Seven Simple Tips to Stay on Task
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Seven Simple Tips to Stay on Task
Do you have a difficult time staying on task? If you feel as though you’re spending a whole day just trying to get started, while never actually getting anything done, you can do something about it!
There are some very simple ways to help you regain your focus and stay on task, no matter what the day brings. In fact, some of these strategies are so simple that you may question whether they really are effective. The truth is, the simplest of strategies often yields the greatest result.
Here are seven simple tips you can use to help you stay on task:
1. Keep a list. Create a daily task list on paper for your whole day or week. If you think creating a list in your mind is just as effective, think again. The truth is, you’re more likely to waste precious time just trying to remember what’s ahead!
- When you take the time to create a list, you’re giving yourself a visual confirmation of what’s next. When you have a list to refer to, there’s no arguing what comes next and you won’t have any excuse to stray from your plan.
2. Schedule time for meetings and events. Set up specific times when people can come in and interrupt your work. Let your co-workers know what works for you and strive to stick to it as much as possible.
- For example, it’s often helpful if your co-workers know they need to leave you alone for two or three hours in the morning, but then after that they can come in and ask questions or get advice from you as needed.
3. Refuse to check email every five seconds. If you interrupt your workday by checking your email too frequently, you can get side tracked just as you are building momentum. Set specific times when you check email. It could be twice a day, or every few hours, but the goal is to eliminate unnecessary distractions.
- You can also send an automated reply that explains when you check email and when the sender should expect a response. I’m sure people can wait a few hours for a response!
4. Schedule your time for Facebook, Twitter and instant messaging services. Sure, communicating with your friends and customers is important, but it distracts you from the task at hand and keeps you from building precious momentum.
- I found that Twitter Time Saver in conjunction with Advanced Twitter Marketing has helped me to manage Twitter to make it part of my productive work schedule and not allow it to become a disruption
5. Use headphones to block out noise. If you have trouble focusing on your work because of the noise around you, wear a pair of noise-canceling headphones. If you don’t want any sound at all, get some earplugs; it’ll save your sanity!
6. Get a comfortable chair. Did you know that productivity and comfort go hand-in-hand? It’s true. Having a comfortable chair makes a huge difference in how you think, feel, and perform. If a new chair is out of the budget, get one of those chair cushions. You’ll find that it’s a purchase that pays for itself.
7. Clean up your workspace. When your desk is clean and organized, it’s much easier to stay focused on the task at hand. Why? Because you don’t have to wade through the stacks and clutter to find what you need.
- Even seeing the piles of junk in your peripheral vision may increase your internal tension! Keep only what you need for your current task and put everything else in its place.
Do you think you can implement some of these simple tips in your workflow? I know you can!
You’ll experience a huge difference in your productivity and – more importantly – your happiness, when you apply even just a few of these time-saving techniques. You’ll be able to get more done faster than ever, leaving you with time for more important things, like having fun!
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13 Comments
June 16th, 2009 at 11:30 am
[...] Luca put an intriguing blog post on Seven Simple Tips to Stay on Task | Internet Marketing ExplainedHere’s a quick excerptKeep a list. Create a daily task list on paper for your whole day or week. If you think creating a list in your mind is just as effective, think again. The truth is, you’re more likely to waste precious time just trying to remember what’s … If you interrupt your workday by checking your email too frequently, you can get side tracked just as you are building momentum. Set specific times when you check email. It could be twice a day, or every few hours, but the goal is to … [...]
June 16th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I am not big on lists. I only want two items that must be done and reward myself when they are finished. Use the white board or mind maps for planning and the to do list are the very specific tasks that need to be done NOW. Ignore everything until it is done then I can tweet and email etc.
Mike Paetzold´s last blog ..The Real Deal With Blogging
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Luca Reply:
June 16th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I like that Mike. Keep the list to must accomplish. Sometimes having a long list of things to do can be overwhelmimg. I’m starting to schedule my time more effectively – consistency is also key
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June 16th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Some good tips in your set of tips. Refuse to check email every five seconds – This one use to get me. I was constantly checking my email. Now I generally check it something like twice a day, unless I expect that an email is coning.
You could have left number 7 out. My wife nags me enough about this already. -:)
Lonnie Minton´s last blog ..NoFollow, DoFollow, and CommentLuv
[Reply]
Luca Reply:
June 16th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Hey Lonnie,
My desk needs a lot of help too. If it’s to clean then I can’t find things. It’s a work in progress
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June 16th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Great topic and great suggestions, Luca – time management and staying focused are the hardest areas to master for Internet marketers, since most have never had the freedom to come and go as they please before – they were always dancing to the tune of their bosses. Now they have to be their own ‘time marshall’ and that takes self-discipline many don’t yet have.
I would replace number 7, though, with the suggestion that they try to develop a routine they follow, be it daily or weekly. It’s much easier to stay on track when they do the same thing at the same point each day or week, like writing articles Monday afternoon, doing audios or videos Tuesday afternoon, etc.
Like Lonnie, I think a clean desk is the sign of a sick mind, which is why I say replace #7 instead of making it #8…
Doug Champigny´s last blog ..The Path From Newbie To Six-Figures In Internet Marketing
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June 16th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Always like time management Luca and thses tips will keep you on your task. I am learning some good techniques that I know have helped me out so far so every little bit helps. Thanks.
Andre Arnett´s last blog ..Resell Rights Fortune Price Increase
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June 16th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
These are some great tips Luca,
Unfortunately I need to do just about every one of them.
All kidding aside, this is a great list and one that I am going to do my best to follow.
I also like Doug’s suggestion of doing the same things at the same time on a regular basis. I remember hearing something like if you do something 3 times in a row it becomes habit. May not have that exactly right, but hopefully it’s close.
Brett McEllhiney´s last blog ..Starting Out In Niche Marketing
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June 17th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Oh – the comfortable chair – it does make a difference. Such good advice. I have made a list and put it on my notice-board…just as a reminder!
Fiona´s last blog ..Market Samurai – Rank Tracker Review
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June 18th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Luca,
Good information here…the only one I ‘don’t’ like is the comfortable chair. Typically, if I am thinking about something, I will lean back in my chair to do so, and if the chair is too comfortable, I may fall asleep
.
Other than that, your list is great.
Keep up the good work!
Ron
Ron Barrett´s last blog ..Five Benefits of Using PLR Articles
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June 18th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
These are excellent tips for success. I find that when I make a list I get more done. It is easy to get distracted with Twitter and Facebook, and of course email. Then if you love to write and post on blog comments…there goes your day.
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June 20th, 2009 at 7:51 am
One thing I just thought of is to consider having a separate email address to use for all your memberships/subscriptions. These emails can tend to clog up your mailbox and can also become a huge distraction from the task at hand. I was amazed at how much time this one small change saved for me.
Fiona´s last blog ..Websites for Beginners: Blog vs Website
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June 22nd, 2009 at 8:29 am
Email is one that always kills me. No matter how much I try – I gravitate toward checking the inbox.
I guess a task should be for me to ignore my email
Alex´s last blog ..Google Text Ad Impact On Blog Earning
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