Productivity Tools That Help You Get More Done and Make Progress

 Staying on task and being productive can definitely be a challenge. Procrastination is an inevitable fact of life to some degree - whether it’s due to perfectionism, boredom, or some other cause. I've dealt with perfectionism for years, so I had to find useful tools and systems to help me make progress. Thankfully, these tools can help to keep you on track, too. Some of these are traditional and have been around for centuries, while others use more modern technology. Using these resources can help you get more done and make progress on your most important tasks. Take a look at these suggestions.

Calendar

A simple calendar can do wonders. You can keep a traditional paper planner or choose a digital version, whichever fits your preferences and lifestyle. Digital can be great if you need to share your agenda with others, which can help with accountability. Whichever type you use, be consistent. Write down important tasks, as well as breaking down the steps you’ll need to complete them. Give each a date or time and stick to it. Be sure to check your calendar regularly to form a solid habit and stay on track. The system I teach in A Pilgrimage to Self Lifestyle Coaching Membership works with our special planning system. We begin by scheduling all the important events and tasks for the entire year, months, and weeks because they are important...this includes vacations and retreats! Then we spend time deciding on the TOP 3 things that must be completed for the month, week, and day...by concentrating on the Top 3 things that make the most difference to your life, you'll be closer to living intentionally.

Project Management App

If you have a number of detailed projects on your plate that involve a team, a project management app could be your best friend. These allow you to organize each part of a project and break it down. Then, you can communicate with your team directly from the app. These are suitable for personal projects as well and can keep you on task and moving forward because you’ll have a visual representation of your work at your fingertips. I've used Slack, Voxer, and Google in the past with great success.

A Place for Notes

You can be productive even when you’re not actively working on a task, as long as you’re being strategic about it. Putting off work by watching Netflix isn’t what I’m talking about but engaging in an activity such as hiking or even doing the dishes can allow you time to think and plan for your project. It’s good to keep some type of note-taking resource handy to jot down your ideas. This could be an app on your phone or even just a small notebook and pen. I love sticky notes and have them posted in my work area. I also use notebooks and apps on my devices. Finding an organizational system that works for you is essential to staying organized and making progress.

Elimination of Distractions

Distractions of all types can be a burden to productivity. There are some ways you can build in ways to keep distractions at bay. For example, look for an app that temporarily shuts down temptations such as Facebook or other websites you visit frequently. This way, you won’t be able to access them and can focus on the task at hand. I use the Pomodoro method based on using a kitchen timer or the timer on your phone can do the job. Set it for 25 minutes (sometimes I set mine for 45 minutes) and work continuously. Then take a 5-minute break. This is one of the major tools I use to stay on top of all my responsibilities...it's a great strategy for time management.

There are lots of productivity tools you can use to make your life better and keep you on track with your goals. Finding a system is essential to living your Intentional Life. Trial and error will show you which work for your lifestyle. The important thing is to find a system that works and work your system!

Until next time...

Lisa

P.S. Time management and learning productivity systems is only one life management skill featured in A Pilgrimage to Self Lifestyle Coaching Membership...to learn more about the monthly online membership go to our website at www.lisamcgrath.me.