko gives me headaches. Watch out as it’s also a blood thinner as is fish oil, Vit E, aspirin.. Don’t want the blood too thin, you can hemorrhage.
Posted by: wamylove on November 5th, 2007 at 12:36 pmThanks Wamy- these things are true, and thats why its important to monitor your individual situation and also do everything in moderation! Thanks for the pointers…
Posted by: Todd on November 5th, 2007 at 2:53 pmtodd
Excellent advice. My wife is reading the David Allen book and it is definitely a worthwhile read. She has told me some of the techniques he suggests using, an I find them very helpful.
Posted by: George on November 7th, 2007 at 12:01 pm[…] to success and fulfillment. To learn more about goal setting and productivity, check out 8 Unique Ways to Increase Productivity and my recent article How To Set Fantastic, Achievable Goals for […]
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