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Prioritize every item on your list. A simple way to do this is look at your list and ask yourself, 'at end of today, what one thing on my list, if finished, will have biggest positive impact on my life?' The answer to that is your number one priority. Ask that question again with remaining items on your list. That's your number two item. Continue this until your list is complete.
7. Schedule those activities
For every action item in step 5, schedule when you will do it and how long it will take. Resolve to stick to schedule. You can take two approaches to scheduling. First, and way to ensure you get most important work done, is to schedule your first priority item first in day, then your second, and so on. You can also schedule your high priority items during your most productive hours. You have high and low productive times during day. You know when they are, not me (if you don't know, pay attention to yourself for next couple of weeks and figure it out). Scheduling this way ensures you devote your best time to most important activities, but if your most productive time is not first thing in morning you run a greater risk of your high priority items not being done.
8. Go with Flow
Be aware that day has a way of stealing your time. Keep your 80/20 priorities in mind when new things come up. Make sure to prioritize and evaluate new things that come. Don't sacrifice an important item on your list to do something less important. At same time, keep an open mind and be willing to flow with new items. Your schedule and list is there to help you - if something new comes up that will be more beneficial for you, go with it.
9. Go one at a time
Work through you list and schedule in order you have it. For big tasks, don't be overwhelmed by number of tasks, just work through them one at a time. Put your attention solely on task at hand. For vital action items, try to remove distractions. Turn off phone, close door, or work at a time when everyone else is asleep. You can finish a task that you might think would take you three hours in one hour if you put 100% of your attention on it.
Try following these 9 steps and watch your productivity explode!
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Avish Parashar is a speaker and trainer who uses the principles of improvisational comedy to run seminars on productivity, leadership, teamwork, creativity, and communication. Avish produces 'The Comedic Advantage E-Zine,' which contains powerful techniques to help you unleash your creativity to maximize your business and personal success. For more info visit http://www.avishparashar.com