Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

9 Steps to Supercharge Your Productivity with Creativity


Time is the great equalizer. Everybody has the exact same number of hours in each day. For most people, the hours available are usually less than the hours needed to get everything done. However, by using the following principles of creativity, you should be able get more done in less time, while making certain that you are doing what's most important and moving yourself closer to your goals.

1. Start with quiet focus

When you have a lot to do, your first instinct is probably to hit the ground running. If you feel you have a tremendous amount to do, you may feel the urge to jump in and get started on your work. Rather than doing that, take a few minutes to get calm and organize your thoughts. Think of this as a short form of meditation; just try to empty your mind. After you have done this, your focus, energy, and perspective will all be improved. Taking a few minutes up front to center yourself can make you tremendously more productive.

2. Brainstorm your day

Take a piece of paper (it can be a loose sheet, but it can be helpful if it's part of a designated notebook or planner) and write down everything you need to do that day. Let your mind flow, and get everything out. As with all creative exercises, don't criticize your ideas. Don't think of something you'd like to do and then not write it down because you think you won't be able to do it or that you shouldn't do it. The most important thing here is that you get everything onto the page.

3. Apply the 80/20 Rule to your List

Take this list you've created and apply the 80/20 rule to it. Remember, 80 percent of your results come from 20 percent of your effort. Circle only the 20% of items that will yield 80% of those results. This step will focus your day down to the critical tasks you must get down.

4. Chunk Up

For each circled activity, chunk up. Put the bigger picture in perspective. This will refocus and motivate you to work on it. Or, it may make you realize that the task is not as important as you thought. Having a 'why' is very helpful in getting us to work towards our goal, especially if the task is something we're not excited about doing.

5. Chunk Down

For each circled item remaining on the list, chunk down. Break the items down into smaller parts. You should strive to get them to a point where each task is broken down into a series of single action items. How big each item is depends on your work style. I like my action items to be things I can complete between 15 minutes and 1 hour.

6. Prioritize your list

Prioritize every item on your list. A simple way to do this is look at your list and ask yourself, 'at the end of today, what one thing on my list, if finished, will have the biggest positive impact on my life?' The answer to that is your number one priority. Ask that question again with the remaining items on your list. That's your number two item. Continue this until your list is complete.

7. Schedule those activities

For every action item in step 5, schedule when you will do it and how long it will take. Resolve to stick to the schedule. You can take two approaches to scheduling. First, and the way to ensure you get the most important work done, is to schedule your first priority item first in the day, then your second, and so on. You can also schedule your high priority items during your most productive hours. You have high and low productive times during the day. You know when they are, not me (if you don't know, pay attention to yourself for the next couple of weeks and figure it out). Scheduling this way ensures you devote your best time to the most important activities, but if your most productive time is not first thing in the morning you run a greater risk of your high priority items not being done.

8. Go with the Flow

Be aware that the day has a way of stealing your time. Keep your 80/20 priorities in mind when new things come up. Make sure to prioritize and evaluate new things that come. Don't sacrifice an important item on your list to do something less important. At the same time, keep an open mind and be willing to flow with new items. Your schedule and list is there to help you. If something new comes up that will be more beneficial for you, go with it.

9. Go one at a time

Work through you list and schedule in the order you have it. For big tasks, don't be overwhelmed by the number of tasks, just work through them one at a time. Put your attention solely on the task at hand. For the vital action items, try to remove distractions. Turn off the phone, close the door, or work at a time when everyone else is asleep. You can finish a task that you might think would take you three hours in one hour if you put 100% of your attention on it.

Try following these 9 steps and watch your productivity explode!

Avish Parashar has a refreshingly unique approach to speaking and training: identify the fundamentals of success and then give people the tools to implement those fundamentals. Avish's approach can be deceptive; it's fun, funny, interactive, engaging, entertaining, and ridiculously simple. Success isn't complicated, it's simple. So visit the web site to learn more about the "Ridiculously Simple Ideas That Everybody Needs and Nobody Uses."

Learn More:http://www.avishparashar.com

Free Creativity Mini-Course:http://www.avishparashar.com/creativity-free-minicourse.html


MORE RESOURCES:

Creativity - Google News

Creativity is key to CEOs - NetworkWorld.com


Creativity is key to CEOs
NetworkWorld.com
More than sustainability, operational effectiveness, or even dedication, creative leadership is an essential asset to permeate an enterprise. ...

and more »

Creativity, vision fuels her passion - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle


Creativity, vision fuels her passion
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
When you work in nonprofit it is fast-paced, mission-driven, has variety each day and allows creativity and vision to come to reality. ...

and more »

Sears Launches 'Crush Your Style' Competition for Tweens Who Can Show Their ... - PR Newswire (press release)


Sears Launches 'Crush Your Style' Competition for Tweens Who Can Show Their ...
PR Newswire (press release)
Just in time for back to school, the new Sears digital program aims to find the kids with the creativity, guts and style chops to be number one. ...

and more »

Social media-focused ad firms look to hire - Crain's New York Business


Social media-focused ad firms look to hire
Crain's New York Business
NYC-based digital marketing startups are on the prowl for young creative types conversant in Facebook and Twitter. When Dylan Harvey graduated from ...

and more »

A Half Hour of Exercise Can Boost Creativity for Hours - Lifehacker


A Half Hour of Exercise Can Boost Creativity for Hours
Lifehacker
Small lengths of exercise produce long lengths of boosted creativity. Many people who exercise attribute the change in scenery to their creative ...

and more »

Executive chef known for ice sculpture talent, creativity with gingerbread - The Exponent


Executive chef known for ice sculpture talent, creativity with gingerbread
The Exponent
The executive chef for Purdue Memorial Union is well-known for his cooking talent, but it's the gingerbread houses and ice carvings that ...

and more »

Demiurge: Creativity Is Key, But So Is Pragmatism - Gamasutra


Demiurge: Creativity Is Key, But So Is Pragmatism
Gamasutra
by Staff Albert Reed, studio head of Demiurge Studios, holds a view that while creativity is key in coming up with game concepts, so is honing those ...
Demiurge's Road To CreativityGamasutra

all 2 news articles »

DDB's Matt Eastwood Named Chief Creative Officer of DDB New York - PR Newswire (press release)


DDB's Matt Eastwood Named Chief Creative Officer of DDB New York
PR Newswire (press release)
NEW YORK, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- DDB New York announced today that it has appointed Matt Eastwood as Chief Creative Officer. Eastwood, who is currently the ...

and more »

Jif® Calls for Entries in Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter ... - PR Newswire (press release)


Jif® Calls for Entries in Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter ...
PR Newswire (press release)
ORRVILLE, Ohio, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Jif is now accepting entries in the Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest. ...
Jif® Calls for Entries in Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter ...Virtual Press Office (press release)

all 12 news articles »

Maker Faire puts the spotlight on creativity - Detroit Free Press


New York Times (blog)

Maker Faire puts the spotlight on creativity
Detroit Free Press
The two-day festival will showcase the creations of more than 260 inventors and other creative types from across the country this weekend at the Henry Ford ...
Maker Faire is coming, time to get your DIY on!AnnArbor.com

all 38 news articles »

Jumbuck Domain Is For Sale - $5,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.Jumbuck.biz 2010

home | site map | links

 

eXTReMe Tracker