My Happy Lists

After starting our new company, Wilson Media Consulting, I experienced what all home-based business owners experience: struggling with discipline and motivation.

Here are some tips on how to be more productive (no matter where you are).

1. 45/15 Split

My background in psychology and experience as a learner and worker has taught me that people have an optimal range of time of which they can learn, focus and be productive. The typical time range is 40-55 minutes. What this means for you: start paying attention to time when you're working. About how long into a task do you start to "fade" or does your creativity or productivity diminish? For me, it's about 45 minutes.

I like to start my work "on the hour" so I can easily do a 45/15 minute split. I start working at 7:00 am and at 7:45 am, I take a planned break. Knowing that I get to take a break helps me focus because I don't create excuses to not work.

When you let yourself expect a break, you'll be more productive in your 45 minutes than if you just take random breaks, get frustrated, and then stop working altogether for a couple hours.

2. The planned break

Before I start my 45/15 split, I have a plan for how I'm going to spend my 15 minutes break. That way, I don't waste time thinking about what I'm going to do when I should be working, or wasting my break time by trying to decide how I want to spend it. For example, I know that in 20 minutes I'm going to get a snack and play with our adorable cockapoo, Mazie. She likes to sleep in, so I won't wake her for a little while.

3. Timing my tasks

Measure, measure, measure! That's how you know if anything is successful. I measure the time I spend every day by using an automatic time tracker. Gone are the days of writing down what you're doing (especially if you spend 80% of your work day at the computer). I use a cool time tracker that lets me add new tasks and then set the timer on them when I start working on them. At the end of the day (or week, month, etc), with a click of a button I can see where all my time went. It also helps me bill clients because it's organized by client profiles. It's a breeze to use, and I've noticed that on the days I don't use it, my productivity plummets. There's something about seeing that little timer on my screen that shouts to me: GET TO WORK!

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For those of us who are tired of working, it can be difficult to find the motivation to get to work. Some days, it may feel impossible. Why not just stay in bed all day? Why not call in sick…again? (For those of you who love your job and jump out of bed with excitement each morning, select a different Happy List today!).

Other than the obvious reason to go to work (earn money to pay the bills), why should you go to work?

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*This article is probably most applicable to college and university students*

Many obstacles exist for individuals who are professional procrastinators or who are losing motivation to finish (or start) homework. Here are some ways to overcome some of those obstacles.

1. Turn off the television. It’s pretty hard to get excited about school when you’re favorite (or even not-so-favorite) television show is enticing you to sit and enjoy a relaxing time. Solution? Turn off the television and plan a time to watch the program online the next day. Multiple benefits include: more likely to get some work done, save some electricity, and experience minimal commercials when you watch it online. It’s a win/win situation!

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