What I am constantly learning from successful Internet marketers is that productivity has a direct influence on your success online and in business. Knowing how to manage your time as well as prioritize and focus has a massive effect on your success.
Trying to learn how to become productive is a challenge but once you have a system and a mindset that works it gets easier and easier.
Below I have a video and listed a few key points that I believe will directly result in aiding you and I towards success in multiple areas.
Treat it like a Business
It’s very easy to sit there on your laptop in front of the TV and work half heartedly for hours. But it’s better and more productive to work for half the time but at your desk focusing on what your doing.
Clean Desk & Clean Desktop
These go hand in hand as the are physical and virtual but involve the same process and results. A clean desk is a clean mind. Ever seen the film ‘Limitless’? He suddenly realizes that a productive mind can’t function in an untidy space. Keep a clean space and remain organized and efficient.
To Do list
Writing a ‘To Do List’ is one of the fastest ways to make sure that everything you need to get done, you do get done and in record time. It details out the order in which your tasks need to be completed and once you complete them, checking them off gives a real sense of achievement as well as having that task behind you.
Switch Distractions Off
Although hard to do, especially if you have a busy social life, no one cares about your success as much as you! So your friend may want to talk now but they don’t know or care about you writing that article today or making that video. So don’t ignore them but prioritize and keep a clear head, they will still be there in an hour.
Focus on One thing at a Time
Like I say in the video above, having 6 windows open is easy and sometimes better depending on what your doing. But get focused! If you don’t NEED to have 6 windows open, close 5 of them, get your task done and reopen what you need to.
Finish what you Start
Not finishing a project or task causes so many problems, the most annoying of which is that at some point you’ll have to come back and actually finish it! So get it done now, no time like the present. Your productivity will improve by this point alone.
Thanks for reading and be sure to check out my other posts
I’m so excited to have found your site today what a treat! This is simotheng I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. For me, the most important thing is to get started off on the right foot, so having some quiet time and reviewing my to-do list before I turn on the computer helps immensely. Otherwise, I’m only a few short clicks from disappearing down the internet black hole. Since I work from home, I try to make sure I start the week off with a clean house and groceries so those tasks don’t drain my focus either.
If ‘NZT’ the tablets from ‘Limitless’ actually existed today I’m sure many of us would be putting in an order for millions of them haha. But Eugene you are completely right with good management being needed for success. Prioritizing is something I’m constantly working on and essential for effective task completion!
My first step was making a great big giant calendar and taping it to the wall above my iMac. Because I forget everything, and I can’t keep track of time. Somehow since I started freelancing full time my productivity went down the drain, because I no longer have a tight time frame to make it work. Turns out I needed the structure and the pressure of juggling several jobs at once. I just procrastinate otherwise. So, calendar to write down everything in is my first step. Step number two writing a daily schedule. It’s List Time!
I did enjoy that movie, Limitless. In fact, I wish I could find some of those pills which enabled him to tidy up his area and write a book in a few days. Seriously, truer words were never spoken. I normally prefer to work casually while taking frequent breaks in order to watch television. But I experienced proof of the power of focus when recently, because of necessity, I was forced to focus completely on my computer work and I finished it in half the normal time!
I often feel this way if what I’m slaving on has no short term tangible goal. In this case I’ve found it helps to stop, step back and take a look at what you’ve accomplished over the last few months or more. Even try writing it down. What you’ll realize is that all that time you spent adds up and puts you ahead of the pack. In your case I think this is very true, my friend.
Thanks for these great tips! @KellyExeter Thanks for sharing the blog! I like the idea of lttipsing up the to-do list, I do use one, but having the important vs not important would be handy. @Amanda That would be interesting to try! I bet it does work
@Kelly I work from home also, I can definitely see how having the house in order before Monday would help. It’s easy to use cleaning up as procrastinating!
Tell me about it! If there is one thing I have learned the hard way’, is that time management is the key to success in online marketing. If you do not learn how to manage your time, you will not be able to be productive. The ability to schedule and compartmentalize and prioritize your tasks is critical. Otherwise, you will end up spinning your wheels, as I did in my early days on the internet.