Getting Into the Productivity Mindset

Getting Into the Productivity Mindset

When people think about productivity, it's often about the physical actions. But the mental game of productivity is just as important as the physical actions.

Today we look at how to get into the productivity mindset.
4 Productivity Lessons From A Matching Game

4 Productivity Lessons From A Matching Game

There are productivity lessons everywhere, if you just look. Here are four lessons I learned from a video game my daughter got me into, "We Bare Bears Match 3 Repairs."

I like matching games, and when my daughter started playing this one (based on one of her favorite cartoons), I peeked over her shoulder. What makes this game different from most is that there is no time pressure - a round is governed by the number of moves that you make. Make less than "par", you win the round. Otherwise you need to try over. It's fun, and it made me think about the general rules I was applying to select my moves...and all can be applied to productivity.
Why Most Task Advice is Worthless

Why Most Task Advice is Worthless

As part of my quest for productivity, I read a lot of articles and books on the various aspects. I get frustrated from time to time, because I think a lot of the authors miss the points.

For example, I have been reading a lot about building a better task list. And I’ve discovered that most task advice is worthless.
Getting A Fresh Start On Email

Getting A Fresh Start On Email

If you are like most people, you have a lot of emails in your inbox, either unread or waiting for action. In fact, one study found that the average worker had 199 unread emails in their inbox. Another study found that workers receive 121 emails per day.

That is a lot of email to be confronted with every time you open your inbox.

The problem with this is that if you don’t empty out and process the emails (also known as “keeping up with it”), you will have to scan all those emails every time you open the program. And the longer the list, the longer the scan, and that means a whole lot of wasted time.

But what can you do about it? You can clear out and get a fresh start.
Things To Put on a New Calendar

Things To Put on a New Calendar

You have a beautiful blank calendar before you. What should you put on it to ensure you get the most use out of it? This article addresses the basics.

In spite of my dedication to electronic calendars (because of their portability and shareability), I still maintain a paper calendar in my kitchen. This is simply for the visibility without extra steps. But both types of calendars have benefited from my adding the following types of items.
Things To Do For A Better New Year

Things To Do For A Better New Year

January 1 is when all the calendars recognize the start of the New Year. And as we have just passed that date, I thought I would talk about some things you can do to make your New Year get off to a great start.

I have discovered that when I take time to acknowledge the new year and its potential, I get off on a productive beginning that will carry me through the doldrums of January. I do certain things every new year that I’ve learned by experimentation, but that really help me get some direction.