subject: Productivity And Time Management [print this page] Being truly productive requires more than just time management.
You're probably wondering what kind of lettuce I've been smoking to write this in an article focused on productivity and time management.
I am referring to time management in a classic sense. Finishing what you want to get done faster. This may seem ideal, but you may not be as truly productive as you had hoped.
True success comes from identifying what is most important, and working, without distraction, until it is done.
The uninterrupted part is the toughest, by far. It's SO easy and tempting to check your email, answer the phone, respond to an instant message, or click over to a website.
However, if you can work through your distractions, you will be far more productive, and get more work done in less time.
This works because your are taking care of what is most important first. Not the most urgent task, or the easiest one - but the most important one. Long lists often leave you with lots to do, without focusing on what really needs to get done.
The 80/20 principle shows that 80% of your end result comes from only 20% of what you do. If you work on what is important first, you are making the most of what you do.
By prioritizing, you will get whats most important done first, and in less time than you would have if you had tried to accomplish several goals at once.
It is surprising how much faster you can get something done when you are free of distractions and interruptions.
I hadn't realized this until I started using time management software to measure the amount of active working time I was spending on work items. Sadly, items would often sit on my "to do" list all week, where I'd get to them on the weekend.
Without distractions, you can truly focus and get more done.
Without distractions and interruptions, many of you goals can be accomplished in under an hour. A lot more than you would think.
So try this exercise tomorrow - pick one thing, and work on it until it's done. No distractions, and no excuses. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish. Time tracking software can help.
