Let’s face it – we are not web working machines. There are several forces that are going against our productivity. These include random distractions, illness, noise, and even the fear of getting started. I’m very familiar with this problem, because even if I apply everything I know about productivity and work habits, I sometimes fall short.
So what do we do if we can’t afford to fall into an unproductive day? In this case, prevention is better than cure. We need to develop systems that will prevent unproductive days, weeks, or moments take over our working lives. We may not be productive 100 percent of the time, but there are some things we can do to develop better work habits:
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As we approach the end of 2008 it is a great time to think about doing a year end review and to begin setting goals for 2009. I’m not usually a fan of the typical New Year’s resolution but the transition into a new year is a logical time to make changes and start something new.
A common goal for a lot of folks is to get organized and be more productive, and for many this means committing to an organizational framework like David Allen’s Getting Things Done. I’ve been thinking about throwing my hat into the GTD ring but it seems like an overwhelming task.
So I was pleased to see our fine mobile friends at jkOnTheRun alerting us that the premier issue of Productive Magazine is available as a free downloadable PDF. This new publication is full of useful information about the GTD system and should be a good resource for the newbie or a seasoned veteran.
My first action item of the day – Done!
Do you GTD? Will Productive Magazine help you Get Things Done?
There are so many available tools and resources on productivity that it’s bound to make one crazy. I confess that I was one of those productivity addicts who subscribed to all the GTD and lifehacking blogs out there, downloaded all the tools I could find, and signed up for every new Web 2.0 service. I lived almost a year of my life doing that, and it’s a wonder that I didn’t get a heart attack.
If you haven’t found satisfaction with any of the productivity tricks you’ve tried, it’s possible that you’re mistaking some of the myths for facts. These myths could come from something you’ve read, or they could be your own preconceived notions. To get productive, you need to get rid of these myths.
What are they and how do you debunk them?
There is one system to rule them all.
Once you get into David Allen’s Getting Things Done, or other similar productivity systems, it doesn’t mean you have to stick to its rules permanently. There is no perfect system that’s already pre-made for you. You need a bit of time, as well as trial and error, to find something that works.
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Web Work 101: How To Escape The Cubicle
