5 productivity boosters for everyday

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5 productivity boosters

for everyday


Introduction

If you’re looking to make small changes in the way you do things every day, then my 5 golden productivity boosting tactics are going to change your life from the moment you implement them.


1. Handle-Once Email Transformation

Only handle each email ONCE is my general rule. As soon as I open my inbox each day, I start the filter process:

• Delete the spam• Move industry related documents,

articles, newsletters and updates to my Read Later Folder

• Assess if I’m interested in any of the GroupOn, Spreets or Cudo deals. Delete when I’ve decided that I don’t want any laser treatment or dinner for two at a Thai restaurant in the Eastern Suburbs


The rule is to only handle the email once – assess it and do something with it. DON’T LEAVE IT IN THE INBOX.

• Email not for you to really deal with? Forward it on and then file it• Email informing you of something important, but not actionable? Read it

and file it • Calendar request being scheduled? Accept / Decline and delete it • Email asking you to send something through / re-send an attachment or

report? Reply straight away, then delete• Email asking for your review and comment? Schedule your review period,

respond and delete

1. Handle-Once Email Transformation


2. Post-It Note Do or Die

Three “must do today” items are moved from my “never-get-to-it list” and get added to the Post-It Note “Do or Die list”, and it sits in front of my keyboard all day.

I cannot go home until these three things are done.


3. 20 Minute Speed Read

Twenty minutes a day is paramount if you want to stay ahead of the game, especially in our industry.

• twenty minutes of an article, a report, some stats, a blog post, an industry newsletter, a Wiki page or something similar

• anything from the “Read Later Folder” will help to keep you up to date


4. Social Validation

This is a great productivity boost that kills two birds with one stone (or maybe three):

So your own social presence is fulfilled on a daily basis, in conjunction with going through emails and staying up to date with news.

Taking what you’re reading and sharing it on LinkedIn and Twitter.

• We crave social connectedness• Social channels are a great source of information that

might make up your twenty minute speed read• Your speed read can contribute to your own social

presence / social sharing / thought leadership


5. Multi-Tasking Hack

Email is our preferred method of professional communication, however we need to really look at how we communicate:

• Someone needs a short answer quickly? Pick up the phone and give an answer

• Need clarification on something so you can keep working? Pick up the phone and talk to whoever has the answer

• Return phone calls in one go• Crack onto the next key task


The biggest multi-tasking hack I can offer is not to multi-task. Focus on one key task at a time

30 minutes of solid work will be far more productive than 1 hour with constant interruptions.

The quality of the work will improve, your efficiency will improve and your productivity will increase.

5. Multi-Tasking Hack


So in conclusion:

1. Handle-Once Email Transformation2. Post-It Note Do or Die3. 20 Minute Speed Read4. Social Validation5. Avoid Multi-tasking (focus on one task at a time)

Self Improvement

5 productivity boosters for everyday