1. Don’t get overwhelmed. Looking at everything you have to do at
one time can be discouraging, but remind yourself you will soon
have it all done.
2. Organize your workspace. You’ll spend less time looking for what
you need.
3. Make sure the space is comfortable. You’ll work better when the
surroundings are pleasant.
4. Double check to make sure you have what you need before you
start. It will save a lot of time later.
5. Cut off contact with others while you work. This is especially
important if you work at home.
6. Eliminate all distractions. That means no television in the
background.
7. Eat healthy. You’ll be sharper if you get the nutrients you need each
day.
8. Have a basic schedule for each day – that means no impromptu
three-hour lunches.

9. Don’t skip lunches. You need the break to keep your productivity up
in the afternoon.
10. Stop your day on time. Working into the night will make
tomorrow that much harder.
11. Get plenty of rest. Along with nutrition, this is the best thing you
can do to keep yourself productive.
12. Start the day with a promise to yourself that you will get lots
done.
13. Go to your work area even if you woke up in grumpy mood.
14. Make a list. When it is all down in black and white, your tasks
seem less intimidating.
15. Prioritize the list. What has to be done first and what can wait
until later?
16. Be realistic. You can’t cram twenty one-hour tasks into one day.
17. Know your body rhythm. If you are more alert in the afternoon,
schedule the bulk of your tasks then. If you are a pretty even
individual, schedule each hour of the workday accordingly.
18. Do the easy stuff at the top of the list first. Scratching off several
action items will motivate you to keep going.

19. Multi-task on the small stuff. It is okay to make a surf Twitter
while you make phone calls.
20. Forget multi-tasking with the big stuff. Focus on one thing and
get it done before moving on to the next.
21. Proof your work before going on. It’ll prevent you from having to
do things twice.
22. Try to arrange to do like things in one block of time. Write all
your blogs, then do all your social networking, then send out your
emails. It’ll make life a lot easier.
23. Allow for the unexpected. Things come up, so build a few blocks
of time into your schedule to handle them.
24. Handle the unexpected, then get back to the next task on your
list.
25. Plan some buffer time in between tasks. It will give your brain a
chance to rest and start the next task with a fresh attitude.
26. Don’t be upset when something temporarily derails your
schedule. Things will work out all right.
27. Accept that circumstances beyond your control may make it
impossible to do something on your list today.

28. Don’t sweat the delay, simply make that task the priority
tomorrow.
29. Keep in mind some tasks may have to be scheduled to
accommodate others.
30. Delegate if and when you can. Believe it or not, you don’t have
to do everything yourself.
31. Scan information when possible. You’ll still get what you need,
just a little faster.
32. Put things away when you are done with them. It’ll save you
time when you need them again.
33. Check off items as you go. Seeing the list shrink is motivating.
34. Get away from your desk or laptop now and then. Even two
minutes away will rest your eyes and keep you from slowing down.
35. Keep a second list for things that pop into your head while
working on other stuff. You can refer to it later as necessary.
36. Take a break in the afternoon – a real one, not two minutes to
rest your eyes. Fifteen minutes will take away a lot of stress and
make it easier to keep going.
37. Bookmark important web sites; this includes your web site, your
social networking login pages, and any reference sites you use

regularly.
38. Archive all your web copy on a remote storage device. Update
the stored data every time you make a change.
39. Make sure your hard drive files as well as your hard copy files
are always in order, so you can find what you need at once.
40. Keep your office stocked with supplies; otherwise, you’ll have to
interrupt your day to go get something you need right this minute
and waste valuable time.
41. Do as much ordering, funds transfers, and other tasks via the
Internet as you can. You save time doing your errands from your
desk.
42. Keep something to drink handy. A bottle of water nearby saves
time on trips to the refrigerator.
43. Schedule one hour near the end of the day as a catch up period.
Any tasks that got put off earlier can be addressed during that time.
44. Prepare your schedule for the following day. It’ll make it easier
to dive in when morning comes.
45. Review what you have accomplished. You’ll be surprised and
pleased at everything that got handled.

46. Lay out what you will need to handle those first few tasks on the
new day.
47. Check the printer for paper and ink; make sure there is plenty
for the next day.
48. Organize your work space before you leave. It’ll be easier to face
in the morning.
49. Close the door, pull the curtain, do whatever you must do in
order to separate your work space from your living space.
50. Leave your work area and do not return until the next day, no
matter how tempting it is to return to do one more thing.