Do you ever stop and ask yourself:  “How productive am I really”?

One thing is for certain: We can all become more prolific in some area, and this article will explore 8 unique exercises and techniques you can begin implementing to increase effectiveness.

Try a few of these out over the next few weeks and let me know how you feel:

1. Manage Your Email and Voicemails Three Times Daily

Constantly being interrupted by a never-ending barrage of emails and phone calls is a sure fire way to diminish your productivity.  I highly suggest setting aside three times daily to listen to messages and return emails:  first thing in the morning, right after lunch, and before you finish for the day.  This way, you create opportunity for yourself to remain “in the flow” while doing the most important things.  Remember, almost nothing needs immediate attention!

2. Experiment with Ginkgo Biloba

Although I am not generally a huge fan of supplements, Ginkgo Biloba is a natural remedy that has been used in China and other countries for centuries and has been reputed to reverse memory loss. It’s also suggested by some health practitioners to be a highly effective memory enhancer and has been shown to greatly improve productivity for some people.  Because it is a natural and holistic substance, it’s worth giving it a try for a month or two!

3. Work on Crossword Puzzles

This suggestion came to me from a few readers, and I think its excellent practice work on crossword puzzles, Sodoku, or any other mind game that stretches your bandwidth for learning.  These games are the equivalent of lifting weights for your brain, and can help you stimulate creativity, increase energy and heighten personal productivity.  Give them a try!

4. Use Audio Guidance Sound Technology

The typical human brain emits a frequency of 4-6 megahertz while in deep, dreamless sleep, 6-10 megahertz while dreaming, and 10-14 megahertz while hard at work (or in serious thought).  Audio Guidance technology uses sound patterns to purposefully mold brain patterns into preferred frequencies, and is an incredible tool for increasing productivity!  I love these methods because they are simple and holistic (I am listening to a guidance CD right now) and for more information about how this works read my article here or visit the Monroe Institute’s website for a more scientific explanation!

5. Ditch the Strict Schedule

Many productivity gurus suggest creating stringent schedules to get things done more efficiently.  Although there are certainly times for this, I have found much greater productivity in my “work life” when I loosen the reigns and allow myself to work on projects that are most appealing to me during the present moment.  If you start to feel anxious and stressed when working on a task, try switching to something else.  Do not force yourself to work on something because your pre-determined schedule says so; in fact, coming back to that project later when you have a more accepting attitude will yield better results.

6. Read GTD

Recently, I read Getting Things Done, or GTD, by David Allen after reading a wonderful review of the book on the blog I Will Change Your Life.  You can read the review here, but this book is one of the most comprehensive guides to increasing productivity ever assembled.  It is a true masterpiece, and I can almost guarantee you will get something extremely useful out of it!

7. Organize Yourself on Sunday Night

If you are a Monday thru Friday worker, than I highly recommend taking a few hours on Sunday night to prepare for your upcoming week.  Establish your weekly targets, create a task list for each day, or review your long-term objectives.  Beginning work on Monday morning will feel a whole lot different as you will be able to dig right into the most important duties!  Most people do not do this, and I can’t tell you how beneficial this one practice can be for adding efficiency and success to your work life.

8. Use Your Most Productive Hours for Your Most Important Tasks

Some of us are early risers, and others are night owls. If you need time to wake and get started in the day, do NOT attempt to force an early morning deadline into your schedule. Ask yourself these two questions: “what do I need to get done today in order to be most successful?” and “when am I most productive”?  Match the answers and focus more on what is important and less on how fast you are going.  Spend 20 percent of your day on the most important tasks and you will accomplish 80 percent of your results.

“Getting things done” more efficiently leads to greater success and fulfillment in our lives!  We must purposefully entrain ourselves to become more productive, and I hope the 8 tools described in this article are a big help.

By Todd | November 5, 2007

http://www.wethechange.com/8-unique-ways-to-increase-productivity/

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