September 25, 2022
One of the things that makes GLC so effective in law firms and professional office settings is our dedication to productivity. We have a talent for finding the most effective and efficient means of getting a task done, creating organizational methods, and maintaining a sense of order and professionalism. These are some of the fundamental points that our company is based on.
When it comes to productivity, there is no solution that is perfect for everyone all of the time. We all struggle to remain productive from time to time. Whether you are a chronic procrastinator, or just feeling a slump this quarter, there is always something that can be done to instill more value into your daily work.
We’ve discussed productivity methods before, but there are just too many possibilities to explore, and too many personality types to satisfy! Here are three more productivity methods to help you through the week. Whether you’re looking for something to help you complete your latest project, or just help you focus on a distracted day, we think you’ll find something that will fit.
Prime Time
Assess the times of the day when you have the most energy.
Are you a morning person? Do you come back from your lunch break ready to tackle the afternoon? Maybe you feel a burst of enthusiasm right after a 3:00 pm cup of coffee?
Every person can feel the individual rhythms of their day. People peak and fall with their own natural cycles. If you can identify the part, or parts, of the day when you have a more natural burst of energy or creativity try to schedule the most important parts of your work to be done during that time frame.
This means you’re aiming to do the things you are least looking forward to, the things that take the most toll on your energy levels, and the things that demand the most focus during a point in the day when you know you’ll be driven to reach goals.
Creating a point in your day when you get the most valuable work done will ideally leave you with time to complete tasks that are less stimulating. This method also allows you time for things that must be done but don’t contribute to long-term goals. Our personal favorite part of this method is that when you use natural energy stores to do valuable work, you’re left with more energy for personal goals as well.
Get It Done
When a task is done EXCEPT the final touches, does it weigh on you? This is the method to ease that problem.
You probably already know what we mean. You’ve done everything that needs to be done, except you need to digitize the files. Except you need to print multiple copies. Except you need to get approval from a manager.
With the “get it done” method you’re looking to carve out time to sufficiently complete any loose ends on a project and cross it off you’re to-do list once and for all!
When finishing touches are left on a project that is otherwise complete it can drain energy and aggravate those of us prone to anxiety. Worse, when a task lingers too long we risk losing the urgency to do it. It lingers on a task list until it is no longer seen.
With this method, you are looking to block distractions, dedicate focus to one thing, and Get It Done from start to actual finish. There is nothing left to procrastinate and nothing left naggining in the back of your mind.
Take this method to the next level by taking time once you have completed the full project by writing out the steps you used to complete it all, one by one. Document what was done, how you felt at the time, and how you feel now for a cathartic feeling at the end.
Don’t Break the Chain
Like a challenge? Who doesn’t?
Don’t Break the Chain will channel your inner competitive nature and your desire to gamify your work in the best possible way.
First, set your goal. Next, establish a daily task that will help you achieve that goal. Mark clearly each day that you are able to complete the task. You might start out with two or three days in a row that you can maintain your streek, but it can be exhilarating to build consistency and know that that consistency contributes to a larger goal.
This is a good method for an ongoing or long-term project. If you are someone who starts out with a lot of enthusiasm and then loses it over time this will help keep you motivated, focused, and ultimately productive until you reach the outcome that you are looking for. In time, you might find that the satisfaction from not breaking your productive chain builds strong routines and helpful habits into your whole day.
Have you tried any particular techniques for productivity? Have you found them to be effective? Have you stuck to the methods for an extended period of time? We’d love to hear how you manage productivity, both in your professional life and outside the office.