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We are all given the same 24 hours each day – yet some people manage to create, build and in general get a lot more shit done than others, how is that possible?
How are some people winners?
It all comes down to productivity.
I’ve read a lot of books, articles and tried many different methods to increase my productivity – certain things work for some people, while they don’t work for others.
Today I’d like to give you a few proven, key methods to increase your productivity and become an ultra producer.
Ultra Producer #1 - Eliminate Any & All Distractions
A study conducted by Microsoft suggests that it takes an individual roughly 25 minutes to get back on track after a distraction, during an average 9 – 5 work day the majority of individuals spend 2 hours wasted on distractions.
Distractions are literally everywhere, you may very well be distracted while reading this article!
The main productivity killers include:
- Brief conversations
- TV
- Radio
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Surfing the web
Mental wanderings are also a major productivity killer, as I’m writing this article I’m in the zone – my mind is focused on the task at hand, as opposed to that argument I had earlier today, or what I’m having for my next meal.
None of that matters right now, because I’m fixated on the task at hand.
Obviously you need to make phone calls, reply to emails, text messages and the like – but I recommend scheduling a set time during the day to take care of all these matters.
Pencil in an hour in the morning, followed by a quick scan of your email inbox and any messages at the end of the day.
Continual checking is a distraction and a timewaster – nothing good comes from it.
Ultra Producer #2 - Forget about Multitasking
For some reason multitasking is often considered to be a trait that the most productive people possess, writing a report while on the phone to your boss – how efficient right?
Wrong!
Multiple studies performed on multitasking indicate that it indeed is inefficient due to a decrease in mental sharpness and overall just results in more wasted time.
Notice those people that pride themselves on their multitasking ability are generally very stressed and on-edge? Don’t put yourself through that.
Instead of multitasking I recommend performing 1 thing at a time, or batch tasking.
Batch tasking involves performing multiple instances of the same task in one sitting, for example I’ve written 2 other articles before writing this particular article… because once you’re in the zone it’s far easier and more efficient to stay in the zone then to perform 1 task, perform a different task and then attempt to go back to the first task.
Give one task your 100% focus.
Ultra Producer #3 – Eat Well, Exercise Regularly, Rest up
Keep your body in great condition and it will reward you with mental clarity and focus, resulting in increased productivity.
I guarantee you that if you deprive yourself of sleep, don’t exercise and eat junk food you will not get your work done efficiently.
If you’re used to eating junk, or having been exercising lately commit to 30 days of discipline and eat well, rest up and exercise regularly and you will be pleasantly surprised at how efficient both your body and your mind will work for you.
Replace those bad habits with good habits, over the course of a month and you will never look back.
If you enjoyed this post you’ll love Victor Pride’s 30 Days of Discipline, check it out here.
You can find my article review and video on 30 Days of Discipline here.