How to Increase Your Productivity in 8 Easy Steps

Productivity is one of the biggest problems for me nowadays (and for others). I am the worst time manager ever. Last night I ended up writing no blog posts, but hell lots of tweeting. That isn’t waste of time, but just a sign that I can’t manage my time, that well.

I think lots of bloggers and twitter-ers are pretty bad to manage their time – while sitting in front of their computer. We might go tweeting, instead of blogging. As I did. Or they find other distractions, if they don’t want to write a blog post.

I don’t think it is smart to force yourself writing blog posts, but if you have a brilliant idea, but you just don’t want to write it. You should start writing it. I have collected some tools I use and methods/techniques I use, to be productive.

1. RoboForm Makes The Logins Go Smooth!

I can remember my passwords, but I like to use Roboform. It really helps the day go a much better. So RoboForm, makes my day go easier, so I shouldn’t type that many passwords and user-names.

It does not only remember passwords, but also identities, so you don’t have to fill out all the forms when creating a new user on a website.

So it keeps track of all your user-names and passwords and you can create different identities, so it is easy to sign up on new websites. I use Roboform at least 10 times a day. Which is at least.

They have build a tool into Roboform, called GoodSync, which can synchronize your passwords with other computers, that have your master password. That is a good thing for me:

1. I have two computers
2. I often reinstall my computer, around 12 times in a year

So that makes it good for me, because of the synchronizing possibility.

Currently I only have the free version, but I’m thinking of upgrading to the version that costs money, because I like the tool!

2. How to Deal With Tiredness

This a truly important step, that takes its time, but it is necessary. If you don’t get your sleep, you just can’t be productive. When I don’t get my sleep, I have a really hard time writing blog post/articles and to be creative and get the ideas to blog posts.

It really is another situation when you get your sleep, it is much easier to be productive and to be creative. If you get your sleep and still can’t find any motivation to write, I think you should look at the niche you are writing in. And see if this is your passion.

If it isn’t: you should find another niche to write in. Or hire some one to write. If you already have build a reputation for the blog, you probably can get some guest writers on your blog.

Anyhow, it is important to get your sleep, to be productive.

3. Take Notes So You Remember Your Blog Post Ideas

I hate when I don’t take notes, when I am in my bed, just before I get to sleep. I normally think about what to write about tomorrow. When I don’t take that note, I just can’t remember the idea next day. Which of course isn’t good.

So remember to take notes, on whatever comes to your mind. Whether it sounds like a stupid or good idea. I use my cell phone and/or a notepad to take the notes.

You can also download some applications to your iPod Touch/iPhone and probably some other devices, like a cell phone.

4. Having a Daily To-Do List

Another thing I do when I get to bed, I create a daily list of what to do the next day. Normally I get everything on the list done.

It is an important step to do, after you have done, one task, you can fast move on to the next step. That is called great organizing. Very important step to be productive.

5. Turn off Distractions

This here is important if you need to focus on something specific, and you just need to get it done in one hour or so.

Turn off:

• Skype
• Messenger
• Twitter applications
• Email clients
• Any tabs that aren’t needed in your browser
• (Maybe) Music player

The last point, music player, is a maybe. I get more motivated if I listen to music with it, I don’t know why, that is just me, if you aren’t like that, you should turn your music player off.

6. Use Google Reader for Reading Others Blog

I enjoy reading other blogs about blogging, Internet marketing and so on. I bet you do so to, with your niche, because that’s probably your passion.

I use Google Reader to collect every blog I read, that makes me more productive because I only have to be on one page, to read all the blog content I like. So I recommend Google Reader because it can safe you a lots of time if you of course are using it.

All from now. Hope you enjoyed the blog post. In case you like Google Reader, and my blog I think you should subscribe to my feed.

It would be easier if you could click a button,

7. How to Have Skype Turned On But Not Disturbing You

When you are on Skype, people who are important can contact you. It could be your next client, you don’t want those to not contacting you because you are not online? Do you?

I have a solution to that. In Skype there are certain commands. You can type in “/help” to see those. By typing that you can see all those commands, there is one which says “/alertsoff” – then Skype will not say “ding” every time you get a message. Then you can, every 10 minutes check Skype if anyone have messaged you.

Just remember to turn it on again, after you are finish working, otherwise you will have 10+ tabs next time you are checking. You can turn it on by typing “/alertson” – and then you will start hearing “ding” again.

8. Focus, Focus, Focus

You need to want to be productive, to be productive.

The simplest way to be productive, is just to be productive. Tell yourself “I want to be focused now” and then if you really want to, then you will be able to be productive. When you tell yourself to do that, you should of course also use the above steps to make it easier for yourself.

Keep focusing on what you want to do, then you will be able to be productive. No doubt.

What do you do to be productive, please let me know in the comments!