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Welcome to Day 1 of 7 Days To Better Productivity & Time Management.
Today’s task will take about 1 hour.
We’re going to begin by identifying your very best way to work. We’ll uncover your ideal productivity style so that you’ll be able to get more done, with more natural motivation, and without willpower or tricks.
Let’s start!
If you’re signed up and logged in then today’s task will appear below.
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Some of the tasks were easy and I know just where I stand. But working out the peak and fallow times is really rather tricky. I will have to watch carefully for a while, and see how it falls. Because my work days are very unstructured due to their nature, routine is something I actually need to impose so that I stay motivated, and don’t lapse into procrastination.
Yay – let’s get this productivity party started!
1. Prefer multiple tasks
2. Flexible routine with room for spontaneity
3. Most productive late in the day
4. I enjoy a busy environment for creative thinking, but I need quiet to do focused work.
Change – I will stop scheduling work that requires concentration during “noisy” times, since I will be less productive then.
I have enjoyed this first day’s exercise of guided introspection!!! Fantastic. My comment is a bit lengthy but I am using it as a way to journal for myself too. Killing two birds with one stone so to speak. (:
1. Eventhough, circumstantially I have worked relatively well with many projects on my plate, I am realizing I have a tipping point! Will do differently: I have been on overwhelm for a very long stretch, so I am going to “hang” temporarily some responsibilities to have less going on in order to stop spinning my wheels!
2. LOVE spontaneity WITHIN a routine! (: That step was the easiest for me to identify. Will do differently: I have been spontaneous-heavy and need to honor the need for more structure by learning better scheduling skills. Am actually amazed how productive I have been with less than sufficient skills in this area!
3. This one was easy to identify too! Early morning, mid morning are my highest energy times! Will do differently: I have sabotaged my peak times because I like order and clean spaces, so instead of using those peak times to take care of this need for a blank slate, I will schedule “prep” times mid afternoons for housekeeping, emails and other admin things.
4. I seem to be able to focus well in both settings and yet I can get easily distracted. I get easily distracted with other things like paperwork crying out for attention. Will do differently: Need to select a workspace that will remain clutter-free of paper and honor that so as to have a “quiet” and “busy_free” workspace.
I know my productivity tendencies very well–unfortunately, they are so restrictive that I often use the excuse that I can’t be productive because the conditions are challenging! I have a great deal of difficulty focusing if it is not quiet and still around me–no TV, radio, or people who might speak to me and interrupt my train of thought. I work best if I can stay up all night–which is not feasible because I have a job and am a single mom of a 6-year-old!
What I am going to try to shoot for a little improvement is to get up earlier in the morning and get a few important things done before my son wakes up at 6:30. Lately I have been accomplishing a lot by staying up later and later into the night, and it feels great to get things done, but it is not good for my health to run on so little sleep. I often save important tasks for late at night, but then I find that I get so stimulated by the accomplishment that I want to do more and more, and pretty soon it is 2 or 3 am. Then I am a zombie all the next day until about 10 pm and the cycle repeats.
What do you think? Is it crazy, if I know I work best at night, to make my goal getting up earlier? I have to do something to regulate my sleep pattern or I will continue catching every virus that comes by. There are books I need to read for work–I can make reading every night part of my schedule and it won’t feel frivolous.
Ok, I have discovered that I like fewer projects, I like routine with the option of spontaneity. I’m going to have to test the time and distraction items. I use to love early morning and I usually can focus in the coffee house, so I will see which works best.
Doing this for the second year in a row, first time as a premium subscriber…I really enjoy reading everyone’s comments and suggestions! Lots of great ideas and inspiration~I am very routine oriented, most productive in the mid morning, prefer quiet, and routine. I plan to do my more important items in the AM and save email and household upkeep until the afternoon. I work in the husband’s office and have found my most productive time to be 11-3. I apologize for being a day behind!
Good first day, mostly things I already knew about myself and how I work, but interesting to put it on paper and thing about how I use this in daily life.
I like to be occupied and have a lot of tasks on my plate that I can jump between and the majority of the time I can handle this pretty well (my boss sees this and I get more work because it, which I am OK with).
I prefer routine and schedule. I can be flexible but don’t change things around completely, surprising me.
I work best first thing in the morning and right after lunch – I work 8-4, and after about 3:15 I will sometimes purposely earmark tasks for the next morning if I know they will take a long time or be overly complicated (as long as they aren’t time sensitive).
I need a bit of background noise to work and will often put some music on. Too quiet and I go crazy, too loud and I can’t focus. My desk used to be in a very high-traffic area and it could be distracting at times. Now I’m in a quieter corner, but still close to people and it’s much better.
This has been interesting. Looked at this in the morning but wasn’t able to concentrate on it until now. I prefer concentrating on fewer tasks at a time and having routine with the flexibility to change depending on the situation. Am not a morning person despite having to be an early riser for my family and am able to really start concentrating more by mid-day up until the evening for work. Prefer a quiet work environment without distractions like emails, Facebook, etc.
So how am I going to start using the knowledge – as my office is in my house and I am my own boss most of the time, I’m thinking of scheduling housework, cooking (or at least planning out dinner), reading emails, admin work, etc. in the morning. Focusing on specific projects for work – mid-day to late afternoon. And working out in the evening. (I can’t exercise effectively early in the morning – joints hurt too much). I’ve moved a screen to our office area to give me a bit more privacy. My adult children who live with me and even my husband, when he’s not traveling, are pretty busy. I need to have more structure for me because I have all day to do something and in the end nothing is getting done.
My top priority has to be my health. There are many things I want to get done but my progress is slow. Mentally, I struggle with bran fog due to illness and medications to treat the illnesses. Physically, I deal with fatigue,pain, and an inability to move/use my body as once I could, among other unpleasant things.
I’m here, looking for ideas that may help me make the most of what energy/strength/endurance I may have on any given day. So far, I have a routine that starts my day, tending my pets, raising shades to let in the sunshine, showering, dressing, making the bed, eating breakfast. I do those things on automatic. Then, I’m off to my computer and there I stay for hours at a time. When I have sufficient energy I get up and do some work. I might be doing laundry, sweeping a floor, paying a bill, making a phone call, or going through a pile of papers or making decisions about an item of clothing. Everything I do must happen in five minute spurts because that’s about it for my energy level. I even walk on my tread mill in five minute increments.
As I see it, what I need to try for is more planning of activity and less resting. It takes me several days(rolling ideas around in my mind) to plan my next areas of attack on getting my house clear and clean but then, when I start I am able to keep going back to the tasks, day after day, until I’m satisfied with the improvement.. I like to vary what I’m working on.
I can’t even say when I’m best able to work as that changes with my physical condition, moment by moment. I know I am happiest working alone at my own pace. I have learned to let my husband do things I used to do by and for myself. Done is better than waiting until I am able to do them. So, he grocery shops and I find a menu out of whatever he brings home, whether or not it’s what was on the list. lol
He follows me to the kitchen and asks what I’m making. Then, he takes over. Sometimes, I’m able to get out the ingredients or the utensils but mostly I sit while he prepares, serves, puts away, etc. Not everyone is able to do the things that need to be done.with the speed and ease we’d all like to have. So, I’m participating in this program, looking for what will help me achieve my goals, what’s doable for me.
My first goal is to stay alive. My other goals/priorities include getting my house in order, dealing with clutter and paper, getting my clothes sorted through, and along the way, perhaps, losing some weight. Every day’s task involves making the house just a little bit nicer than it was the day before, appreciating my husband, and finding reasons to smile.
I have a tiny brainspace! I really enjoy my work when I get immersed to the point I’m not even aware of conversations around me. I realize that I’ve been swimming upstream, because I always have not only a list of tasks, but a list of projects, and then I feel overwhelmed, procrastinate, and make very little progress. It’s going to be difficult, but I need to pick one or two projects each in my personal and work life, and put the rest on the ‘later’list. I bet I’ll get the last one on the ‘later’ list done a lot sooner than if I left them all on the current list!
I think I’ve also been losing some of my prime productivity time by spending a lot of my mornings on email and small random tasks. I’m not really an early morning person – I need my first cup of coffee! – but I really have more energy and enthusiasm earlier in the day. I will try to save the things that don’t really need my concentration for the my post-lunch slump.
I definitely prefer only a few projects. I did great when I focused on decluttering my house a few months ago – and only focused on that!. I like routine, love making lists and schedules – only I never follow through. I’m moving my home office to a quieter space (middle child moving out so have a new room to work in) as I like it quiet. I work better mid-morning and early afternoon. Just like to crash at the end of the day. I need to stay off of the computer until late in the day or I can waste copious amounts of time! and working out/running is always better first thing in the morning – then it actually happens.
I waited a while to start this one but – wow – the first day is amazing. Just like in Simplify Your Life, so many things are clear now that I didn’t even realize existed before. Low stimulation level and morning person I knew but no boring admin first thing in the morning ?? I wouldn’t have considered it before but it works great. And small productivity brainspace ?? who knew – certainly didn’t. I assumed capable and mature meant do whatever is necessary, in whatever manner life throws it at you. Thanks alot!
So, it’s October and I’m just jumping on this band wagon now! I absolutely prefer to work on only a few projects at a time.
I don’t like surprises…period! I want to know what to expect and have the opportunity to prepare, otherwise I get overwhelmed and I freeze up. Structure is one of my favorite things!
I am NOT a morning person…I LOVE the afternoon and evening.
I definitely work better in a quiet environment. Distractions are distractions and they interfere with my concentration and productivity! I need quiet so I can focus!
I will still make lists, but with precision and consistently. As a new Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, I am learning new ways of organizing & prioritizing my things-to-do list. In that line of work, I organize by the following: calls to be made, facials/events/bookings to schedule or conduct, and administrative/business/inventory.
And lastly, but probably one of the most important things, is that I will STOP PROCRASTINATING and I will give myself 10-15 minutes at the beginning & end of each day to plan/schedule/structure!!!
I’m off to bed now…I can’t wait to see what tomorrow’s tasks/questions will be…
I am picking this up after recently subscribing. I decided to start with Productivity, because if I can stop avoiding things, I might actually achieve some goals. I am a working mom with 4 kids, so my time isn’t usually my own. I am going to have to try things out to find the answers to today’s goals.
The following are my group’s decisions: Set your timer. You may have to do the task three times to catch your mistakes. Instructions are as follows: 1. Do the task. 2. Double check for corrections 3. Correct the mistakes.
Large Productivity Brain space People:
Preference is one project at a time.
Challenges are goals = short or long term.
Switch between working, being a student or volunteer person.
People with behavioral sciences diagnoses will get started quickly and lose interest almost immediately. Don’t start a project if you’re not going to complete the project.
Multi-tasking is for working, your home office or volunteer person. Not all people are able to multi-task due to their disabilities.
Extroverted means go-getter, has more confidence, more bolder and more self-assured.
Multi-tasking would be repetitive every day.
Small Productivity Brain space People:
Our preference is one project at a time until you’re comfortable multi-tasking.
Derive energy and excitement from immersion [diving into it] = people jump into projects get psyched up; it’s a project their 100% of completing this project.
Be comfortable first then multi-tasking i.e. laundry in washing machine, soak your dirty dishes, take laundry out of the dryer, go to another task.
Maintain reasonable time: the turtle starts out slow and the rabbit runs fast but slows down after the run.
Mental resources can feel overwhelmed and stressed for people with disabilities.
Introverted means shy, timid and keep to yourself.
Trial and error is the best, reading the instructions and being able to comprehend the instructions.
1. Think back to the times you’ve been most happy and productive – whether as a student, employee, business owner or volunteer. Were you working on a few or many things?
Keep an even pace and find your comfort zone for your productivity brain space. You can have qualities from large and small brain space combined.
More productive when we could work.
Grade School was productive, happy and easily made all A’s.
Junior and High School was too hard and non-productive. Beginning of hospital stays for one person.
Happiest when it’s payday.
Happier as a student, doing fewer projects and was able to focus.
Its’ fine to do several projects until it is overwhelming – cut back when this occurs.
I do better volunteering and having many projects.
The satisfaction of being on time for appointments, volunteering, students and working people.
Disabled people can work in sheltered programs and is fulfilling. Your income is not touched.
2. Think about the times you’ve been most stressed or unhappy. Were you over- or under-stimulated at work or volunteer during this period? Stressed, Can’t meet job quota, When things don’t go right, Working world, In school doing too much, In debt/paying your bills, Everyday life and Proper rest/sleep.
Unhappy: Not cheerful or joyful, Not pleased or satisfied at someone or something,
Working for companies makes us sad, In school doing too much, Not having good luck, Unscheduled emergencies and Cranky, irritable, moody: improper sleep.
How to handle a bad day? You do not have bad days you have bad moments. Do what you would tell somebody else to do or advise them to see their medical team. Take the bad times and analyze as an educational piece – learning piece – to handle a similar situation in the future. In the working world if you make a mistake you don’t how to correct – see your supervisor or manager to let them know so the mistake can be corrected. In school doing too much was stress and unhappiness. When in the working world I was a steward in the Union; mandating management to counseling.
3. When you plan a vacation or day off do you prefer to have many things scheduled, or only a few?
Planned vacation when out of state or country! Local planned event doesn’t have to be planned. In the working world be open minded if the company can’t make a deadline – if you have no plans you could change your vacation time. Getting hurt on the job makes sure they have paid benefits for leave of absence. Ticket to work – if you lose your job you get your disability back right away.
4. Read over your answers to work out whether you have a small or large productivity brain space.
We have a combination of small and large brain space for productivity. Depending on the project you are working on depends on whether you want to do small for this project. Large brain space for several projects that you are charged up over!
Surprised: Moving away party, Bon Voyage, Birthdays and Anniversaries.
Anticipation: Reunions, Picnics, Baby Showers, Graduations and Planned Events.
Planned: An event.
Scheduling: Appointments and Comforting.
Charts: Various Tasks.
If you don’t already know your peak work or home time, here are some questions to help you work it out: Best work/home, Early morning, Late morning and Afternoon.
Happiest: Work, Volunteering, Attending classes, Late morning and Afternoon.
Procrastinating Chores: Housekeeping, Tidying the bathroom, Making the bed, Laundry, Washing dishes,
Moping the floors, Window cleaning, Washing the walls, Painting, Dusting the furniture, Ironing and.
Cooking.
Morning person: Start your day with the most important or hardest tasks on your list.
Afternoon or evening person: schedule tasks for earlier in the day.
At one time men were the bread winners. Some house wives worked part time or volunteered at schools. When they arrive home from work all they want to do is relax; read the newspaper; eat dinner. However stay at home mothers have an agenda ready for the evening. They cannot relate to the working world as they only house wives.
Look for patterns at home to enjoy more productive days.
Socialization has to have boundaries whether at home, school or work environment.
You need your own space with other people staying out of your way during this time period.
Try picking a bunch of projects, writing a detailed plan for your day, starting early in the morning in a crowded café – and see how you feel!
Or commit to just one goal, write a general list of to-do items, keep a general grocery list; postpone your biggest task till the afternoon and then head to a locked home office to work on it.
What works for one person may not work for another.
Do you prefer multiple projects or just a few at a time? Start with a few projects and when you’re comfortable do multiple projects.
Do you enjoy spontaneity or routine in your workday or home office?
Are you most productive and motivated earlier or later in the day? A combination for my group: early or late morning and afternoon.
Do you like a busy or quiet work environment? Depending on the project you’re working on. If it’s a large project we would want a quiet home office. Computing in your home office should be a quiet place.
What will you do differently from now on? Keep my paperwork and home office organized at all times.
Over the last several years I have been the most productive when I focused primarily on one project. I am not doing well at all if I am confronted with too many things at once or I have no plans and nothing to do at all.
Do I like spontaneity or routine? It depends: If I am facing a deadline I definitely prefer routine. Besides, I do like to plan and schedule which gives me some sense of control. But when I am doing a creative art project I prefer spontaneity.
I am a morning person and do best work early in the day. However, without structure I find myself sitting in front of the TV, again, totally frustrated. A vicious cycle…
I prefer multiple projects but need to schedule them into my daily routine as much as possible. I’m more motivated later at work (but early at home). I like it quiet. From now on I’ll try to schedule the important tasks during my peak performance time.
Ok, I am just getting to this… better late than never, right?
I am happiest and most productive when I only have a few projects to work on at a time. I feel overwhelmed when I have too many projects going and that often leads to me being immobilized to accomplish anything. On my days off or vacation days I prefer to have only a few things scheduled.
I fall in the middle between a planned day and a random day. I accomplish more when I have a plan for the day, but have realized I only need to have a couple of items to accomplish instead of a mile long list (that I will never finish). Once those items are accomplished I can always add a couple more things to the small list. Some structure with flexibility is what I need.
I am NOT a morning person. I do better when I can start my day around 10 or 11. I arrive at work around 8:30 a.m. I can use this time to answer emails and a few other mundane tasks. Then do what is most important. Late afternoon is not a good time for me. I also do well with accomplishing tasks in the late evening.
I prefer to work in my office with few interruptions with my favorite music playing. Too many people around and I want to talk or can’t concentrate. I feel I do better when I have organization in my office instead of clutter (clutter drains my energy and I think … man, I need to do this or that instead of the task at hand).
I am going to make a list with a only a couple of things to accomplish each day for work and home. I can always add to them once those on my list are accomplished. I need to do the little tasks like emails, returning phone calls, checking statuses, etc when I arrive at work. Then work on the most important items next. I need to be able to accomplish things at my home like cleaning. Instead of focusing on the entire room I am going to break them down into sections so I don’t feel so overwhelmed with all I need to accomplish. Maybe if I do this I won’t have so many unaccomplished projects, housework, books left to be read….
Just getting started on the program (couldn’t find the time…ha!)
I tend to have many, many things going at once but it stresses me out more than I realized. Just because that’s how I’ve always done things doesn’t mean that is how I do my best work! Hmm…
I am a list making queen! I love to plan & plan & plan. But I’m going to stop making such detailed lists. It just makes the list way tooooo long and adds stress. General topics will be good enough.
My time is a little limited until I can arrange for a PT nanny for my 2 year old, but it was helpful to realize that trying to accomplish anything very important after she goes to bed at night is not working for me (shouldn’t be a surprise since I tend to get lost on FB or email during that time!).
I like a flexible routine (decided by ME). I love planning & scheduling, but if it becomes too routine I get bored and too rigid makes me unhappy.
I get energized working at coffee shops unless I need to really concentrate on something, but again I need to figure out how to hire a PT nanny.
Loving this program already! 🙂