1. Embrace a MEDIA DIET

We are addicted to media via Internet, Newsletter, TV, New Papers, etc. I have noticed that I can spend few hours every day reading about anything that relates to China, Internet, Marketing, etc. This is by far the number one PRODUCTIVITY KILLER. Embrace a change. Set up a goal to stop reading media for one FULL week. Just like a coffee addict that tries to stop drinking the next cup, you will feel bad about it at first, but you will see that after you complete your chores and progress your business or hobbies, you will embrace it long term.

2. Read emails only once a day

We can also get addicted to answer emails all day long. This is a HUGH WASTE OF TIME. There is a set up time for any routine task you are doing, and email is one of them. This will definitely reduce your email time in at least 50% and will actually improve you level of service.

3. ELIMINATE unimportant tasks and FOCUS ON THE BIG STONES

80% of our time will generate 20% of the results. If we can identify these tasks that engage 80% of our time and just eliminate or delay these task, our productivity will boost.
In this post on Meijob.com blog I wrote about this item a complete article. I recommend reading it.

4. BATCH any routine task you can

As mentioned in tip number 2, the set up time reduce dramatically if we work in batches. We should find the tasks that we keep doing again and again and just rearrange our time to do it only once a day or once a week.

5. Make LISTS

My motto is IMAGINE, PLAN & THEN DO. Always when I have an idea, I will write it down. Later I will prioritize and set a due date and last I will monitor my execution. Try to avoid having too big a list, and always remember to eliminate or delay tasks that looked like a great idea one day and do not look so great today…

6. Concentrate on ONE THING

The human mind works more efficiently when it is focused. Multitasking is actually a DISADVANTAGE TO PRODUCTIVITY. Focus on one thing and get it done. Take care not to bleed tasks into each other. At times, multitasking may seem like a more efficient route, but it is probably not. I will try to come every day to the office with clear task or two that I need to do today. After you will try it for a while your productivity feeling will be improved a lot.

7. Avoid PROCRASITNATION at All Costs

When trying to be more productive and trying to save time, procrastination should be avoided like nothing else. It is the ultimate productivity-killer. This is also called the student syndrome. Wait till the test to study. I would always like to have a time buffer that protects me from delaying major tasks and projects.

8. DELEGATE Responsibilities

It is not uncommon for people to take on more than they can handle. The overestimation of one’s abilities, though not necessarily a bad thing, can often result in stress and more work for an individual. To avoid this unnecessary stress, do not feel bad about delegating tasks. Realize that it will require patience and training time which are mandatory to make any delegation succeed. Otherwise you will just go back to your old micro management style and say to yourself “you see I knew I should not trust this guy, only myself…”

9. Find Time To RELAX

Nobody can continue to work 15 hours a day, 6 days a week for a long period. Find time to relax, learn new things, in order to recharge your batteries and increase you productivity and endurance.

10. AUTOMATION

All the time try to find ways to automate what you or your team is doing manually. This will always be a great way to save time…