In a world with endless distractions, it\u2019s no wonder that we find it difficult to complete tasks. Focus is hard to come by these days.<\/p>\n
This is especially true when you\u2019re working from home. Household tasks that would otherwise be out of sight and out of mind are suddenly in your workspace.<\/p>\n
With that said, there are some proven methods to help you get things done. Time blocking and Time boxing are the two main techniques, though there are some others as well. Read on to find out what might work best for you.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re probably most familiar with time blocking. Schools and factories are designed with this technique in mind. We work on a specific task for a set amount of time, and then we move on to the next thing when that time is up. Perhaps that time is punctuated by a bell or an alert, just like in school.<\/p>\n
Enter Parkinson\u2019s Law \u2013 the idea that work expands to take up the amount of time allowed. Have you ever noticed that if given three weeks for a project, it takes three weeks to do?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no coincidence. You\u2019ve likely subconsciously worked at a pace that caused it to take that long. And succumbed to all sorts of procrastination, perfectionism, and other useless pursuits in the process.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s not all bad. Time blocking is an excellent way to get something started. Once you dedicate a bit of time to a project you\u2019re stuck on, you\u2019re going to identify sub-tasks that need completing. And those are useful for getting the most out of your time.<\/p>\n
Time Boxing flips time blocking on its head. It\u2019s the preferred method of productivity for Bill Gates and Elon Musk. Instead of allocating an amount of time to work on a task, you allocate the amount of time it will take you to get it done.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a mind shift where you decide when you will get something done. You then plan your day into boxes that are as small as 15-minute increments. And then you do what\u2019s required in that amount of time.<\/p>\n
If you find that you didn\u2019t complete your task, you add more time to complete it the next time you\u2019re time boxing.<\/p>\n
Another key element of time boxing is the concept of working without distraction. Because you\u2019re working against the clock to complete your task, you\u2019re less likely to respond to a distraction. Once your time is up, it\u2019s up. You can check your distractions later during the time box allocated to them.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve likely heard of the Pomodoro technique \u2013 the one with the cute little tomato-shaped kitchen timer.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a type of time boxing where you allow 25 minutes for a task, and then take a 5 minute break. Repeat as necessary.<\/p>\n
Here you allocate time to complete many low-value tasks at once, such as reading emails. It\u2019s meant to keep your mind focused on activities that require similar thought patterns as opposed to jumping between tasks. Many people find it difficult to focus this way, because there\u2019s not a ton of concentration required.<\/p>\n
Some swear by keeping a theme to each day, such as \u201cmarketing\u201d or \u201clead generation.\u201d It\u2019s another form of task batching, but with heavier tasks in mind. The idea is to keep everyone focused on the job at hand and to avoid having to switch gears.<\/p>\n
This is the Pareto Principle \u2013 the idea that 80% of output comes about from only 20% of input. In other words, we should place a priority on the 20% of factors that will produce the greatest results.<\/p>\n
But beware \u2013 this doesn\u2019t mean that we ignore the other 80% of tasks. It means that you should give the most attention to the things that will create the best return.<\/p>\n
This is the practice of eliminating distractions and creating an almost cave-like environment to work in. This way, you can really tune everything out and get to it. Research suggests 90-minute increments are best for deep work.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no right way to be productive. It\u2019s a personal subject that\u2019s different for everyone. However, eliminating distractions to get things done is universal. Try any combination of the techniques mentioned above to find what works best for you and your workplace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"