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Productivity Systems

3:25 with Dan Gorgone

There are a number of techniques you can try to become more productive, enabling you to balance demands, measure progress, and stay motivated.

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    Productivity has been a concern for people for 0:00
    so long that it's become its own industry. 0:02
    Self-improvement and organization systems are big business, and you'll find many 0:04
    different systems being advertised to people who want to accomplish more. 0:10
    However, there is no one solution that works for everyone. 0:14
    Productivity is a very personal consideration. 0:18
    What works for one may not work for the other. 0:21
    While there are a number of techniques that you can try 0:25
    to become more productive, they're all essentially variations on the same ideas. 0:27
    Balancing the demands of your work, tasks and time, and 0:31
    being able to measure progress and success while reducing anxiety. 0:35
    Each system is different but they're worth considering if 0:40
    you're looking for a way to improve your own productivity. 0:43
    Getting Things Done is a time management strategy developed by 0:47
    David Allen who wrote a book with the same name. 0:50
    This strategy recommends creating lists of tasks and breaking 0:54
    down larger ones into smaller, easier to complete ones. 0:57
    Focus on the tasks that can be 1:01
    done quickly, and each day you'll accomplish more. 1:02
    And it'll be easier to chip away at larger projects, by taking smaller bites. 1:06
    Don't Break the Chain, is one name 1:11
    for the strategy developed by Comedian Jerry Seinfeld. 1:13
    This one is helpful for repeating beneficial tasks, 1:17
    that can sometimes be tough to keep going. 1:20
    For example, working out is something we'd all like 1:23
    to do every day, but designers and devs might consider 1:26
    tasks like checking analytic reports or a more creative 1:29
    task like sketching logo ideas, or writing a blog post. 1:33
    Now under the don't break the chain strategy, you focus on 1:37
    these tasks by making note of each time you complete them. 1:40
    Each day, you attempt to complete them again. 1:44
    And over time, you'll have yourself a streak of accomplishments. 1:47
    By completing them everyday, these tasks will become second nature over time. 1:52
    The Pomodoro Technique is a time focused strategy, used 1:58
    by people, who often get distracted in the workplace. 2:01
    You start, by dividing your time into specific blocks. 2:05
    Work for 25 minutes. 2:09
    And, then take a short break, usually 5 minutes. 2:10
    Each 30 minute session is called a pomodoro. 2:14
    And after you complete four of these, you 2:17
    take a longer break, usually 15 to 30 minutes. 2:19
    By structuring time rather than leaving things to chance, 2:22
    people using a Pomodoro Technique can be more productive by 2:26
    focusing when they're supposed to, which is easier when you 2:29
    know that you've got a short break always coming up. 2:33
    There are more systems to be found for sure with merchandise, 2:36
    websites, apps and more stuff that you can buy to support it. 2:40
    In most professional environments, the job of increasing productivity 2:43
    often falls to managers trying to gauge and forecast output. 2:47
    However, productivity should always be a personal 2:51
    concern no matter what your work situation is. 2:54
    And it should be considered alongside other ideas such as job satisfaction. 2:56
    It's difficult to sustain a job where you're incredibly productive, 3:02
    for example, if it comes at the expense of your happiness. 3:06
    At the same time, if you have a hard time getting work done in a group 3:10
    or an organization, staying there would pose a 3:14
    great challenge unless you could turn things around. 3:16
    So, with productivity techniques, like the ones 3:20
    we've mentioned here, you can make that happen. 3:22

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