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Keep an accomplishments list.
Group difficult tasks together.
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![]() I've really enjoyed reading books, researching articles, and interviewing experts for these productivity-themed blog posts. Since the end of the alphabet is near, I'd like to share a few bits of my own advice. Keep an accomplishments list.To-do lists keep track of what needs to get done. But to balance that, it's helpful to keep a list of major items that have been completed. For example, when my novel was about to launch, the days were filled with activity, yet at the end of the week I couldn't always remember what I was so busy doing. I started tracking my accomplishments each month and the habit stuck. Over time, these monthly lists can be a boost to morale--look at everything that is getting taken care of! Group difficult tasks together.![]() One thing I dread doing is calling or emailing people to ask for interviews. I have to psyche myself up to do this. If I have three requests to make, I could do one a day for three different days, or I can group them together and just "ruin" one morning. This is a very specific example, but I think you can see what I mean. If certain tasks make you grumpy, group them together and do them all at one time. Then you can be cheerfully efficient the rest of the week. Keep a kindness list.So many people have done kind things for me during my writing and publication journey that I decided to jot them down. It's a simple list with a name and a few words that remind me of the niceness in the world. An author takes the time to blurb my book. A teen reader emails me about how much he enjoyed Pandemic. A friend tells me about an upcoming book festival I can apply to. Is there a scientific link to productivity and tracking these kindnesses? I have no idea. But it creates happiness and that has to be a good thing! Do you have any favorite or unique approaches to productivity?
4/29/2015 01:29:30 am
Great advice! I definitely need to psyche myself up to do certain things, but once they're done I feel a LOT better.
I love the idea of a kindness list, something to keep us warm when times are difficult. 4/29/2015 02:17:39 am
I agree a to do list is a must! I'm a major procrastinator if I don't have that list to check off the things I've done and need to do, I "forget" to do it! 4/29/2015 06:18:56 am
It's probably a good idea to group less-than-desirable tasks together, just to get them over with quickly. 4/29/2015 07:00:34 am
I've noticed that when I list out what I've accomplished, I seem to be able to accomplish more the next time I set to work. 4/29/2015 07:06:13 am
I’ve to admit that I’m partly relieved that the A2Z challenge is over tomorrow. It’s been really challenging, and my blog was suddenly on my to-do-list. However, I would have missed many wonderful posts, just like yours. I read mainly cat blogs, but the A2Z challenge shows me different niches.
C. Lee
4/29/2015 07:30:19 am
A kindness list is a great idea. I think I know who has given me boosts along the way, but I think having their names and contact written would be much better.
Another very helpful post--and I still need to take the time to follow all the back links. Shall certainly be bookmarking your blog for the future.
Bobbi Miller
4/29/2015 12:23:02 pm
I've so enjoyed this series. I particularly liked this entry, and Reducing Grumpiness is now on my to-do list! Well done! 4/29/2015 01:11:18 pm
I like the idea of a kindness list. 4/29/2015 02:57:37 pm
I love the idea of setting aside a grumpiness time. It would definitely make me more productive to group all the things I dread at one time and not have them hanging over me all week. I may build that into my weekly schedule. Thanks for a clever idea! 5/2/2015 01:43:33 am
Great tips! I especially like the idea of grumpiness being a choice. By getting your tasks done in one chunk, you're choosing to be cheerful. Comments are closed.
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