10 Tips for Getting Things Done

The only way you’re going to progress at anything is if you actually put in the work and do things. 

Here are 10 tips that might help increase your productivity:

1. Make separate, daily to-do lists for your personal and professional lives.

• Consider writing tomorrow’s tasks out at the end of the day before.
• Be aware of longer term deadlines and goals to ensure chipping away at them.

2. Prioritize your to-do’s and block time out for them on your calendar.

• Consider timing of deadlines and tackling the hardest work first.
• You may be disciplined enough to just focus on the task and not need the calendar reminders. Try out both ways, and do what works better for you.

3. Find one or more people to hold you accountable.

• It could be a colleague or friend who regularly checks in with you.
• Consider holding them accountable for something in return.

4. Develop a habit around recurring tasks.

• The more you can replicate the same routine for getting something done, the easier it will be to do the next time.

5. Create positive incentives that kick in after you do a task.

• Think about what you love to do when you’re not doing your work, and reward yourself by dedicating some time to it.
• Be careful not to fall down the rabbit hole and behind on your other to-do’s!

6. Create negative incentives that kick in if you fail to the work.

• Maybe you cut your lunch break short because you need more time to do X.
• Or skip out on watching your favorite TV show in the evening because you didn’t get X done at home.

7. Consume something inspiring to get you pumped up to do a certain task.

• Think favorite song or motivational video clip.
• Maybe it becomes part of a habit around one of your recurring tasks.

8. Accomplish some easy stuff first to get you in “do mode.”

• The act of crossing stuff off your list can create momentum to propel you through more difficult tasks.

9. Reduce distraction to improve focus.

• This might mean blasting your favorite song in your headphones to drown out chatter around you.
• Or going somewhere quiet alone so you can do your thing.

10. Surround yourself with other doers.

• Hang out with other people who are consistently getting stuff done,
• Their productivity is bound to rub off on you and encourage you to up your game.

What is your favorite productivity hack?

This post originally appeared on "The Life of Riley" blog.

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