by Andrea Wiley
Some days simply resist being productive. Everyone gets pummeled by life’s challenges: There are mornings when it’s hard to get out of bed and afternoons where you can’t seem to get a thing done. But no matter what level of strife pulls at us, it’s still possible to bring creativity and value to the job we were hired to do. Practicing methods that cultivate productivity routinely may actually help us perform at a higher level during times when it seems the hardest to do so.
It takes discipline, of course. And a lot of it. But it can be done. Start each day with a plan and decide how you are going to work around previously scheduled meetings to accomplish your goals for the day. “Set aside time for responding to emails, but don’t let them determine what your day is going to look like,” says Peter Daisyme, co-founder of Palo-Alto based Hostt, on Inc.com. “Have a plan of attack at the start of the each day, and then do your best to stick to it.” If your to-do list is a mash-up of mindless tasks that require nothing more than a little time, alongside major projects that require a lot of dedicated, focused time, then separate and approach them in different ways. A “short” list of tasks can eat up a whole morning. And the longer they are put off, the longer that short list gets, which becomes overwhelming. Set aside 30 minutes to tackle those annoying things that you have been procrastinating. But before you start checking things off your list, ask yourself if this is something that truly requires your time. Can this be delegated to someone else? Can it wait? Is it even necessary to be done at all? Decide, and then get it out of the way so you can get focused.
According to Fast Company’s Secrets of Productive People, you should carve out and ruthlessly protect 1.5 hours per day for that major project that requires your undivided attention. That is 20 percent of an eight-hour day. “Even if you squander the remaining 80 percent, you can still make great progress if you have spent 90 minutes on your goals or priorities,” says North Carolina-based productivity coach Kimberly Medlock. Having a coworker pop his head into your workspace to chat or ask a simple question may seem harmless, but even brief interruptions can negatively affect your work patterns. Minimizing interruptions may mean setting office hours, keeping your door closed, or working in a place where you are less likely to be found when a deadline looms. A temporary change in your environment can be like finding extra hours in the day. Whether it is a conference room, a coffee shop, or your living room couch, a change of scenery could do you some good — but only if it’s a place without distractions. You are going to need a break, so you can even plan that. Go for a 15-minute walk around the block or take a bike ride along the bluff to help clear your head. Never underestimate the power of fresh air and Vitamin D. Marketing professors point out that if you play music you should be aware of whether it is helping or hindering your performance. Bach or Beet-hoven is appropriate when your work requires thoughtfulness and focus, while the Beastie Boys can provide the beat you need to crank out those routine tasks that just need to get done. But not vice versa. Creativity can arise from chaos, but a cluttered office probably isn’t helping you get it done, let alone done well. “Attention is programmed to pick up what’s novel,” says Josh Davis, director of research at the NeuroLeadership Institute. Visible files and an overflowing in-box remind you of unfinished tasks and hurt the ability to focus. According to a recent study by Harvard Business Review, people with neat offices are more persistent and less frustrated and weary. Co-author Grace Chae, professor at Fox Business School of Business at Temple University, says, “While it can be comforting to relax in your mess, a disorganized environment can be a real obstacle.” It’s time to get out of our comfort zones and exercise discipline. With so much swirling around us that is out of our control at work and in life, it’s easy to lose sight of the basic things we can control. We must be intentional everyday in the choices we make to minimize distractions and create an environment that stimulates productivity every day. Andrea Wiley is director of account management at DCA Creative Communications Consulting. She is an adjunct professor teaching advertising at the University of Memphis and was the 2015-2016 president of the American Advertising Federation, Memphis Chapter. She can be reached at awiley@dcamemphis.com.
