Clever Counsel #12 - 3 Productivity Tips
I recently conducted a very unscientific poll on LinkedIn to ask people if they feel overwhelmed by the amount of "expert advice" they receive - and 85% of respondents said yes.
We receive A LOT of conflicting and confusing information about what we should be doing, how and when.
When working for yourself, it can feel overwhelming to know where to prioritize your time.
Over 10 years of working independently, I've experienced this feeling many times. Here are a few ways I stay focused and productive each day:
Mini Habits - When I feel overwhelmed, I tend to procrastinate. Leveraging the power of "mini habits" helps me to break out of that cycle and get started. I highly recommend reading the book to learn exactly how to use this tool, but the basic principle is to transform a "big" task into a tiny action you could complete in just a couple of minutes (so that it feels less overwhelming and gets some momentum going). For example, if you're trying to get started with a LinkedIn content program but you're in perfectionism-induced paralysis, set a goal to write and post just one sentence to LinkedIn every day for a month. A one-line hot take, a question for the community, a simple discussion starter. That's it. And just see what happens.
Keep 3 To Do Lists - Instead of making a huge, unrealistic list of things I want to get done on work days, I keep three distinct lists I can choose from. A "bare minimum" list, a "good job" list, and a "you're killing it" list. The "bare minimum" list is just a small handful of mission-critical tasks. Some days, that's all I can reasonably manage. On other days, I feel I can achieve more - and so I progress to the more extended lists. Keeping these three different sets of priorities gives me permission to do what feels right for me on any given day - and allows for the natural variation in my mood, energy, circumstances and productivity.
Use A Visual Timer - I'm a big fan of keeping a visual timer on my desk, and using it for 30-minute or 60-minute "bursts" of highly focused, timed work. Similar to the Pomodoro Technique (which is also worth a try), this tactic catapults me into action when I'm struggling to get started. It's especially powerful for my most challenging tasks. There's something magical about starting a timer - it's almost like creating a competition with yourself to see how much you can achieve within a limited period of time. And then I always give myself a little reward at the end of the work "burst" (a game of fetch with my dogs, a quick yoga session or walk, maybe a bit of chocolate...).
If you're like me and you've struggled with just getting started, I encourage you to try out these tips. And if you find something else that works for you, don't keep it to yourself - post it to LinkedIn or social so other self-employed folks can benefit!
