Over the past few months my fellow bloggers and I have shared a whole range of productivity theories, ideas and concepts.   Some of them are rock solid and can be used by everybody, others are a little more extreme, edgy and not for everyone.   But what actually works?  I thought I would share with you three things I have really focused on in the past few months and which have really made me more productive.
Waking Up One Hour Earlier
I’ve actually reduced the total time I sleep and changed my sleep habits entirely.  I was originally sleeping for 8-10 hours, which was causing me to be tired throughout the day.
I now go to sleep later at night (which suits my business activities better) and aim to wake up an hour earlier. I now usually wake up easier and feeling refreshed.  I also fit in a powernap around 5-6pm.   This seems to be the perfect combination for me.
Waking up an hour earlier also has a strange effect when it comes to time-management. I seem to be able to get a lot more done with just that extra hour. I often find myself looking at the time and being surprised at how early in the day it still is. That’s a big change for me.
A Clean Workspace
I try and make a conscious effort everyday to have a clean and clear workspace, free from clutter and mess.   And its not hard to keep a workspace clean once you remove as many items as possible. I only keep the bare essentials items I use on a daily basis on the desk.
I now have no trouble finding a pen, jotting down a quick note or sketching out designs with ease. These little things were just that tiny bit harder when I had a messy desk.   I wonder how much time I’ve saved by keeping a clean and clear space.
Using a Notepad
I can’t imagine how I managed before I started having constant access to a notepad and pencil. I’m now constantly jotting down ideas, sketching graphs and designs, making calculations and more.
Using a notepad is part of my new focus on trying to “outsource my memory”. Obviously I use Task.fm for events and tasks I need to remember by a certain date.  And for concepts and brainstorming I use the notepad(s). Basically I want to get as manyof my thoughts out of my memory and onto something I can look back on later.
For those interested, I use:
- Browser Sketchpad - for UI and web designers. A notepad with browser chrome on top.
- Action Pad – A simple way to get a project down on paper and work out the steps involved
- Dot Grid Book – Use a dot matrix instead of the standard grid layout. Much more freedom!
- Rhodia Pencil – These glide across paper, are made from sustainable materials and look amazing.
What’s Your Number One Tip?
So there you have my three tips that have made a huge difference to my work. What’s your number one? Let us know in the comments. Or are you still sitting on the fence?
Photo By – \!/_PeacePlusOne
