Forget All The Productivity Tips You’veRead

We compiled 50 of the most actionable, successful tipsto improve your productivity.

Organic Marketing AnalyticsMissy Randall, Content Directormrandall@omalab.comJanuary 2014

#1. Start your day the day before.Kathryn McKinnon, Time Management Expert & Author

When we interviewed Kathryn McKinnon, one of her most actionable tips was to start your day… yesterday.By planning out your agenda the night before, you’ll get a clearer idea of how much needs to be

accomplished. From there, you can properly manage your time.

"I start the day before by looking at what I need to do the next day. And then, I begin each day, even before Iget out of bed, I just think for a minute, What do I need to accomplish today? And what would I really love to

experience today? And my mind sort of goes into gear." says Kathryn.

#2. Exist in the present.Craig Jarrow, Author of “Time Management Ninja”

It’s easy to get lost in thinking about future projects, but if you want to stay on task, don’t. To avoid gettingoverwhelmed, don’t think beyond the tasks for that day.

“We all spend too much time worrying,” says Craig Jarrow, Author of “Time Management Ninja”. “You can’tchange yesterday, and you can’t predict the future. Live in the present.” he advises.

#3. Go into “monk mode”.Greg McKeown, Author of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

If you find yourself constantly distracted, go into ‘monk mode’. Author Greg McKeown, while working on his book,shut himself in a room and turned on an email responder. He alerted friends, family and co­workers that he was

facing a deadline, and was unavailable for certain parts of the day.

Try finding a quiet space and removing all distractions ­ put up social media blocks, keep your phone away, andpower through the task at hand.

#4. Use Chrome extensions.Wade Foster, Co­founder & CEO at Zapier

Chrome extensions are versatile ­ and that versatility extends to staying efficient. Wade Foster, Co­founder &CEO at Zapier, is a big believer of using Chrome apps to get more accomplished, including plug­ins such as

ToDo, which creates a striking visual that reminds you to stay focused.

#5. Use hard stops.Steve Tobak, Management Consultant & Executive Coach

It’s easy to commit to working for a few hour long periods, but ultimately, ineffective. Instead of blocking out time,try utilizing hard stops. Management Consultant & Executive Coach Steve Tobak says that hard stops work

because “deadlines force discipline.”

Choose a time that you’ll cease working on a project or report, and stick to it.

#6. Don’t check email in the morning.Gabrielle Fishman, Productivity Expert

Instead of checking email immediately when getting up, try holding off until after lunch. Gabrielle Fishmanexplained in our recent interview that checking email in the morning can actually hinder your productivity.

“Once you check email, you are on somebody else’s agenda. It doesn’t matter how many messages you have,you’re going to end up working on those messages.”

Take control of your own schedule and don’t answer emails until early afternoon.

#7. Actually use the time you free up.Perry Marshall, President of Perry S. Marshall & Associates,

Author of 80/20 Sales and Marketing

Once you free up time, make sure you’re putting it to good use. Perry Marshall, author of 80/20 Sales AndMarketing, advises up and coming entrepreneurs and professionals to hire people to take care of “mundane

tasks”, such as cleaning and chores.

The time you free could be put towards getting more accomplished.

#8. Eliminate the “running on fumes” feeling.The Pomodoro Technique

One of the most actionable take­aways from The Pomodoro Technique is to stop working yourself to the bone.By eliminating “burn out”, you won’t feel exhausted after finishing a project or task. Try working for less time or

take more breaks during your work periods.

#9. Don't Over­Do Your Methods.Thorin Klosowski, Writer for Lifehacker.org

There are hundreds of methods for effectively managing your time, but if you spend all your time utilizing allmethods, tools and apps, you’ll be less productive. Thorin Klosowski, Writer for Lifehacker.org encourages

professionals not to go into time management overload.

A good rule of thumb is the more complicated your methods, the less likely you’ll stick to them.

#10. Limit Your Work In Progress.Mark Shead, Founder and President of Xeric Corporation

Don’t have multiple projects that are “pending”. Mark Shead, Founder and President of Xeric Corporation,suggests “don’t start on anything else until you finish” whatever you’re working on.

Start by consolidating or reducing your workload, only allowing a certain amount of pending projects at any giventime.

#11. Chunk out 20 minutes for a walk.Dan Scalco, Chief Creative Officer & Founder at Digitalux

Even short bursts of exercise can make you happier and more productive. Dan Scalco, Chief Creative Officer &Founder at Digitalux, revealed in our recent interview that he uses this method to help break up his workday.

“ I get away from my computer, I get away from my phone and email and all that stuff; and I just let my mind justrest and think about whatever it wants to think about.” says Dan.

Don’t over complicate it ­ walk up and down the block, or get on a treadmill.

#12. Treat projects like a roadmap.Michael Angeles, Konigi.com

See every project as a journey, not a destination. Michael Angeles of Konigi.com says to “break the high leveldown into steps” and dedicate enough time and creative energy for each stop. In the long run, your work will be

better.

#13. Monitor Your Output.Mathew Carpenter, Founder of Sofa Moolah

Stop focusing on what you haven’t done, and focus on what you’ve actually produced. Mathew Carpenter,Founder of Sofa Moolah, recommends keeping track of your time using this formula: “time spent versus output.”

This exercise is key in establishing how your time isn’t being used effectively, and will enable you to correct it.

#14. Go beyond willpower. Understand how your brainworks.

Gregory Ciotti, Founder of Sparring Mind

Start monitoring your habits ­ you can’t fix bad ones until you know what they are. Gregory Ciotti, founder ofSparring Mind, reveals that “willpower alone will not be enough”. The science behind productivity suggests thatwe fear big projects because we fear failure. Some of the most productive people actually get success by the

quality of their work, instead of the quantity spent on doing it.

#15. Take a two minute hit of dopamine ­ then go backto work.

Joseph Buchignani, Cyborganize.com

Sometimes, a quick laugh or call with a friend is all you need to get pumped up. If you’re feeling stuck, dosomething you know will lift your spirits. You’ll be surprised at how using what Joseph Buchignani calls the “the

power of distraction” to get you through mundane tasks.

Watch a funny YouTube video or call a friend ­ then get back to the task at hand.

#16. One Word. Chunking.Matthew Cornell, Research Fellow at University of Massachusetts

“Chunking” might sound like a chip dipping strategy, but it’s actually a method of time management. MatthewCornell, Research Fellow at University of Massachusetts suggests “chunking” or to “break larger tasks into small

actions,” is based on the science that the brain processes information when’s it’s organized in a list.

#17. Take 18 minutes each day.Peter Bregman, Author of 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus,

Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done

Over a work day, you should take on average, 18 minutes to plan and monitor your progress. Peter Bregman,Author of 18 Minutes, mastered a daily time management strategy that includes five minutes in the morning, one

minute per hour, and five minutes in the evening.

The time should reflect on your productivity ­ whether or not you’re actually getting your work done.

#18. Do your work, especially on the bad days.Jeff Haden, Owner, Blackbird Media

Having a rough day? Don’t slack off. Jeff Haden, Owner of Blackbird Media, compiled a list of seven ways toachieve extraordinary productivity, including that you should do your best work even on the worst days.

“Remarkably successful people don’t make excuses,” says Haden.

#19. Do the opposite of how you feel.Joe Wilner, Author of Shake Off The Grind

Feel like taking the day off? Instead, make it an entirely productive day. Joe Wilner, Author of Shake Off TheGrind, suggests that doing the opposite of what we feel helps overcome bad habits. By practicing this, Wilnersays “we are rewiring our brain to respond in new and more healthy ways,” instead of slipping back into old

routines.

#20. Prune relentlessly.Todd Henry, Founder and CEO of Accidental Creative

The most productive individuals are always pruning ­ eliminating everything from unnecessary projects andcommitments to excess emails. Todd Henry, Founder and CEO of Accidental Creative says pruning is an ideal

way to “preserve the energy needed” for projects that move you closer to your goal.

By limiting the amount of tasks you need to accomplish, you focus on what’s truly important.

#21. Let go of perfection.Rebecca Watson, Freelance Writer

It’s tempting to let yourself work on something until you deem it ‘perfect’. For most people, this day never comes.As Rebecca Watson, a freelance writer recommends “you’ve got to let perfection go. It’s boring anyway.”

By continuing to work on a finished project that’s way past it’s due date wastes time.

#22. Stop bragging about how ‘busy’ you are.psuhasjobs.com

Don’t stay busy for the sake of being unavailable. When you’re “frantic, [the] wasted energy is undignified”, sayspsuhasjobs.com. Put all your energy into whatever work you have to get done while holding on to your priorities.

Don’t stress yourself out or brag about how busy you are­ it takes away from your progress.

#23. Do only three things a day.Chris Brogan, Publisher of Owner Magazine,

CEO & President of Human Business Works

Long, elaborate lists of tasks are too daunting. Instead, cut it down, and only set out to do three important things aday. Chris Brogan, the CEO & President of Human Business Works, advises identifying three main tasks or

projects that you want to complete each day.

#24. Find a way to care.Jonathan Mead, Founder of Paid to Exist.

How much of your work do you actually care about? It’s easy to not care about mundane, day to day tasks,especially if your heart just isn’t in it. Find a way to care, otherwise, it’ll be even harder to get motivated. “If I don’tactually care about what I’m doing, it’s very unlikely that it will ever happen,” says Jonathan Mead, Founder of Paid

to Exist.

Think about the impact your work has on your company or organization, or how it will positively add to yourresume or career. Take pride in the work you produce.

#25. Treat yourself.Ali Luke, Writer’s Huddle

Reward yourself for good behavior. Finish that presentation you’re working on? Allow yourself a longer break thatday. Make plans for the weekend. “On a day­to­day basis, you can find things to look forward to,” says author Ali

Luke.

By giving yourself something to look forward to, you give yourself a little boost of energy that can help you powerthrough your week.

#26. Focus on adding value.Greg Shapiro, CEO at Consumer Electronics Association

Many professionals feel an overwhelming pressure to contribute at work or within their industry. There’s nothingwrong with that approach, unless you’re simply going through the motions without adding value.

“Very often, group emails do not require my input or response; I leave that up to the experts on the particularcase.” says Greg Shapiro, CEO at Consumer Electronics Association.

Save your time, energy and expertise for issues you feel you can genuinely contribute to.

#27. Recognize excuses.Jerry Seinfeld, Comedian

Jerry Seinfeld has been credited for the popular “don’t break the chain” productivity technique. Although hedenies it, during his Ask Me Anything segment on Reddit, Seinfeld revealed another handy piece of advice:“Writer's block is a phony, made up, BS excuse for not doing your work.” What excuses are you creating to

procrastinate?

Once you identify it as an excuse, you can work on proactively changing your habits.

#28. Think of future you.Reddit User, via Reddit thread

The version of you that’s currently frustrating and burned out won’t benefit you three months from now.. Althoughyou’re currently stressed, the future you is “feeling a calming sense of accomplishment,” that you can only achieve

if you get there.

Envision yourself finished with a significant task, instead of focusing on your current state.

#29. Only handle it once.Dominique Jackson, Freelance Writer

Don’t keep tapping a project or task ­ get it done as soon as you can. A popular acronym for this is OHIO ­ whichstands for Only Handle It Once. Writer Dominique Jackson recommends this strategy to “prevent small tasks from

adding up.”

Answer that email, or call your client back as soon as you think of it.

#30. Help someone else.Leo Widrich, Buffer.com

Leo Widrich of Buffer.com uses a strategy established by Adam Grant, author of “Give and Take”, to help keephis momentum up. “Helping others often seems like a huge task,” says Widrich, but can make you happier, thus,

more energetic and productive.

When you’re feeling hopeless, try helping someone else.

#31. Find one app that works for you.Hrishikesh, ProductiveMotion.com

Once you find a productivity or time management app that works for you, stick with it. ProductiveMotion.comcompiled a list of 20 useful websites to boost productivity, including popular tools such as calm.com,getpocket.com, and rescuetime.com. Choose one app to work with to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Browse and explore various apps and sites to find productivity tools that fit your needs, then roll with it.

#32. Get happy ­ actually happy.Shawn Achor, Author of The Happiness Advantage

Shawn Anchor’s Ted Talk discusses using happiness to produce better work, and how most of us get thatbackwards. Once you’ve gained a certain level of happiness, Shawn says you can “change every single

educational and business outcome.”

It’s no surprise that the less cheerful you are, the less productive you tend to be.

#33. Let the bad things happen.Tim Ferriss, Author

Instead of worrying or bracing yourself for something bad to happen, prepare yourself for it. Accept the possibilitythat those things can happen, and find a way to cope with it. Author Tim Ferriss advises to stop worrying about

worst case scenarios, and instead, strategize how you’d overcome them.

#34. Make a list of questions.Danny Meyer, Restaurateur

Don’t get stressed about issues that pop up throughout the day. Instead, make a list of them to look over later, andproactively solve. Restaurateur Danny Meyer gets a daily list of questions from his executive assistant from histeam. “She aggregates them so she doesn't have to interrupt me repeatedly during office hours. I'll respond to

those right away,” says Danny.

Stop stressing out over trivial issues by writing them down, then returning to them later.

#35. Examine your content consumption habits.Belle Beth Cooper, Attendly

To defeat your procrastination, identify your biggest time wasters. How much time are you spending on Twitter orReddit? Understanding what your distractions are, whether it be Yahoo News or Inbound.org, will help you avoidthem. Belle Beth Cooper of Attendly recommends cutting down on content for a few hours a day, or even taking a

content sabbatical.

#36. Take a day to plan the future.Roman Stanek, GoodData CEO

On a day to day basis, we tend to lose sight of the bigger picture. In a recent article with Business Insider,GoodData CEO Roman Stanek discussed how one day a month should be spent “outside of the office on a bike

or something,” considering future plans.

Take a day off of work, and consider your progress from the past month. Use that time to plan out the next month,bringing you closer to your overall goal.

#37. Automate what you can.Lauren Licata, Base CRM

The more processes you streamline, the more time and energy you have for other tasks. Lauren Licata, Base

CRM uses examples of social media, data entry and email campaigns as tasks that can be easily automated.“Things you can automate throughout your workday will save you precious time,” Licata says.

When you have an opportunity to use an automation tool or resource, jump on it.

#38. Location, Location, Location.Andrew Laughlan, blur Group Plc

If you’re feeling unproductive, your environment may be to blame. Andrew Laughlan of blur Group Plc makesconnections between various tasks and location ­ to establish where he works the best. “The place, room,

location massively affects how productive I am,” says Laughlan.

Try switching up desks or working outside, if possible. The change in scenery may just be the boost you need.

#39. Work backwards.Ilya Pozin, Founder of Open Me

When writing out your goals, start at the top. Begin with your most challenging goal, and from there, break it downinto actionable projects and smaller tasks. Make an outline, from end to beginning, on how you’re going to

accomplish your goals ­ or you’ll never get started. Ilya Pozin, Founder of Open Me, points out that a dauntingtask, without a strategy, won’t work.

#40. Use your commute.Robin Sharma, Author

Stuck on the train for 45 minutes every morning? Use that time to your advantage. Author Robin Sharmarecommends using that time, even if it’s just 20 minutes, to learn something new. Whether it be a Ted Talk, a

podcast, or a book, reserve that time for enhancing a talent or skill. Little by little, you’ll improve.

#41. Confidence is everything.Jessica Pryce­Jones, The Source

If you convince yourself that a project is too daunting, you’ll never finish it. “Confidence is the gateway to

productivity,” says Jessica Pryce­Jones of The Source. By really believing in your skills and talents, you’ll giveyourself the much needed energy to push forward on tasks.

#42. Write positive words ­ even passwords.Kathleen O’Malley, Frugal Portland

Find ways to incorporate positive words into your everyday work routine. Kathleen O’Malley of Frugal Portlandrecommends changing your passwords to include something positive ­ since they’re repetitive words you use ona day to day basis. Although it seems trivial, “it’s the little mood boosters we need to focus on our (sometimes)

mundane tasks,” says O’Malley.

There’s a connection between what you write and how you feel ­ so keep it peppy.

#43. Trick yourself into being early.Ann Castro, Author

If you find that you’re constantly late, try tricking your brain into being early. In an article for Mashable, Ann Castro,

author, revealed that she keeps her clock an hour earlier than the actual time. Without any distractions from otherpeople, she gets up earlier and calls this time her “most productive hour of the day.”

#44. Recognize that you’re not a machine.Courtney Carver, bemorewithless.com

Despite popular belief, there is such a thing as being too productive. The more work you produce, the less timeyou have to rest and recharge ­ and the sooner you’ll crash. “We are people, not machines,” says Courtney Carver

of bemorewithless.com. In the end, having less tasks and more rest will ultimately make us more productive.

#45. Set small, specific tasks.Neurolove.me

When setting out to get something done, start by breaking up larger projects into those small, manageable tasks.Neurolove.me recommends more specific tasks, and a “set estimated time to do each task” that won’t allow you

to put it off.

It feels great to get a huge project done, and each project consists of little tasks.

#46. Each day, chip away at a huge project.Demian Farnworth, Copyblogger

In a brilliant article for Copyblogger, Demian Farnworth explains the various productivity tactics he picked up fromhis grandfather. A dynamite example was chipping away at a huge project, a little at a time. “It didn’t matter if itwas only for 30 minutes, he worked on building his house,” said Farnworth. “Over time a house rose out of the

earth.”

Choose a looming project that can be broken up into little, tiny tasks, and set out to just one task every day.

#47. Celebrate your wins.Emma Chapman, Co­Author of A Beautiful Mess

When you do finish a huge task or project, don’t forget to celebrate your win. “It's ok to feel super pumped andproud when you complete a tough goal,” says Emma Chapman, Co­Author of lifestyle blog, A Beautiful Mess.Instead of pushing on to the next task at hand, try relaxing and finding a way to feel happy about your success.

Recognize your victory.

#48. Believe in the benefits of rest.Tony Schwartz, The New York Times

We’re hard wired to be as productive and busy as possible. So much in fact, we refuse to believe that anythinggood can come from stopping. In an article by The New York Times, Tony Schwartz reveals that science backs up

the benefits of taking breaks.

Whether it be a nap, a lunch away from your desk, or a vacation, studies have proved that you’ll be much moreproductive when you return to work.

#49. Listen to your body.Raquel Miranda Ramirez, rmrsocialmedia.com

Don’t ignore basic physical needs ­ eating, sleeping, etc. in the midst of a looming deadline. Raquel MirandaRamirez, a social media coach, advises listening to your body’s “cues” to establish what you need. “As adults, wemanifest [stress] in other unhealthy ways: anxiety, moodiness, depression, or agitation,” which in turn, are bad for

our health and productivity.

By grabbing a quick snack, or stretching, we’re enabling ourselves to feel physically refreshed.

#50. Trick your brain with mundane options.Sarah Von Bargen, Yes and Yes

Sarah Von Bargen of YesandYes.com, recognizes that one of the most difficult things to do when you get homefrom work is avoiding the crash. While it’s tempting to completely veg out, Sarah says it’s important to distractyourself with a task to keep yourself focused. “Those first ten minutes of my time away from work set the tone for

the rest of my evening,” says Von Bargen.

By continuing a task­oriented mindset, it’ll be easier to keep going.