In Celebration of Get Organized Month, Make It Easy to be Productive

The link between organizing and productivity is clear! The more organized you are, the more productive you can be. That is not always enough. Make it easy to be productive with these tips and tricks.

List it and prioritize it

Writing stuff down is a remarkably important part of being productive. Make it easy by speaking into your Notes or other apps to make a list. Then go back, categorize and prioritize the list. End with the three Most Important Tasks (MITs) for one day.

Time block it

Match your MITs with time blocks that connect to your energy level. Set up a time block that gives you both structure to get stuff done and the freedom to work for a long-ish period of time.

Chunk it

It is easy to get overwhelmed and shut down when you are working. Create a manageable, small chunk of work to do to feel accomplished.

Break it up

Intervals of work and reset make work easier. The Pomodoro Method, with alternating times of work and a 5-minute break, highlights how effective this strategy is for many people.

Template it

If you are doing the same task or responding to the same email repeatedly, create a template to use to accomplish this. A template is can be a checklist or a pre-written response. You can also establish standard operating procedures for a task or project. These automate your work.

Communicate it

Meetings and email work best when used to communicate proactively.  Be efficient and effective with email by checking it only three times a day. Move information into project collaboration tools. Set dates to meet to create momentum for a project.

Energize it

Know what energizes you when you need a break. That might be a walk, adding a team member, or giving yourself a break. Managing and matching your energy to a project makes it easier to accomplish.

Making it easier to be productive involves managing your time well, using your productivity tools wisely, and taking care of yourself.