Sometimes it seems like I have an endless to-do list. Appointments for my kids, my grandparents and myself. Blog posts to write. Chores. Dinner. I can go on and on. I’m sure you can too. Do you ever feel like despite how many things you cross off your to-do list, you still aren’t productive? Do you lie in bed thinking about everything that didn’t get done and now has to be pushed back until tomorrow? Productivity is defined as: the effectiveness of productive effort. Whatever. Productivity to me–Did I get done what needed to be done TODAY?!
I was super excited to read The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey. The book really helped me put my goals into perspective and find out which tasks I should spend the most time because they will produce the greatest results.
For example, I love blogging but, being on the internet can be a huge time sucker for me. I can spend hours online and feel like I’ve accomplished nothing.
After taking Chris Bailey’s advice I focused on the 3 major tasks that would give me the most bang for my buck when it comes to blogging. Want to know what they are? Of course you do!
To be the most productive in regards to this blog I need to focus on these 3 things:
Writing posts. The gives you new content to read, love and share. Right?!
Promoting Posts. You’ll never see my awesome articles if I am not showing them to you on FB, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram. Or all of these awesome Linky Parties I try to link to each week.
Learning as much as a I can about blogging. I am still very much a newbie. I have been blogging for 7 months now. The first 2 months of blog were spent on taking courses and trying to figure this whole thing out.
I really did learn a lot from The Productivity Project and want to share the best tips in the book.
Tips to Increase Productivity
- Give yourself fake deadlines. This will motivate you to work harder in a shorter amount of time.
- Do a brain dump. Get out a pen and paper and write down every single task and duty you are responsible for. Appointments you haven’t made. Cleaning that needs to be started. Maintenance on your vehicles. Everything. You’ll be amazed at how many things are in your brain! Get them on paper so you can give them a plan.
- Re-evaluate your cleaning schedule. I had a cleaning schedule where I would do a few tasks each day. When they didn’t get done I would feel like a failure. My cleaning schedule just wasn’t working for me. When you read this book you’ll see that Chris Bailey has a “Maintenance Day” this is the day he does his cleaning. This actually worked for me. I do my major cleaning on Fridays, it takes up about 2-3 hours depending on how slow or fast I’m moving. That’s it, 2-3 hours and my house is clean. I love it. During the week my cleaning plan consists of keeping the kitchen and living room presentable. Actually the living room is my son’s job, so I don’t bother. I feel so much less stress because I know my house is clean, toilets are scrubbed, and all I have to keep up with during the week is the kitchen.
- Limit your time on social media. This was HUGE for me.
There really are so many great ideas and tips for productivity in The Productivity Project. This would be a great read for bloggers, small business owners, high-school or college students or busy moms. You can check out more cool books at Blogging For Books.
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This sounds like a great book to read. Thank you for sharing some of the tips you learned from reading it. I manage to get a good bit done in a day, but there are sometimes when I get behind the eight ball. When I do, it’s BAD! I need to stay productive ALL.The.Time. 🙂
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These are really some great tips on increasing productivity. Now I need to take my pen and paper.
Thank you for this great review! I love finding new books to read!
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Productivity is a constant struggle, isn’t it? As a blogger part of your job is to be on social media and network, but it’s so easy to get distracted and all of the sudden it’s 3 hours later and you have nothing to show for your afternoon. It sounds like a good read, I’m planning to check it out.
I hate the 3 hours later and nothing to show for it! I am very much a doer and need to cross things off my list (on paper or mentally) to feel productive!
Great review – those are all practical and do-able tips. Looks like a good book. #HomeMattersParty
I really like this post (and will check out the book.) It’s so important to focus and prioritize when you’re blogging. The tasks can seem overwhelming. These looks like great tips. Thanks so much for sharing them! #homeMattersParty
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