Top Productivity Tips
There are dozens of points that could rightly be classified as “top productivity tips.”
Here are 6 that are worth highlighting, which for a time I kept on a checklist in the back of my planner (back before going fully digital; I added number 5 just now to expand on the main intention behind point 4):
- Rise early
- Start with the most important tasks
- Do not multi-task (unless the nature of the task is to multi-task)
- Prevent interruptions (but make time for people)
- Organize your time into the largest continuous blocks possible
- Actually do what you need to do
What would your top tips be?
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About Matt Perman
Follower of Christ. Husband of one, father of three. Director of strategy at Desiring God. This blog exists to help equip Christians in good works, because that's what productivity is really about.
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Matt,
I sometimes have work assignments that I believe I could finish in a short amount of time (say, 1 to 2 hours), but also could take a longer amount of time if I dally, perfect, hone, etc.
If I deem an assignment to not be worthy of extended work, I set a deadline for myself, an hour or an hour and a half, and work to get the assignment done in that amount of time.
This helps me use the time well, concentrate my energy. It is also easy to say “I am perfecting this assignment, doing it with excellence” when in reality I am wasting time.
Good post: I look forward to talking next week.
I’ll have to read your related posts. My responses are in all capitals because I don’t know how to make them show up differently.
1. Rise early THIS IS EASY FOR ME.
2. Start with the most important tasks IT’S ALL IMPORTANT–WHERE TO I START? ELIZABETH GEORGE SUGGESTS ASKING YOUR HUSBAND WHAT HE WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO TODAY (DOESN’T WORK IF YOU’RE A FELLOW, I CAN DO IT, BUT I KEEP FORGETTING TO ASK HIM)
3. Do not multi-task (unless the nature of the task is to multi-task) TOO MANY CHOICES, REFER TO NUMBER 2.
4. Prevent interruptions (but make time for people) SO HARD TO DO–I’D ALMOST SAY IMPOSSIBLE WHEN KIDS ARE LIVING AT HOME WITH YOU DURING THE DAY –WHETHER HOMESCHOOLING OR SUMMER BREAK.
5. Organize your time into the largest continuous blocks possible MORE INFO ON THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
6. Actually do what you need to do
Thanks for taking the time to run this helpful blog…
After #1 I add PRAY. I commit my day to the Lord, asking for His wisdom and discernment and strength and joy. I confess my desire to give him the glory in my day – whether changing diapers, teaching spelling, speaking with clients, etc. When that doesn’t happen I frequently find myself “spinning my wheels” and losing focus and shifting my priorities out of their proper alignment!
Could it be the fact I’m reading this would be evidential to I’m not doing #2-6?
Joe,
No way!
Seriously, though, rightly used, I would give high importance to the personal development and other value that comes from reading blogs — as long as it is intentional and doesn’t become an excuse for procrastination.
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