10 Rules to Boost Your Productivity

Does it seem like you work and work all day, but don't have much to show for it at the end of the day? Do your days seem to fly by without much profit or significant results? Is your long to-do list even longer at the end of each day? Well, apply these 10 simple, but deceivingly powerful rules to your work day and see how your productivity is enhanced and your time maximized.

1. Plan your day from beginning to end.You've heard it said time and time again (and there's a good reason for that): "Fail to plan and plan to fail." Of course, you must remain flexible enough to not be completely thrown off by the slightest unforeseen event, but plan your day so your essential tasks are scheduled into the number of hours available in a day. This includes having a set time to get up in the morning, and go to bed at night.
2. Establish a set routine for all your essential tasks.When you make a habit out of tasks you MUST complete on a daily basis, they become much more automatic and are completed faster and more efficiently. When tasks become habitual you will also feel an urge to complete them, which will ensure things get done.
3. Avoid distractions at all costs.This is the obvious one! Turn off the phone and the tv. Asks family and friends to respect your work time and refrain from interrupting you. Ignore outside noises . . . You get the idea.
4. Work steadily for 50 minutes, then rest 10 minutes. Repeat.Focus on work for a steady, consecutive, 50 minute time period. At the end of the 50 minutes, stand, walk around breathing deeply, have some water, use the bathroom. At the end of the 10 minutes, congratulate yourself for the work you have already completed and begin a new 50 minute period of focused work. You'll be amazed at how much you actually get done in each 50 minute period!
5. Use a timer.Don't trust yourself to keep track of the 50:10 cycle. Use a countdown timer both to keep you on task during the 50 minute work period, and to bring you back to work after the 10 minute breaks.
6. Spend 90% of your work time on Profitable tasks.This is where most people fail. It is very easy to look and feel busy, but accomplish nothing. Just because there's a lot of dust being moved around, doesn't mean a structure is actually getting built. Make sure that the tasks you are completing lead to some sort of profitable result.
7. Limit email tasks to 30 minutes once a day.Email is the BIGGEST distracter of all. It is dangerously deceiving. See, most people check their email several times during the day. Each time they spend a minimum of 15-20 minutes going through what can easily be defined as junk. Add it up, and you end up with a couple hours of wasted time.
8. Do NOT multitask.Trying to complete multiple tasks at the same time only helps to reduce your effectiveness and produces poor results. Focus on one task at a time and do it as well and as quickly as possible. Only when it is satisfactorily completed should you move on to the next task on the list.
9. Exercise daily and Drink plenty of Water.Exercise is the only true source of lasting energy. If your body is weak, your work will also be weak. Water helps your body function properly. After all, a dehydrated brain cannot concentrate on creative, meaningful solutions or on the completion of tasks which require focus.
10. Schedule time for family and yourself.Your family is more than likely the reason for your drive and desire for success. So, don't neglect them. Plus, they will be much more cooperative and understanding if they know that they will have some real quality time with you soon!