Tips for Productivity

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I have a lot of weaknesses.  A lot.  I am not secure enough to list them all out for you.   You’re welcome.  I will, however, tell you one thing I am good at:  being productive.  Efficiency and productivity are kind of my thing(s).  So, if you’re like me {or rather not like me and therefore might benefit from this post}, I thought I’d share some of my tips for being productive.  You can thank me by sending me your tips on more intentional parenting.

What happens when the muse fairy can't be found?

Tips for Productivity

Step 1: Getting rid of distractions

I can’t exactly tell Rebekah and Luke to quit crying {though I have instituted taking turns on who gets to cry} but I can set up some good boundaries for actually getting work done at home.  I believe in a good home office, white noise, and general organization.  But what do you do when you have have writer’s {or worker’s} block?  Even if you do everything known to man to get to work, that doesn’t mean the muse fairy will hit you over the head with a brilliant idea or plan that will set you on a pedestal for the rest of your life.  While it’s crucial to clear your mind, ears, and desk of distractions, bottom line is you still have to work.

Step 2: Getting rid of writer’s (worker’s) block

So, here are few tips for breaking the barrier when you’re staring at a blank screen:

• Sit and think for 10 minutes.  Seriously, before you give yourself (another) break, try to come up with a starting point.  It’s not that I don’t value breaks- in fact I have a lot due to the nature of my work day and kids.  However, I think it’s easy to procrastinate by allowing yourself too many.
• Make a list of things that need to get done and start doing them- it may be that you have a break-through as you make the list or start checking things off.  Sometimes, the feeling of accomplishment is enough to get your mind going.
• If you’re writing, do a google search and see what others have written.  Sometimes this is good fodder for a new idea or a response to someone else’s.  I find that I write best {i.e. not plagiarize} if I read an article and then close it, whether I agree with it or not.
• Since I do work from home and also have small children still at home, I don’t work 9-5.  So, I have a couple hours a couple times a day.  I push it hard while I have the peace and quiet to do it, then when I’m on with the kids, I keep a pad and paper by me so I can jot down any ideas that come to mind.  That way, I’m not working while the kids are around and I also don’t lose an idea.
• Take breaks.  See, I do value breaks.  I just think they need to be earned.
• Frequently, I work on an idea in the back of my head…maybe it’s a real life experience, maybe it’s not, but either way, I find that my best ideas come when I am not technically working.  I usually mull them over in the back of my mind as I wash dishes {we live in the UK- no dishwasher, so there’s lots of that} or pick up toys or even play with the kids.  Then, I either work on it the next chance I get, or I at least write it down so I don’t forget.

All that to say, do what works for you.  If you’re happy with the results, don’t change anything.  If you’re struggling to be productive, rework your work space for minimal distractions.  Then, discipline yourself to actually work.



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