Get to the Bottom of (UN)Productivity: Stop Wasting Time, Stop Blaming Time – Get Focus Today

Two months ago I spoke at live event in Tampa, Florida. One of the questions that resonated with me well after the event was, “What advice would you give to someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to get organized and set priorities?”   

First, let me start off my by saying, time should not be an excuse for not completing your tasks. Ultimately, the real question you must ask yourself is, “How do I manage activities and tasks within an allotted amount of time (typically 24 hours)?   

According to Brett McKay, "Important tasks contribute to our long-term mission, values, and goals." Understanding the basics of task management is a very valuable lesson because it can be incorporated in all aspects of your life.

Below are three #ProductivityHacks you can use today to set you on the path to increased productivity.

1)  Multitasking Hurts Productivity

Multitasking – I get it. Multitasking is efficient way to keep up with your workflow and feel like you aren’t getting left behind, right? Unfortunately, for you and the rest of us, only a surprising two percent of the population can multitask successfully, despite the perception of how well we think we can do multiple things at once. In reality, multitasking reduces your ability to focus, lowers the quality of your work, and can actually cost you time. It is very important to stop multitasking as soon as you realize you are doing it. Instead, try to minimize and manage interruptions, and work on improving concentration by scheduling your day into blocks of time.

2) Put an End to Silent Procrastination

If you are a chronic procrastinator, you likely understand the angst and stress that comes with putting tasks off. Procrastination isn’t always easy to recognize, especially when you are casually scrolling through your Facebook feed, playing solitaire, or gazing out the office window. Though it might seem like an innocent waste of time, these harmless activities can lead to stress – especially if you miss a very important deadline or begin to make mistakes in your work. To overcome procrastination, create task reminders by your preferred task management system (I elaborate on this a little more in my post, Touch it Once).

3) Say Yes by Saying No

You’ve planned your schedule. You’ve checked several things off of your list. In the midst of being the productivity MVP, you get asked to do something by a family member or colleague that sets back the priorities you’ve already placed on your schedule. This sounds like a case of underutilizing the word “no.” Learn how to decline people, opportunities, and situations that will distract you from your tasks and goals. Say yes to personal and professional activities that will allow you to gain the best return-on-investment of your time.

Being productive is about setting priorities. Learn how to recognize when multitasking is a detriment to your success, avoid Facebook i.e. procrastination, and learn to say no to stay on track to your goals. After all – your business or career depends on your ability to stay focus.

How do you stay on task? Tweet me at @lymanmontgomery to tell me how you keep focus to meet your priorities.

Lyman A. Montgomery is a Productivity Coach and CEO of www.getfocustoday.com. He will be hosting a free webinar on October 29, 2015 at 8:00 EST to help you get focused and turn priorities into profits. Register here.