Tag Archive for: productivity

Making an Ignore List

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L is for Lists

L is for Lists (Photo credit: Swiv)

Sometimes even more important than a to-do list is an ignore list. I just made one this weekend actually. I wrote down all the to-dos that I wanted to accomplish. Then I reevaluated this list.

Sure I wanted to finish the slides for a presentation I’m doing in December…but it didn’t need to get done right now. Doing that task would push other more important tasks to the bottom of the pile. So I added it to my ignore list. This doesn’t mean I’ll never get to it – it just means that I don’t need to get to it right now. So I’m ignoring it this weekend.

Doing this will help you to prioritize and really look at each to-do individually. If you don’t have the drive, resources or time to complete that task right now — don’t. Put it on your ignore list. Eventually you can move it to your to-do list and get it done.

Evernote: An App to Organize Your Life

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I basically tell anyone who will listen to me about how amazing Evernote is. It’s an app and website that keeps track of nearly anything you want it to. A friend who is also obsessed with it once called it an “extension of her mind.” I think that’s pretty accurate. Anything you want to keep track of but might forget — should go into Evernote.

Here’s how I’m using it: Read more

Which Professions Are Most Productive?

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Speaking from experience – I’d say most journalists are pretty productive. We have deadlines to keep and strong personalities to deal with – so it’s kind of inevitable. However – my profession didn’t top the list of the most productive. Actually – if you’re a farmer or work in the agriculture area – you win the prize.

WHO?

LinkedIn did a survey of more than 6500 people throughout the world and found that 63% of all professionals frequently create to-do lists. Some 83% of farmers (and the like) said they regularly fulfill most or all of their planned tasks. Lawyers fell to the bottom of the list – with just 66 percent accomplishing all or most of their tasks.

Women were the biggest list makers in the study with 71% saying they used them regularly. Only 60% of men did the same. That doesn’t surprise me – ladies tend to have their stuff together more of the time too! ☺

WHERE?

Turns out 50% of list makers do it by hand, while 45% keep their to-dos electronically. The other 5% do a bunch of different things like use whiteboards, chalkboards or keep their lists in their minds.

How about you? What’s your industry and where do you make your lists?

 

 

How to be a Productivity Junkie

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To-do ListYou already know that I’m a compulsive list maker — but I’m also a productivity junkie. With a to-do list in my hand — it’s pretty hard not to be.

I have my days of course when I feel like I haven’t gotten anything done but for the most part I’m extremely efficient and I have my to-do list to thank.

I was lucky enough to be able to guest blog for the “Life…Your Way” blog this week. Check out my post about Ways a To-Do List Will Help You Do More.

What are your productivity secrets?

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5 Reasons to be a Compulsive List Maker

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To-do ListWhether you write a to-do list, a grocery list or a list of pros and cons – the act of putting thoughts down on paper will be good for your mind, body and soul. I’m not kidding. Making a list will decrease stress, increase productivity, keep you organized and focused, and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Making a list may seem pointless at first, but investing some time into this simple task offers big returns. My beloved journalism professor Cathy Krein always told us to “keep it simple, stupid,” when critiquing our writing. She meant that in the most loving way and I think that statement can be applied to everything in life – including lists.

I’ll get to more benefits in another blog, but here are the reasons you MUST start making lists now:

1. We are forgetful

It’s true – the average adult attention span is 15-20 minutes, so we are bound to let a few tasks fall through the cracks here and there. But you don’t have to!

Read more