What Productivity?
Ben Yoskovitz of the Instigator Blog recently started the ultimate guide to productivity meme, and (as my first tagging since starting blogging) I’ve been tagged by Aaron of miLienzo - to share my thoughts!
Ironically enough though, I’m pretty lousy when it comes to productivity! I generally leave everything to the last minute, and put things off that typically turn out to be easier than I had thought. However, occasionally I do have short bursts of inspiration, and during those times this is what I do…
Dirty Desk = Dirty Mind
I believe that if your desktop is clear of clutter then it’s easier to focus on a task at hand - and that goes for your digital workspace too. The only thing on my real desk (apart from my computer and accessories) is my coffee cup, and the only icon on my virtual desktop is the Recycle Bin. Of course, my mind may still be dirty - but at least my working space isn’t!
Increased Caffiene Intake
Being a designer, there is rarely a time during my working day when I don’t have a cup of coffee by my side. Some creatives prefer tea, but I believe that something made from leaves is really a poor excuse for a hot beverage. Basically, the stronger the better - and if you are forced to drink the weak stuff (perhaps because that’s all they buy in your office) then at least subsidise it with some Red Bull or something!
Take Breaks
It may sound counter-productive, but sometimes the worse thing you can do is push yourself too hard. Look away from your monitor (yes, it is possible) at least every five minutes, and take a walk around if you start you feel your neck or back muscles get tight of they start to ache.
If you have problems making yourself do these things then pictures of scantily-clad ladies (or gentlemen) can help with the first, and becoming a smoker can help with the second.
Keep On Top Of Email
I’d like to contradict what many other people are saying, suggesting that emails and voicemails should be left to collect - to be dealt with in one massive onslaught… I personally feel much more relaxed dealing with each mail or call as is arrives - and it means that I don’t have a nagging thought at the back of my mind, telling me that I’ll have 2000 messages to wade through at the end of the day!
Get A Whiteboard
Seriously. Don’t mess around with scribbling cryptic notes to yourself on post-it pads, or spending days making your own personal planning sheets… Get something big and white, and stick it up on your wall - so that you can see it every time you leave and return to your desk. This alone has helped me to keep on top of more than 30 projects at once, simply because it’s all in one place and I can’t miss it!
So that’s my tips done and dusted! If you’re still hungry for more then these people seem to be slightly more productive than me:
Tara - Secrets to Productivity
Randa - Secrets to Productivity
StevieB - 100 Ways To Be More Productive
And to keep this thing moving, I’m tagging:
Charity at Design Adaptations
J David Macor
Zep at The In-Sect
webee design blog
Scot at Meridiancrest
[Thanks to Charity, Zep, Aaron, David, Char, StevieB, Scot, The Paper Bull and Brett for their comments on my previous post]
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I really dig your header graphic. Nicely done.
I tried a white board once… but never used it. Had to take it down because it was just too… white. I stick with my boring legal pads instead.
Thanks.
There was another type of board… Can’t quite recall what it was called, but it was the opposite of white… That would probably work too.
Some good tips. I am a victim of not taking breaks, sometimes it gets to 3pm and I realise I haven’t had lunch.
Thanks for the mention
Hi Tara! Thanks for your comment. Yeah - I’ve always been one for skipping breakfast and lunch in favour of working. It was only a recent weight-loss drive that prompted me to stop this, and it’s worked wonders - not to mention that I find it easier to focus during the day when my stomach’s not rumbling!
Hey Paul,
Interesting that you choose to deal with each email as it arrives. I find it best to turn off my speakers for periods of time so I can concentrate to one project without the ‘ping’ ‘ping’ of new emails arriving.
Increased caffiene intake?
I hear you.
Thanks for commenting David!
I seem to be in the minority when it comes to email handling - every other productivity post that I read says to ignore mail until the end of the day! Maybe I’m different because I use email and IM as my primary source of client-contact?
I think that if possible, it would help to communicate with clients via IM rather than email. That way you’re less likely to be distracted by un-work-related emails.
Regardless, at the end of the day if you get the job done that’s what important, but for me, not checking emails as they arrive definitely helps when I need to focus.
I try to push as many of my clients to IM as possible, but sometimes they just can’t get their heads around the concept - or don’t have broadband. In fact, one gentleman even insisted on conducting all discussions on his project by post…
[…] a group writing project. I myself was tagged by Paul Enderson (whose tips you should also check out) and am very excited to share a few tips of my own. Actually, the best part about all of this, is […]
Thanks for tagging me!
My pleasure mate! Looking forward to reading the reply!
Oh boy, I don’t know how much more productive I am than you or anyone else.
Coincidentally I finally just picked up a copy of GTD two days ago and I really dig it so far. Regarding the dirty desk, dirty mind thing - the book talks specifically about clearing out your head which in turn is supposed to increase creativity and efficiency, etc. If you haven’t read it, might be of some interest to you. Coffee - yes please!
Thanks for your comment Charity! Typically, somebody tagged would write a post like the one I have. If you check out the second link up top it might explain it more clearly!
Having said that, any comment is better than no comment at all - so don’t feel pressured!
I’ll keep an eye out for GTD… Sounds like it could be interesting!
Nice post - it’s always good to see someone advocate smoking in this world of smoking-bans and anti-smoking propoganda.
(not that I smoke any more)
However I must vehemently defend the drinking of tea. Whilst coffee has its moment (usually in a nice coffee shop), most instant coffee is a foul mud-like substance which dehydrates and causes insomnia. Tea rules!
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Love this post!! I manage an online company that sells products and publishes a magazine, so I can’t ignore email all day. It’s my job! I am tired of reading productivity tips that say ignore email because that just doesn’t work for me. So, it was refreshing to hear you say that you can be productive if you check your email. And caffeine and nicotine…yep
Hurrah! I’m not alone after all! Well, that’s two of us for regular email checking, smoking and coffee then - thanks Zura!
Did you find my blog via Dean’s site?
[…] What productivity? by Paul Enderson […]
[…] reflections: dirty desk = dirty mind, increased caffeine, take breaks, stay on top of email, get a whiteboard. […]
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