Productivity: The Secret Sauce

Catherine MorganCareer Transition Coach | Business Consultant

Point A to Point B Transitions Inc.

Time is scarce

• Time is your most valuable commodity• No matter how much time we have,

it never seems like enough– Family– Career– Fitness– Volunteering– Hobbies– Other?

Who gets more done?

• Someone with a lot of spare time?• Someone with a lot of commitments?

The inner game of productivity

• Need to create good mental space • Invalidate negative self-talk

Taming the “monkey mind”

• How do you calm the “chatter”– Exercise like walking, running, swimming– Meditation– Yoga– Other?

Know when your peak times are

• When are you usually at your best?– Are you a morning person?– Do you prefer late night for thinking?

How to find more time

• Find out where your “leaks” are– Keep track of what you do for a week– Usual time-sucks include:• Watching TV• Internet surfing• Interacting on social media• Playing video games• Writing long e-mails• Meetings• Volunteering

What causes overwhelm?

“Overwhelm is caused by NOT knowing WHAT to do,

not by having too much to do.”~ Michael Port

How to get past overwhelm

• Get things out of your head– Trying to remember too many things can

cause immediate overwhelm

Capture all tasks

• Overwhelm will subside when you get into action

• Capture everything you need to do in some way (paper, software, phone app)

Out of the brain and on to…

• Everybody is different – No tech: Lists and sticky notes

• Sticky note fun:– Write each task on a sticky note– Put all notes on your left – When a task is done, move

note to the right side for a visual sense of completion

Software that really helps

• WorkFlowy• Evernote• iDoneThis

Create logical groups

• Once out of your head, tasks can be combined into logical groups or projects– Business projects– Personal chores– Administrative tasks

First way to prioritize: Cha-ching!

• #1. Do the task that is the most important– Hint: The fast path to the cash

Second way to prioritize: Gulp

• #2. Do the dreaded task first

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you

the rest of the day.” ~ Mark Twain

Third way to prioritize: Check

• #3. Do the easy things first – Build momentum

Fourth way to prioritize: Whoo-hoo!

• #4. Gauge your enthusiasm – Which task gets you excited? – Do that first to get a little energy that can

carry over to the ones that are not so fun

Your friend the calendar

• Be hands-on: Use your calendar! – Go through your commitments and

other projects– Define specific tasks and block out times – Also schedule in breaks and fun

Add in constraints for productivity

• Work will expand to the amount of time you give it

• Set deadlines - even if they are fake• Bracket your time with other things

that can’t move• Keep some kind of a schedule (and

keep your sanity)

Some bonus tips

• Try using a timer with 45 or 50 minute blocks and then take 15 or 10 minute breaks

• Write a list for the next day when you are finished with your work day or at night– You may relax and sleep better – and feel more

productive in the morning

Notice avoidance behaviors

• This happens frequently when what we need to be doing is scary or tedious

• Notice when you start doing something (anything!) to avoid the dreaded task– Laundry– Organizing your office– Cleaning– E-mail

Need to have or nice to have?

• Job seekers can get sidetracked thinking they need to: – Learn some software package – Get a specific certification

Banish crazy-busy

• Forget crazy-busy– It’s the new normal

Questions?

Catherine MorganCareer Transition Coach | Business ConsultantPoint A to Point B Transitions Inc.877.672.5333Catherine@PointAtoPointBTransitions.comLinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/PointAtoPointB Twitter @PointA_PointB

Catherine speaks on:- Productivity- Entrepreneurship- Small Business- Career Transition