14 Simple Productivity Resolutions for 2015 - Inc Magazine

By: Stan Washington
Date: January 02, 2015

Great Article from Inc Magazine.

I like the one about planning your day. My takeaway, "If you start out your day with nothing, that's what you will get." Plan your day and remain focused!

http://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/14-simple-productivity-resolutions-for-2015.html

Picture and article from Inc Magazine

Maximizing productivity is a goal often discussed but rarely reached. As a result, though entrepreneurs actively strive to make the most of their time--reading books, exploring productivity hacks, testing project management tools--too often they feel they've fallen short. Meanwhile, the to-do list gets longer.

But a new year is a great time to start fresh. We asked a panel of successful startup founders from YEC what simple, low- or no-cost resolutions they were going to make for 2015 to keep themselves on track and free of distractions. Their best answers are below.

1. Plan out each day.
I once heard the quote "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail" and it really resonated with me. I find my productivity soars if, each night, I take 10 minutes to write a list of five accomplishments I aim to make the following day. In 2015, I resolve to do this every working day. --Justin Bailie, FR8nex.com

2. Keep meetings to 15 minutes, max.
This is something I've sent out companywide: Meetings shouldn't be longer than 15 minutes. We tried standing last year for the whole meeting, and that worked well, but being even more productive during meetings couldn't hurt! --John Rampton, Host

3. Focus on your weak areas.
Building up your strengths seems logical. After all, those skills got your business where it is today, and doing what you're good at makes you feel good. But the areas you can improve the most are the ones in which you are the weakest. I hope to induce the most improvement in my overall productivity, with the smallest investment of time, by focusing on my weak areas. --Brian Honigman, BrianHonigman.com

4. Invest in better technology.
I tend to stay with what's working for me instead of wasting time constantly switching technology. However, I believe it's time for an upgrade, and that by getting better technology in place, I can be faster and more efficient. --Elizabeth Saunders, Real Life E

5. Book smarter business travel.
I want to get to NYC and San Francisco more often. It's so efficient to spend a few days, multiple times a year, in each of those cities. There are so many great companies, partners, and members of the media to meet with. --Luke Skurman, Niche.com

6. Set up systems that increase efficiency.
My No. 1 productivity resolution is to set up systems and processes that will increase efficiency. As a small business with big clients and a lot of responsibilities, time is usually of the essence. To streamline everything and expand, everything needs to run efficiently. --Stanley Meytin,True Film Production

7. Catch up in the mornings.
Because of my hectic travel schedule, it's easy to get behind on email. Over the years, I have learned to take time each morning to catch up on it before business hours. For 2015, I will delegate half of my time in the air as an opportunity to work and the remaining time as a chance to rest. This resolution will ensure that upon landing, I am caught up on work elements and feeling refreshed. --Sean Marszalek, SDC Nutrition

8. Improve your workspace.
It sounds small, but I need to buy a double monitor! Working on a laptop means that I'm constantly bent over a tiny screen, which hurts my productivity (and my eyes). With a double monitor, I can view more information, organize and focus my workday, and not lose track of all of my documents and windows. --Abby Ross, ThinkCerca

9. Take time to stop working and reflect.
Reflection allows me to be grateful for what I have and consider the right goals to work toward. Then I can sprint in short bursts in the right direction. --Kuty Shalev, Clevertech

10. Create a better work environment.
As the CEO of a mattress company, it's easy for me to think about sleeping on the job. To combat that thought process, I've been playing around with different setups around the office to improve the look and feel of the space. Ultimately, I know that fewer distractions and more physical activity will revolutionize my workflow. --Firas Kittaneh, Amerisleep

11. Stop multitasking.
Often we think that by multitasking we are being more productive. But I've found that it's hard to do many things really well if you are doing them at the same time. You have to focus on one thing at a time. --Randy Rayess, VenturePact

12. Quit time wasters (including Fantasy Football).
I'm in the process of identifying everything in my life that I could eliminate or change to spend more time on important things. I'm writing a list and trying to come up with 50 things. No. 27 is even "Create shorter lists." --Adam Stillman, SparkReel

13. Spend less time responding to email.
In 2015, I'm going to check email less often and spend less time responding to it. --Phil Dumontet, Dashed

14. Unplug and unwind.
The Tao Te Ching says, "High winds do not last all morning/Heavy rain does not last all day." This means that if you want to work intensively and productively, it's vital to unplug and take time to recharge every day, even if it's only for a short time. Start by giving yourself 15 minutes with no Internet or cell phone--whatever it is, it can wait for you to come back relaxed and ready. --Jared Brown, Hubstaff

Being Focused Means Being Productive - Inc. Magazine

Picture and article by Inc.Magazine

By: Stan Washington
Date: May 30, 2014

As I sat down to start my day I immediately opened email. This was my first mistake.  Distraction after distraction I got caught up in becoming very busy.  I looked up and the day was half over.  I worked hard and got nothing done!

Here is what Inc. Magazine says to do:

http://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/5-ways-to-focus-your-mind-and-maximize-productivity.html?cid=sf01002

You may believe that you're productively multitasking as you bounce between your smartphone, tablet, and laptop. The fact is that you're just being distracted. The words productive and multitasking should not be allowed in the same sentence. Single-minded focus is key to productivity.

Distractions like texts from employees or "urgent" emails from clients are time-consuming all on their own. But did you know that it takes up to 28 minutes for your brain to refocus after being interrupted? Wow! A two-minute interruption can lead to a full half-hour gone down the drain. Eight little distractions and half your day is shot.

These 5 steps can send your productivity levels through the roof, and none of them involve multitasking--or email.

1. Set expectations for yourself.

It's easy to drift off into social media, get stuck cleaning out your inbox, and even be drawn to mindless computer games. This is most common when you are unclear or uncertain about your next steps.

Update your task list on a regular basis and assign each item a few very specific, actionable steps leading to completion. With this powerful weapon in hand you will not have to make any decisions about your next steps. This alone will boost your productivity exponentially.

2. Set expectations for others.

If you create a culture that says your door is literally always open, you are asking for trouble. We teach others how to treat us. If your employees, clients, family members, and friends get a favorable response from you each time they interrupt, they will continue to steal your time and attention. You and your business deserve better.

Create specific times for your open door policy and stick to it. Go ahead, have those difficult discussions with the people in your life--being self-employed doesn't mean you have leisure time on your hands seven days a week.

3. Be aware.

Multitasking is nothing more than a procrastination technique. When you are uncertain about your direction or unhappy about having to take on your next task, an interruption feels like a relief. You may tell yourself that a client needs an answer right away or that you'll disappoint an employee if you're not available immediately, but you know it's not true. If you are constantly jumping from one thing to the next without completion you are avoiding something. Ask yourself why. Once you have your answers you can take meaningful action to do and complete more.

4. Turn off notifications.

If you're working on your computer, close any windows you don't need. Then turn off social media notifications, and shut down email, for goodness sake. There are very few things that can't wait an hour or two. It feels good to be needed, but it feels better to be successful.

5. Use a timer.

Your brain can focus intently on a task for up to two hours at a time. Imagine what you could achieve in two uninterrupted hours! Many of my clients say that once they apply these productivity rules they accomplish more in a single morning than they previously did in an entire week. Set an old-fashioned timer for one hour and get to work. Then, set it for five minutes and take a break; stretch your legs, change your environment. Take the timer with you so you don't wander off or get stuck in an unnecessary conversation. The timer rules! Now, give yourself one more uninterrupted hour and feel the magic!