101 ways to be more productive
Here at the IT Training Surgery we take boosting your team’s performance seriously. We help companies get back up to 17 days a year through increased productivity. So we’ve decided to put together productivity tips that will give you back more time to do the things you really enjoy.
When I started to put this post filled with productivity tips together it totalled over 9,000 words! So I’ve listed the tips, and at the bottom of the post there’s a free download where the tips are expanded upon. Enjoy.
101 ways to be more productive
- Make a list of your tasks for the day.
- Check your agenda for the next few weeks.
- Use an app to keep track of your checklist.
- Set up reminders for meetings and tasks.
- Prepare all the materials that you need.
- Set your mobile phone to silent or vibrate-only mode.
- Have a personal SIM and a work SIM.
- Choose neutral ringtones. Short message and reminder ringtones are best.
- Manage your e-mail settings.
- Proper work space setup.
- Check your tools and equipment.
- If you didn’t do so the day before, tidy up.
- Distribute data and supplies.
- Check the evening news the day before.
- Eat a hearty breakfast.
- Prepare everything you need the day after.
- Have the proper mindset for work
- Send out tomorrow’s work today.
- Check your in-boxes regularly, not frequently.
- If possible, set an inbox notification sound.
- Focus!
- One task at a time.
- Learn and use short-cut commands.
- Get it right the first time, every time.
- Identify the time of the day where you are at peak performance.
- Take notes.
- Tackle everything during the meeting.
- Clear your mind as needed.
- Get up and stretch regularly.
- Complete communication tasks as early as possible.
- Close all programs and browser tabs or windows that don’t have something to do with work.
- Bookmark useful sites.
- Organize your bookmarks.
- Prioritize work as needed.
- Install a good antivirus program.
- Scan all files that you load onto your computer.
- Keep your virus definitions up-to-date.
- Keep your private info private.
- Minimize open windows and applications
- Save regularly.
- Ask for UPS, or get a small one for yourself.
- Keep regular backups.
- Keep detailed information on backups.
- Keep records and store them properly.
- Perform regular maintenance for your work computer.
- Assign priorities
- Don’t procrastinate.
- Let yourself be seen.
- Organize productivity contests
- Propagate communiqués
- Update your agenda or schedules as needed.
- Maintain good relationships at work.
- Don’t seek entertainment during your work time.
- Don’t distract yourself.
- Don’t let others distract you.
- Don’t download and install with abandon.
- Don’t stream videos or download using the company bandwidth.
- Don’t visit websites other than reference and work-related websites.
- Don’t socialize during work.
- Don’t meet someone out of the blue.
- Put away your tools and equipment.
- Shut down your computer.
- If you need to leave your computer running, turn off the monitor and use an automatic shut-down application.
- Tidy up your workspace.
- Lock up.
- Review your work at the end of the day.
- Pat yourself on the back.
- Find a way to unwind after work.
- Put some good music on.
- Get out of bed before the rest of the world.
- Do not drink your stress away.
- Perform regular maintenance on all tools and equipment.
- Find out if anything has expired.
- Check for discrepancies in inventory.
- Mix in with the right crowd.
- Perform financial audits.
- Find time to exercise.
- Get some well-deserved R & R.
- Get enough sleep.
- Make yourself comfortable.
- Stay “electronic.”
Things That Home-Based Workers Can Do
- Establish a routine.
- Find out when you are most ready for work.
- Plan ahead of work.
- Itemize your workload.
- Tell friends and family that you are on work mode.
- Focus but not on social networking sites.
- Track your progress.
- Set-up a home office or a separate space for work.
- Outsource some of the work.
- Buddy up and check on each other.
- Invest in sound and reliable technology.
- Modern conveniences are your best friends.
- Take frequent and short breaks.
- Dress for the occasion.
- If you are not up to it, STOP.
- Quantity or quality?
- Do not burn yourself out.
- Get a change of scenery.
- Suit yourself.