<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Kaspars Grinvalds/ShutterstockProductivity isn't universal - do what helps you works best.</div></div></div><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/s?q=productive&amp;sort=relevance&amp;author=&amp;contributed=1&amp;vertical=careers">Productivity</a> advice relies on a static vision of our working selves-it doesn't account for the human element.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Increasing your productivity requires working with your natural tendencies, rather than fighting against them.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Giving yourself time to do the things that make you happy is a valuable, and scientifically supported, productivity method.</li></ul> I've always loved to try and combat the messiness of human existence with neatly organized spreadsheets, and I always hoped that work-life balance could be found in a carefully crafted Google calendar.When I worked at a startup, productivity took a more prominent role in my life. Increasing my work efficiency became the ultimate goal lurking behind each new assignment.To keep up with the rising expectations, I tried to implement every <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trying-to-become-a-morning-person-2018-5">productivity</a> tip I came across, from the <a href="http://pomodorotechnique.com/">Pomodoro technique</a> of time management to getting up early to exercise before work. But when I put those into practice, they never seemed to work for me as well as I'd hoped. I couldn't always stick to them, and that felt like a personal shortcoming.That's because a lot of productivity advice treats us like we're static beings. It doesn't account for the stresses of daily life. But we are human. We're flawed, messy, and chaotic, and sometimes we just don't feel like working. That's normal - even if productivity gurus tell us it's a failing. The key is working with those tendencies, instead of against them.So if you hate most <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-stephen-coveys-time-management-matrix-2015-12">productivity</a> tips as much as I do, here's five that are actually worth trying:

How to be more productive if traditional productivity tips don't work for you

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The side hustle has become a popular supplement to full-time work, often in the form of starting a business or freelancing.</li><li>Successful side hustlers excel at their full-time job first to ensure that others don't question their extra work.</li><li>Keep your hustle and full-time career in the same circles, keep a strict schedule on and off the clock, and focus on the quality rather than the quantity of your work.</li><li>Also remember to practice good self-care techniques while working around the clock.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/prime?module=article&amp;area=summary">Click here for more BI Prime stories.</a></li></ul>Taking on a second job while already employed in a full-time position used to be called "<a href="https://ioadvisory.com/past-moonlighting-now-side-hustle/">moonlighting</a>." Today, it has morphed into the near ubiquitous side hustle, a practice that has exploded in the gig economy - with a new twist. Instead of doubling up by working for two employers (one after hours), the side hustle now often refers to launching your own small business or startup and/or taking on freelance gigs. A <a href="https://www.bankrate.com/pdfs/pr/20190605-side-hustles-survey.pdf">2019 report</a> from Bankrate.com showed that almost half of US workers now rely on a side hustle for extra cash, whether to pay their bills, boost their savings, or have discretionary funds at the ready.Business Insider tapped three part-time freelancers with high-paying side gigs to find out what this modern-day moonlighting looks like in practice - and how to make these two seemingly conflicting roles fit together seamlessly.<h1>Excel at your full-time job first and foremost</h1>Talya Miron-Shatz is a <a href="https://www.ono.ac.il/wp-content/uploads/talya-miron-shatz-cv-2017.pdf">professor</a> at the Ono Academic College and CEO of her startup <a href="https://www.buddynsoul.com">Buddy&amp;Soul</a>, a platform for personal development, and earns a comfortable six-figure salary. She's also a freelance consultant on patient and prescriber behavior. She does consulting work through her own company and consults for other companies as a freelancer - and brings in $10,000 or more per side project.She suggested that if you go above and beyond in your full-time position, it helps to create goodwill among colleagues about your freelance activities as well."Your boss might be wondering why she's paying you full time when you're otherwise engaged," she explained. "Don't get there. Be sure to give your organization all it deserves, and then some." To this end, Miron-Shatz said that she works hard to be the "most productive faculty member at the school of business administration." "I bring in grants," she said. "And since I study medical decision-making, which is a hot topic, especially now with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-virus-everything-we-know-deadly-2019-ncov-wuhan-spread-2020-1">COVID-19</a>, I'm constantly interviewed, which goes through the college PR and everybody sees. This way, nobody flinches when I am also CEO of Buddy&amp;Soul, or tells me it comes at the expense of my performance."<h1>Create overlap between your role and freelance work</h1>Miron-Shatz also suggested that you can simplify your life by creating synergy between your dual roles. "Promoting two careers is hard enough, but if you do it in parallel, it's easier," she said, pointing out that if you're a carpenter who writes poetry, you can't exactly pander your rhymes to people who come in for custom shelving. In her case, she avoids this disconnect by ensuring that everything she does - both as a professor and an independent contractor - revolves around medical decision-making. "My day job is at the faculty of business administration, where I study medical decision-making and teach consumer behavior. I have over 50 academic publications, which create unique knowledge and give me expertise and credibility, which my consulting and my startup benefit from," she shared.<h1>Practice strict time management outside your 9-to-5 - and be ready to hustle</h1>In addition to working a full-time job as a lead UX designer for a Fortune 500 company, Becky Beach also runs two businesses - an ecommerce store and the blog <a href="https://www.mombeach.com">Mom Beach LLC</a>, a work-at-home resource for moms that gets more than 50,000 pageviews per month - in her spare time. "The reason why I started side hustling was because I was wasting too much time watching TV after work and wanted to do something productive," said Beach, who has, since launching her business in the summer of 2017, made over $500,000 in sales through her online boutique and makes over $1,000 a month with her blog. As a result of her successful side hustles, she has paid off over $150,000 in debt. While acknowledging that she makes a full-time income from her side-hustle businesses alone, she finds her day job as a UX designer "very satisfying," which is why she hasn't left her corporate job to become a full-time freelancer.Doing double duty like this does take some planning, though. The UX designer and blogger starts the day by getting up at 4 a.m. to work on her freelance businesses. Then, she works on them again during her lunch break, and at 8 p.m. after her four-year-old son goes to sleep. Beach practices "time blocking" to accomplish all of this, which involves dividing her day into discrete blocks of time dedicated to a specific goal or task. The theory is that this approach helps you avoid wasting time figuring out what to do and when, given a long to-do list and conflicting priorities, since you've already indicated on your schedule exactly what you plan to do with each hour of your day.And it works for Beach. "I will use the Pomodoro time-blocking method to distribute my time into 25-minute blocks," she said. "For five minutes between my blocks, I will get up and stretch and walk around the house." The 25-minute time block favored by the <a href="https://www.the1thing.com/blog/time-management/the-pomodoro-method-of-time-blocking/">Pomodoro Technique</a> is thought to be "long enough to get meaningful work done, but short enough not to exhaust a person," The ONE Thing blog states - a good benchmark for freelancers who have limited hours to get their client work done.<h1>Focus on quality rather than quantity of clients</h1>In addition to time management, figuring out an effective approach to client management is another piece of the puzzle for those who are both full-time workers and freelancers. According to Peter Czepiga - who works in marketing full time as growth marketing senior analyst at <a href="https://www.bespokepost.com">Bespoke Post</a>, a men's subscription and ecommerce brand, and also freelances as a part-time media buyer - a key part of client management requires limiting how many freelance clients you agree to take on. Czepiga, who is currently freelancing for the culinary brand <a href="https://momofuku.com/our-company/team/">Momofuku</a>, helping them leverage paid social ads to drive online reservations, said his biggest piece of advice to avoid overdoing it is to work with only one freelance client at a time. With this in mind, he tries to keep his freelance rates competitive; depending on the job, Czepiga charges either a percentage of media spend or bills hourly at roughly $120 an hour, working between eight to 10 hours a week. This nets him roughly an extra $1,000 a month on top of his full-time salary, or around $12,000 more a year."Freelancing is a saturated and competitive way to make a living," Czepiga said. "Since you are selling your time, in order to produce high-quality work that meets your client's expectations, it is far more productive to build one deep client relationship rather than produce low quality work and leave multiple clients dissatisfied."Czepiga admitted that in the past, juggling several clients led to his own underperformance across the board, which resulted in actually losing multiple clients simultaneously. "I thought multiple clients would be more cost effective, but I was stretching myself way too thin!" Czepiga said. "I have been far happier and found far more long-term success since sticking with my one-client-at-a-time approach." He explained that the way he parsed his client list down to one was simply by being pickier about who he worked with. A good way to go about doing this is by raising your rates. "The odds are that you are undervaluing your services in the first place, and clients who truly value your contributions more will be more willing to compensate you at a competitive rate," Czepiga said. "Clients who are looking for a cheap fix rather than a long-term partnership will likely drop off." In either case, Czepiga pointed out that it's a win-win situation because you can then reinvest that freed-up time back into your one quality client.Czepiga also advised that it's important to make sure you understand the scope of work that your client expects from you so that you have a good idea of when you should start looking for new clients. In his case, he asks his clients to provide a rough timeline of how long they expect to need his freelance services. "Once I have that peace of mind, I can stop worrying about business development/onboarding potential new business and focus on performing the highest quality service possible for my client," Czepiga said.<h1>Practice self-care and don't overdo it</h1>Taking intentional steps toward creating better balance - between not only their two roles but between their personal and professional life - becomes critical for people who work full-time as well as freelance. Otherwise, they risk burning the candle at both ends."To succeed in a career - and even more so, in two careers - you need to have some mental reserves," Miron-Shatz said. But how can you make this happen in a world where there is always reason to stay by your desk? Miron-Shatz explained that it's about creating good habits and sticking with them. With this, she exercises daily through swimming, yoga, or walking."I never skip exercise more than twice a week. When I get to work out with my daughters, that's a bonus," she shared.Another way that Miron-Shatz preserves mental reserves is by carving out Friday night as date night with her husband. "I never work that evening, ever - which keeps me sane and gives me a mental relaxation horizon," she said.Another self-care rule includes not pulling all-nighters - a lesson she learned the hard way."I did this once for a huge project, which was presented in the UN Special Assembly on non-communicable diseases," she said. "Sleep equals health plus sanity."

How 3 people who freelance while working a full-time job bring in thousands a month on the side

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>I wrote a 93,000 word book in 6 weeks, working roughly 9-to-5 every day.</li><li>My trick was breaking my day into hour-long units during which I could only do one of two things: write or stare.</li><li>Between the hour-long units, I would go for a 15-minute walk. After three of them in the morning, I'd take a very long lunch. After two more in the afternoon, I quit for the day.</li><li>A number of studies back this hack up and say taking breaks can actually help you be more creative.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul>A few years ago, I took a leave of absence from work to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LLIJ22W/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&amp;btkr=1">write a book</a>. The best part about that period of my life is I was my own boss. There was a deadline, but how I spent my days working toward it was up to me. That was also the most stressful thing about writing a book.I woke up every morning knowing exactly how many words I'd written, and about how many more I had to go.Fortunately, I figured out a daily work schedule that helped me write quickly and keep my stress in check.(Some stress is good, if it's the kind that keeps you moving toward a goal.)Here's how I structured my morning:<ul><li>I'd get up at 7:30 or 8 AM. Not too early, not too late. I ate a leisurely breakfast.</li><li>I'd take a 10 or 15 minute walk to a nearby park. I'd listen to a podcast on the way.</li><li>At the park, I'd meditate for 20 minutes. </li><li>Then I'd walk back to my apartment, sit down at a desk and start a timer for one hour.</li></ul>During that hour - until the timer went off - I allowed myself to do one of two things: write or stare. That meant no looking at my phone, checking email, reading news, or anything else.If I had to go the bathroom, I allowed myself to pause the timer and go. Then when I sat back down at my desk, I'd start the timer again. Same thing for getting a cup of coffee or a handful of almonds.After the hour was up, I'd stand up and go on a 15 minute walk around a nearby block. Then I'd come back and do another hour of writing or staring. (If I ever felt writer's block, by the way, I had another trick: Scroll up a few pages and revise what I'd previously written. This almost always got me going again.)I did three hour units like this every morning. Then I would go to lunch. I'd walk somewhere nearby and eat lazily, reading and relaxing over my food. Then I would go on another walk to the park and walk home. Lunches usually lasted about 1.5 hours.Then I'd head back to my desk, and start two more hour units to finish the day - unless I hadn't reached 2,000 words written for the day. If I hadn't, I would then do one more hour unit. Even if I didn't reach 2,000 words after that, I would call it quits. I was usually done right around 5pm.At night I would totally relax. I was trying to write a sharp narrative, so I watched a lot of movies and TV shows with good plots. I quit drinking all alcohol as my deadline approached and found my thinking sharper and daily word counts higher. (I have since returned to drinking some!)It turns out this work-hard-in-chunks strategy wasn't unique to me. It's similar to the popular Pomodoro Technique, where you write or perform a task for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique">25 minutes and take a 5 minute break</a>.I thought the reason this hack worked so well for me was that, even in the midst of a tough working stretch, I always felt like a short break was near - and that a really long break wasn't far away at all. Later though, I read about a <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110906121011.htm">couple</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/28/well/move/work-walk-5-minutes-work.html">of studies</a> that show interrupting work with some exercises, like a quick walk, makes you more productive and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/study-walks-make-you-more-creative-2014-5">creative</a>. Georgia Tech organizational psychologist Howard Weiss calls these intense work periods "performance episodes," or a distinct period of time where you intensely focus on the task at hand. And the <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2017/01/why-your-mind-is-always-wandering.html">the default mode of the brain is actually to wander</a>, so it can be healthy to carve out times to let it (and also, to restrain it).My book-writing routine might not work for everyone!Paul Graham, founder of startup accelerator program Y Combinator, talks about how most <a href="http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html">bosses are on "manager schedules,"</a> with their days broken up constantly by back-to-back meetings. Then there are "maker schedules" for creators like writers or engineers, who often require full, uninterrupted half days to get anything done. Many Insider Inc. writers operate like this.

A simple productivity hack helped me write a 93,000-word book in 6 weeks

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/helgabj/2164397914">flickr user helgabj</a>One concentration advantage you get from being a goldfish: you don't have to check your email.</div></div>Americans have about an <a href="http://www.statisticbrain.com/attention-span-statistics/" target="_blank">eight-second attention span</a>.
That's <a href="http://www.marketplace.org/topics/business/goldfish-have-longer-attention-spans-americans-and-publishing-industry-knows-it" target="_blank">less than a goldfish</a>.
But we can improve our powers of concentration by, for example, finding clever ways to eliminate distractions, hacking our workflows, or working on our mindsets. 
To that end, here are a few takeaways from <a href="http://www.quora.com/What-exercises-can-I-do-to-increase-my-attention-span" target="_blank">recent</a> <a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus" target="_blank">Quora threads</a> that tackled attention. 
1. Invest in your sleep. Not sleeping enough makes people <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2012/03/06/lost-time-and-cyberloafing/?mod=WSJBlog" target="_blank">distracted</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417080350.htm?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=lack-of-sleep-is-linked-to-obesity-new-evidence-shows" target="_blank">fat</a>, and <a href="http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/05/sleep-deprived-people-are-more-likely-to-cheat/" target="_blank">unethical</a>, so be sure to get your rest. While everybody's needs are different, it's generally between six to nine hours. And invest in some nice sheets. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Yishan-Wong" target="_blank">Yishan Wong</a>
2. Exercise your body. Harvard Medical School <a href="http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/regular-exercise-releases-brain-chemicals-key-for-memory-concentration-and-mental-sharpness" target="_blank">has found</a> that exercise improves your memory and concentration. You don't have to be a Channing Tatum, but it's important that your body is an asset, not a liability. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Achintya-Prakash" class="user hover">Achintya Prakash</a>
3. Exile your distractions. Close email, Facebook, Twitter. Put your phone on airplane mode. Turn off anything that blinks, dings, buzzes, or vibrates. Don't even give yourself the chance to multitask - since <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-your-iphone-wrecks-your-sanity-productivity-and-focus-2014-3">it erodes your attention span</a>. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Bill-Hall" target="_blank">Bill Hall</a> 
4. Keep a routine. If you sleep, work, and relax at irregular intervals, you'll spend unnecessary energy trying to organize your time. Like French novelist Gustave Flaubert said, "Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work." -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Frederick-Javalera" target="_blank" class="user hover">Frederick Javalera</a> 
5. Use the Pomodoro technique. Taking its name from a Pomodoro timer, which runs for 25 minutes, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-be-more-productive-pomodoro-technique-2014-5" target="_blank">the Pomodoro technique</a> is a practice of focusing intently on something for 25 minutes and then taking a five-minute break to get coffee, go to the bathroom, whatever. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Selene-Chew" class="user hover">Selene Chew</a> 
6. Wake up at the same time every day. The regularity <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/53710/why-do-i-always-wake-5-minutes-my-alarm-goes" target="_blank">lets your hormones get into a rhythm</a>, giving you the most energy, clarity, and focus through the morning. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Michal-Ugor" class="user hover">Michal Ugor</a>
7. Take a stance on email. Is your job to be on top of things - to respond to everything as quickly as possible? Or does it require long hours of studying and concentration? If the latter, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dwight-eisenhower-nailed-a-major-insight-about-productivity-2014-4">email might remain urgent, but it's not important</a>. So only check it a few times a day. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Xi-Cheng" target="_blank">Xi Cheng</a>
8. Know what your life goals are. If you don't know what they are, read a good book on the subject (BI's favorite: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flow-The-Psychology-Optimal-Experience/dp/0061339202" target="_blank">"Flow" by </a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flow-The-Psychology-Optimal-Experience/dp/0061339202" target="_blank">Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi</a>). Because when you know what you want to do, it's easier to not do everything else. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Rolfe-Dlugy-Hegwer" target="_blank" class="user hover">Rolfe Dlugy-Hegwer</a> 
9. Do things you enjoy focusing on. It takes "<a href="http://www.jcu.edu.au/business/public/groups/everyone/documents/learning_object/jcuprd1_073074.pdf" target="_blank">emotional labor</a>" to do work that you don't engage with, so try to arrange your work day around that engagement, and <a href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/achieve-flow-by-hacking-your-tasks.html" target="_blank">hack it</a> when it's not there. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/George-Mortimer-1" target="_blank">George Mortimer</a> 
10. Write out your obituary. It helps you identify what you actually need to get done. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Dan-Webster-3" target="_blank">Dan Webster</a>
11. Take a break when you're making awesome progress on a task. You'll come back to it quicker and with more energy. Like Ernest Hemingway said, always "<a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3021905/work-smart/hemingways-secret-to-maintaining-productive-momentum" target="_blank">leave some water in the well</a>." -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Pratik-Mhatre" class="user hover">Pratik Mhatre</a>
12. Put noise-canceling headphones on. Not only do they reduce noise, they signal to your colleagues that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-introverts-can-work-in-open-office-2014-5">you're not to be bothered</a>. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Dave-Concannon" class="user hover">Dave Concannon</a>
13. Find a partner in crime. Teaming up with a coworker will keep you accountable - if she's coding while you're checking Facebook, you'll feel foolish. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/What-exercises-can-I-do-to-increase-my-attention-span/answer/Krzysztof-Kowalczyk" class="user">Krzysztof Kowalczyk</a>
14. Read physical books. It will train you in paying attention to an object for an extended length of time - something the digital world doesn't provide very well. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/What-exercises-can-I-do-to-increase-my-attention-span/answer/Murali-Veeraiyan" class="user hover">Murali Veeraiyan</a>
15. Listen to music. It helps you stay in your workflow, since the sound occupies the part of your brain on the lookout for "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com.au/i-listened-to-music-based-on-neuroscience-designed-to-make-you-focus-and-its-been-amazing-2014-4">danger, food, sex, or shiny things</a>." -<a href="http://www.quora.com/What-exercises-can-I-do-to-increase-my-attention-span" target="_blank" class="user hover">Amir Baer</a> 
16. Break large projects into smaller pieces. Then, instead of having vague goals,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/writers-tricks-for-boosting-creativity-2014-2"> set clear deadlines</a>. Execute against those to guide your focus. -<a href="http://www.quora.com/Self-Improvement/How-can-I-improve-my-focus/answer/Farsheed-Atef" target="_blank" class="user hover">Farsheed Atef</a>

16 Easy Ways To Improve Your Focus

<a class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53738e16eab8ea04165e1018-960/dustin-moskovitz-3.jpg" meeting="" no="" title_caption="Dustin Moskovitz, cofounder of Facebook and cofounder/CEO of Asana, has " title_source="Getty/Araya Diaz"></a>

	
		
			Getty/Araya Diaz
		
			Dustin Moskovitz, cofounder of Facebook and cofounder/CEO of Asana, has "No Meeting Wednesdays."
	
	

Startup CEOs not only have to manage a team of employees, they have to build a company from the ground up. So, of course, this requires a hands-on approach and a typically massive workload.


	To deal with all of these responsibilities, the best entrepreneurs figure out tricks that help them manage their time and maximize their efficiency.

	In a recent Quora thread, startup execs responded to the question: "<a href="http://www.quora.com/Productivity/As-a-startup-CEO-what-is-your-favorite-productivity-hack">As a startup CEO, what is your favorite productivity hack?</a>" We've highlighted some of the best apps, techniques, and habits below.
<h3>
	1. Have "No Meetings Wednesdays."</h3>

	<a href="http://www.quora.com/Dustin-Moskovitz" target="_blank">Dustin Moskovitz</a>, cofounder of Facebook and cofounder and CEO of <a href="https://asana.com/" target="_blank">Asana</a>, clears his schedule every Wednesday. It's "an invaluable tool for ensuring you have some contiguous space to do project work," he says.
<h3>
	2. Use "mind maps."</h3>

	British pop psychologist <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Map-Book-Thinking-Potential/dp/0452273226/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1400093926&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=tony+buzan">Tony Buzan</a> coined the term "mind map" in the '70s for a specific kind of organizational technique that is like a web of to-do lists. <a href="http://www.quora.com/Paul-A-Klipp">Paul Klipp</a>, president of <a href="http://www.lunarlogic.io/">Lunar Logic's Polish branch</a>, uses the website <a href="mindmeister.com">mindmeister.com</a> to build his. He spent about an hour making his first one and now spends 15 minutes every Monday morning updating it for the week. Here's an idea of what a portion of one could look like:


	
		
		
			Screenshot/mindmeister.com
	
	


<h3>
	3. Try the Pomodoro Technique.</h3>

	Pomodoro is Italian for "tomato," and it refers to the tomato-shaped cooking timer Francesco Cirillo used as a college student. <a href="http://pomodorotechnique.com/">His technique</a>, popularized in the late '80s, consists of breaking work down into 25-minute bursts of intense work followed by a five-minute break, in which you can relax by kicking back or giving in to a distraction like Twitter.

	"You might think that a person could do 16 of these cycles in a day," Klipp says. "I'm lucky to get more than two in a day without interruptions. But in those 50 minutes I get more done than I do in the other seven hours of my work day, at least in terms of advancing the most important aspects of my most important projects."
<h3>
	4. Arrange your tasks on a Kanban board.</h3>

	A Kanban board is a simple way to visualize your work progress. It consists of columns that represent the stages a project, with individual tasks listed on a note that is moved from one column to the next. Klipp calls his columns: Backlog, This week, Today, Current Pomodoro, Delegated, and Done.

	You can use a whiteboard and Post-It notes as some teams do, or you can organize your individual board on a site like <a href="https://kanbanflow.com/">kanbanflow.com</a>. Here's an example of what one looks like, followed by a closeup:


	
		
			
			
				kanbanflow.com
		
		
	




	
		
			
			
				kanbanflow.com
		
		
	


<h3>
	5. Outsource small, time-consuming projects.</h3>

	Startup CEOs usually have a lot on their plates and don't always have the manpower to help, but there are plenty of online resources that offer workers you can hire to take on small tasks. <a href="http://www.quora.com/Matt-DeCelles">Matt DeCelles</a>, cofounder and partner of <a href="http://williampainter.com/">William Painter</a>, recommends sites like <a href="https://www.elance.com">Elance</a> and <a href="http://www.fiverr.com/">Fiverr</a> for cheap freelance work for anything from programming to design. There's also <a href="https://www.fancyhands.com/">Fancy Hands</a>, which provides you with an assistant for $10 an hour.
<h3>
	6. Put the day's three most important tasks on a Post-It note.</h3>

	After you've arranged your work for the day, DeCelles recommends writing the three most important tasks on a Post-It note that you keep readily in sight as an extra bit of motivation. Know that you must get these three tasks done no matter what comes up.
<h3>
	7. Restrict access to distractions on your phone and computer.</h3>

	DeCelles likes to put his iPhone on Do Not Disturb mode when working intensely so that no call or text can tempt him to pick up his phone and begin a conversation. He also uses <a href="http://selfcontrolapp.com/">SelfControl</a> to temporarily block access to the Internet for a set period of time, so that he can't check Facebook even if he wanted to. (<a href="http://macfreedom.com/">Freedom</a> is a similar service that works for both Mac and Windows.)
<h3>
	8. Use RescueTime to see exactly how you spend your time.</h3>

	DeCelles also recommends you install <a href="https://www.rescuetime.com/">RescueTime</a> on your computer, which tracks how much time you spend on certain websites, apps, and work. You can check your progress daily, and each week you'll get a report breaking down this data in charts. You'll also get a productivity score that you can work on improving. Here's an example of a daily breakdown with added explanation:


	
		
		
			Screenshot/rescuetime.com
	
	


<h3>
	9. Show up to the office earlier than anyone else.</h3>

	Remco Van Mook, cofounder of <a href="http://www.virtu.com/">Virtu</a>, recommends getting to the office an hour and a half before everyone else. "You'll hate it, but you get done more in that hour and a half than the rest of the day - you'll be running from distraction to distraction afterwards," he says.
<h3>
	10. Use Pocket to set aside interesting things to read and watch later.</h3>

	<a href="http://www.quora.com/Gokul-Nath-Sridhar">Gokul Nath Sridhar</a>, founder and CEO of <a href="http://www.likewyss.com/">Likewyss</a>, is a big fan of the app <a href="https://getpocket.com/">Pocket</a>. It lets you indulge your desire to be distracted but continue working by letting you store articles and videos that catch your interest throughout your day. Pocket downloads them onto your wireless device so that you can spend time with the content even if you don't have access to the Internet, like during your subway commute home.
<h3>
	11. Use the Two-Minute Rule.</h3>

	In his popular book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280">Getting Things Done</a>," David Allen outlines this technique, which is simply this: When a task arises that you know you can complete in two minutes or less, do it immediately. "I love it," said <a href="http://www.quora.com/Christian-Sutardi">Christian Sutardi</a>, cofounder of <a href="lolabox.com">Lolabox</a>, "because it's not a groundbreaking rule. It's no fancy app or software. It doesn't even require learning or dedication, and you can start doing it today."

11 Productivity Hacks From Successful Entrepreneurs

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">RichLegg/Getty Images</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Adrian Shepherd is a British productivity consultant who's lived and worked in Japan for the past 24 years.</li><li>Over that time, he's picked up some productivity and stress-management habits that have made all the difference in his work and life.</li><li>For one thing, he's learned to buy into the Japanese concept of kaizen, which means "constant improvement" and can be applied to all aspects of life and work.</li></ul>For the past 24 years, I've been lucky enough to call Japan my home.What I've learned over that time is that things are different here. I've worked with executives from multi-national corporations such as Panasonic, Komatsu, and Takeda to name a few and found that their approach to business can be quite counter-intuitive for those who have never been to Japan.But it's not just how business is conducted; whether we're talking about their diet or their houses, nothing is like it is in the West.With regards to productivity, many people are very familiar with the techniques such as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/productivity-trick-the-pomodoro-technique-2015-6" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.businessinsider.com/productivity-trick-the-pomodoro-technique-2015-6&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1548941338763000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHPlSvXmiBEP_aiGVlci_yZAlBtrw">the Pomodoro Method</a> or Parkinson's Law and such books as David Allen's "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity-ebook/dp/B00KWG9M2E/ref=sr_1_2">Getting Things Done</a>," but Japan taught me to look at it at a deeper level.Here are five powerful productivity tips I learned from living and working with the Japanese people that helped me transform how I live my life and run my business.<h2>1. I understand kaizen</h2>Kaizen in Japanese means "constant improvement." It's the reason Japanese car manufacturers were able to dominate the industry for years. Kaizen is the compound effect in action. A 1% improvement might not seem like much, but over time, the change can be dramatic.This philosophy permeates all different walks of life here. Jiro Ono, the Master Sushi Chef, put it this way: "I do the same thing over and over, improving bit by bit. There is always a yearning to achieve more. I'll continue to climb, trying to reach the top, but no one knows where the top is."<h2>2. I've learned attention to detail</h2>It's hard not to notice just how much Japanese people care about details when you're traveling around Japan. The exquisite wrapping, the neatness, the organization, the food, it's on whole different level."Care" is the best word I can use to describe it. Japanese people care about the little things. All the extra work can be time-consuming, but the goodwill it brings more than pays for itself over time. "It's not that important" isn't the attitude Japanese people have in their business - everything matters.Read More: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-and-us-compared-biggest-cultural-work-difference-2018-4">I'm British, and I experienced the biggest culture shock when I started working in the US</a><h2>3. I see food as fuel</h2>Dinner in Japan isn't served, it's presented. Guests visiting Japanese houses are often surprised to find five or six dishes in front of them for dinner. Miso soup and rice are a given. Then two or three different vegetables are served on the side, plus fish and meat.Despite all the different dishes, you rarely leave the table feeling full. There is a Japanese kotowaza, or proverb, that says, "He who has his stomach full only 80% will not need a doctor." The point is not to eat to be full but to be satisfied.What's more is by <a href="https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/iub.1627">restricting our calorie intake, we can extend our lives</a>. Personally, the Japanese diet has had a profound effect on my health. I almost never have a cold anymore and have more energy than I did in my 20s.<h2>4. Baths transform my sleep</h2>Health should never be overlooked when discussing productivity. As my mentor Jim Rohn used to say, "Some people don't do well because they don't feel well." Like most people in the US, I used to just jump in the shower before work, but here in Japan, nearly everyone takes a bath before going to sleep.I resisted it for years, but finally relented and I'll never go back. I used to spend five minutes in the shower waking myself up. Now, it's a daily ritual. I wash myself first, then soak in the bath at a preprogrammed temperature for 15 minutes at a minimum. Stress melts away.Considering how hard our body works for us, relaxing in a nice warm bath is the perfect way to end the day. <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ninds.nih.gov/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1548941338764000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFxCtmmltEVpV5CzalLuRroWelAYA">According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke</a>, "Research shows that a chronic lack of sleep, or getting poor quality sleep, increases the risk of disorders including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity."Ever since I switched over to baths, I sleep like an angel and reap the benefits.Read More: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/differences-chinese-and-american-parenting-2018-3">A Chinese mother raising her son in the US reveals the biggest differences between American and Chinese parenting</a><h2>5. Tidying up isn't just for Marie Kondo</h2>In cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, it's not uncommon for people to have apartments of 20 square meters or smaller. Space is limited here, so people need to think carefully about what they buy. It's no wonder that Marie Kondo became a cultural phenomenon with her best-selling book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KK0PICK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&amp;btkr=1">The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</a>."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">Courtesy of Adrian ShepherdAdrian Shepherd.</div></div></div>But it's not just on the individual level - companies are notorious for keeping many unnecessary items. Training material that is outdated and files of clients from years ago are piled high in many offices.Applying Kondo's philosophy, I have clients either throw away or digitize material in order to declutter their workspace.Freeing up space is liberating, and once done can provide a big boost in productivity. <a href="https://adrianshepherd.com/">Adrian Shepherd</a> started his career as an ESL teacher in Japan, but today focuses on consulting with individuals and companies on productivity. His background in education helped him develop <a href="https://adrianshepherd.com/one-bite-time-management-system/">The One-Bite Time Management System (TMS)</a>, a revolutionary new system based entirely around simplicity: small bites that people can digest easily. Adrian Shepherd is based in Osaka, Japan. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-are-we-all-so-stupid-availability-bias-2018-12">Availability bias: discussing what occupation is most likely to cheat on their spouse</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

5 powerful productivity tips I learned in Japan transformed my life and my business

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>One of the most difficult skills to master at the beginning of your career is time management.You can waste a tremendous amount of time by trying to multitask or focusing too much on unimportant details.Montreal-based designer and author <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=5102923&amp;authType=OUT_OF_NETWORK&amp;authToken=rkNt&amp;locale=en_US&amp;srchid=1326014421399491837335&amp;srchindex=1&amp;srchtotal=1&amp;trk=vsrp_people_res_name&amp;trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A1326014421399491837335%2CVSRPtargetId%3A5102923%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary">Étienne Garbugli</a> has struggled with all of that. As he's gotten older, he's learned how to manage his time and workload more effectively and has analyzed what's worked for him and fellow entrepreneurs.In 2013, his viral presentation on the subject, "<a href="http://www.slideshare.net/egarbugli/26-time-management-hacks-i-wish-id-known-at-20">26 Time Management Hacks I Wish I'd Known at 20</a>," was named the "Most Liked Presentation" of the year by SlideShare. He followed that up earlier this year with "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/time-management-tips-for-young-professionals-2015-1?op=1">25 Time Management Hacks to Kickstart the New Year</a>."We've collected the best insights from both presentations with additional context. You'd be wise to establish these habits when you're young, because they're as relevant to a 22-year-old intern as they are to a 50-year-old executive.<h3>1. There is always time.</h3><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stop-using-the-phrase-i-didnt-have-time-2014-5#!KumLa">You never "run out of time."</a> If you didn't finish something by the time it was due, it's because you didn't consider it urgent or enjoyable enough to prioritize ahead of whatever else you were doing.<h3>2. Days always fill up faster than you'd expect.</h3>Build in some buffer time. Avoid over-scheduling by refraining from getting too precise with plans. "The more precise a task or objective is, the easier it is to miss," Garbugli writes.<h3>3. You get more done when you're in the zone.</h3>Some days you'll be off your game, and other times you'll be able to maintain your focus for 12 hours straight. Take advantage of those days.<h3>4. You should pursue activities that benefit both your professional and personal lives.</h3>"Align your professional and personal goals for maximum efficiency," author Chris Guillebeau says. For example, if you have no intention of moving to Japan or doing business there, you'd be better off spending a few months taking a course that enhances your job experience rather than taking Japanese language classes. <h3>5. There's a difference between pushing yourself and burning out.</h3>Hard work sometimes entails stretches of little sleep and relentless productivity. But even if you're incredibly driven, you need to make time for relaxation or else your exhaustion will catch up to you and make you less productive than you otherwise would be.<h3>6. Multitasking kills your focus.</h3>Studies have found <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/optimum-decision-making-study-2014-3#!KvzH1">the brain expends energy as it readjusts its focus</a> from one item to the next. If you're spending your day multitasking, you're exhausting your brain.<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"></div></div><h3>7. Distractions can be controlled.</h3>Consider trying the Pomodoro Technique of splitting up work into uninterrupted periods of 25 minutes with three- to five-minute breaks in between, or <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/free-online-resources-to-improve-productivity-2015-6?op=1">use software like SelfControl</a> that prevents you from using sites like Facebook or Twitter for stretches of time.<h3>8. Accomplishing something small is the best way to get working.</h3>A presentation you need to finish may be intimidating at 8 in the morning. Get your mind on the right path with an easy and quick task, like answering important work emails.<h3>9. Being a perfectionist can be a major crutch for day-to-day activities.</h3>Gen. George S. Patton once said, "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-great-ceos-avoid-at-all-costs-2014-5#!KvXqW">A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week</a>."<h3>10. More work hours don't always result in more productivity.</h3>Don't kid yourself into thinking that sitting at your desk will somehow extract work from you. Do whatever you can to finish your current task by the end of regular work hours instead of working into the night.<h3>11. Work that requires focused thinking and work that doesn't should be separated.</h3>If you're constantly stopping your flow of work to rethink something, you're slowing yourself down.<h3>12. Menial tasks should be blocked off.</h3>You'll disrupt your flow if you're sending emails or updating your schedule all day. Set aside a block of time for these tasks.<h3>13. It's best to reply to someone as soon as you read their correspondence if it will take you a couple minutes or less.</h3>Apply "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143126563/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0143126563&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=thebusiinsi-20&amp;linkId=Z4L7YOECCGMW4W4F" target="_blank">Getting Things Done</a>" author David Allen's "Two-Minute Rule" to your written correspondence: If an email can be answered in that time, then respond immediately rather than setting it aside.<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"></div></div><h3>14. Massive tasks are easier to manage when seen as increments.</h3>Alabama football coach <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nick-saban-strategy-for-success-2014-5#!KwYTo">Nick Saban follows a similar philosophy he calls the Process</a>. Instead of having his players focus on winning the championship, he trains them to focus only on what is directly in front of them - each block, pass, and field goal.<h3>15. If it takes more than 20 minutes to get started, you should change tasks.</h3>If you're not making progress for whatever reason, move onto something else to get back into a productive groove.<h3>16. No two tasks ever hold the same importance.</h3>Daily to-do lists are effective ways of scheduling your day, but it's important to priortize them. Start your day with the top-priority tasks, and leave the filing for when you're mentally drained. <h3>17. Always know the one thing you really need to get done during the day.</h3>To help prioritize, determine what task in front of you is most important, and focus your energy into getting that done as soon as possible.<h3>18. It's necessary to delegate some work to other people.</h3>To be truly efficient, get over the fear of handing work off to someone else. "If something can be done 80% as well by someone else, delegate!" says John C. Maxwell, author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Successful-People-Think-Thinking/dp/1599951681/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1399496898&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=john+c+maxwell&amp;tag=bisafetynet-20">How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life</a>."<h3>19. Focusing on the past will hinder progress.</h3>Don't distract yourself with either the successes or failures of the past. Focus instead on what's in front of you.<h3>20. Take notes.</h3>Don't assume you'll remember every good idea that comes into your head during the day. It doesn't matter if it's a notebook, whiteboard, or an app like <a href="https://evernote.com/">Evernote</a> - write stuff down.<h3>21. Keeping larger objectives in mind will help get you through your days.</h3>"Keep your eyes on the real prize," Garbugli writes. "Focus on the objectives, not the tasks. Keep them in sight." <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/morning-rituals-more-productive-exercise-goals-2015-5">5 morning rituals to keep you productive all day long</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="Y0ajl5dDprOmaIUWb_JNMZlgOF9HnyhX" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

21 time-management lessons everyone should learn in their 20s

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="GaudiLab/Shuttershock" title_caption="Sometimes your mobile device can be helpful at work instead of a distraction." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55886e0a69bedd2b151b9b5d-960/iphone-meeting.jpg"></a><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-264406283/stock-photo-business-people-having-conversation-while-working-in-modern-loft-co-working-space-young-asian.html?src=pd-photo-268447187-cKpJDAChRqkYmRR7EO0xrA-3">GaudiLab/Shuttershock</a>Sometimes your mobile device can be helpful at work instead of a distraction.</div></div></div>Distraction is ubiquitous - practically unavoidable. And mobile and web-based apps usually just add to the distraction while you're trying to work. However, some apps can do more good than harm to your productivity while in the office (or elsewhere).The following apps, found on <a href="http://www.producthunt.com/">ProductHunt</a>, can actually boost your productivity process, rather than just cause more technological distractions:Visually track your progress with <a href="http://www.forestapp.cc/">Forestapp</a>. Some people need a visual reminder to keep working - an end goal, almost (besides the actual end goal of turning in your work on-time).This app tracks your productivity process like a tree. The tree starts out as a seed in the ground, and keeps growing for 30 minutes while you continue to work. (And if you exit out, the tree dies.)Trust: the more trees in your "forest," the more triumphant you'll feel.Discover your personal productivity habits with <a href="https://pomotodo.com/">Pomotodo</a>.Everyone has a routine or method that works best for them in terms of productivity. However, most people probably haven't even noticed their own most effective productivity habits. When the only thing on your mind is the deadline, it's hard to focus on the idiosyncrasies that have affected your focus and work speed.But Pomotodo recognizes which times of day you're the most productive and allows you to review your progress over time.And as for the unusual name, the app combines the classic <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/productivity-trick-the-pomodoro-technique-2015-6">Pomodoro technique</a> (it provides a timer which schedules 25-minute work intervals with 5-minute breaks in-between) with a to-do list that allows you to manage your tasks for the day.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Cold Turkey" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/558963d3eab8ea404b4c3a63-960/screen-shot-2015-06-23-at-94759-am.png"></a><a href="http://getcoldturkey.com/">Cold Turkey</a></div></div></div>Force yourself to log out of Facebook with <a href="http://getcoldturkey.com/">Cold Turkey</a>.This app is a must-have for any social-media-sites-in-multiple-tabs offenders. If you just can't seem to close out of Instagram (or you keep re-opening it), then Cold Turkey will solve your straying mouse problem for you. As the name suggests, the app blocks you from distracting websites during specific times of day. So the next time you absent-mindedly start typing in "Facebook," the app will block the site for you (and serve as a gentle reminder to wait to update your profile picture until after 5 p.m.). Respond to emails as quickly as text messages with <a href="https://mailtime.com/">MailTime</a>.The majority of professionals communicate via mobile, and sending an email en route to the office on your iPhone is part of a daily routine for many.But sending an email via iPhone can sometimes be a bit time-consuming, and even finicky, as opposed to the online platform. MailTime is a new app that allows you to communicate via email like you would texting. The app is formatted to send and view emails chains in a clear, super-accessible format, like iMessage. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apps-help-reduce-anxiety-stress-stayfocusd-instant-heart-rate-gmail-2015-5">These are the 3 apps that will reduce your anxiety</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="Y5Mjk3dTr1NRErPBa69Wmm_dMBpp0E1V" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

4 productivity apps every professional needs to get work done faster

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="SumAll/Twitter" title_caption="It can be tempting to share a funny video rather than focus on your work." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53c83ceceab8ead65c0116dc-960/sumall-team3.jpg"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/SumAll/status/357239626626396160/photo/1">SumAll/Twitter</a>It can be tempting to share a funny video rather than focus on your work.</div></div>In today's digital world, it's never been easier to procrastinate.
And that's a problem. Breaking your focus has a physical effect on your brain. 
You draw from a limited reserve of energy every time you switch your attention from one task to the next, according to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/optimum-decision-making-study-2014-3">a recent report</a> from Tobias Teichert of the University of Pittsburgh and Vincent P. Ferrera and Jack Grinband of Columbia University. The researchers say that these little bursts of energy required to refocus your train of thought accumulate throughout the day and can result in making poorer decisions and having less output.
For ideas to break the habit, we turned to the Quora thread, "<a href="http://www.quora.com/Procrastination/How-do-I-get-over-my-bad-habit-of-procrastinating?share=1">How do I get over my bad habit of procrastinating?</a>" Below, we've highlighted the best answers and added a few additional sources, as well.
Here's how you can stop procrastinating and start getting things done - right now:
<h3>1. Set your priorities.</h3>
A big cause of procrastination is having loosely defined, "fuzzy goals," says productivity writer <a href="http://qr.ae/4GLlw">Jim Stone</a>. If all of your tasks for the day are given the same weight, then you're more likely to bounce from one to the next, getting little or nothing done.
Author and speaker Tim Ferriss tries to determine <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tim-ferriss-productivity-hack-2014-6">one task each day that absolutely must be completed</a>, and then follows it with those that are less important. "If I have 10 important things to do in a day, it's 100% certain nothing important will get done that day. On the other hand, I can usually handle one must-do item and block out my lesser behaviors for two to three hours a day," <a href="http://fourhourworkweek.com/2013/11/03/productivity-hacks/">he writes on his blog</a>.
<h3>2. Follow "The Clear Mind Procedure."</h3>
If you're feeling overwhelmed by a jumble of ideas in your head, <a href="http://qr.ae/4GLlw">Stone</a> says, you're more likely to turn your attention to something that doesn't stress you out. A way around this is to pour out all of those thoughts onto a piece of paper or Word document, sorting them into "Do Now," "Do Later," and "Don't Do." Don't hold back; it's meant to be cathartic.
<h3>3. Set aside a time when you will have no interruptions.</h3>
Even if you're focusing on your work, a coworker may walk over to your desk or a client may call you. While these kinds of distractions are sometimes inevitable, you should schedule blocks of time where you can work on a certain task without any other obligations, <a href="http://qr.ae/4GLlw">Stone</a> says.
If you can't find some alone time with a laptop in another room, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-be-more-productive-pomodoro-technique-2014-5">try the Pomodoro technique</a>. Work for 25 minutes straight - without opening another computer tab, without checking your phone, without even saying hello to a friend passing by. Then take a five-minute break to unwind a bit, and begin another Pomodoro interval if necessary.
<h3>4. Calm down.</h3>
If your responsibilities are giving you anxiety, then you're more likely to find ways to avoid them, <a href="http://qr.ae/4GLlw">Stone</a> says. Take a breath and determine the root of your fear. Instead of looking at everything on your plate, relax and consider what is directly in front of you.
<h3>5. Keep yourself challenged.</h3>
When you're bored, you're more likely to dismiss your responsibilities, says <a href="http://qr.ae/4GLlw">Stone</a>. Let your boss know if your responsibilities have become too easy so that you can continue to grow as an employee.
<h3>6. Get enough sleep.</h3>
You're more likely to find mindless ways to waste time if you're so tired you can't focus, <a href="http://qr.ae/4GLlw">Stone</a> writes.
Arianna Huffington says that it's easy for workaholics to forget that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/arianna-huffington-tips-for-better-sleep-2014-4">exhaustion actually causes them to get less done</a>, and that just because you're putting in long hours doesn't mean that you're working to your full potential. "Too many of us are fueled by the fear that getting the proper amount of sleep means we must not be passionate enough about our work and our life. By sleeping more we, in fact, become more competent and in control of our lives," she writes in her book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thrive-Redefining-Success-Creating-Well-Being/dp/0804140847">Thrive</a>."
<h3>7. Force a start.</h3>
"The most important thing you can do is start," writes entrepreneur Oliver <a href="http://qr.ae/4GfJZ">Emberton</a>. If you have a tendency to put off difficult tasks, then begin your day with something easy, just to get things rolling.
<h3>8. Hide your distractions.</h3>
Do what you can to limit your impulses, <a href="http://qr.ae/4GfJZ">Emberton</a> says. If, for example, you're inclined to chat with coworkers over instant messaging, then shut off your service for awhile as you try to get something done.
If you a certain task doesn't require the Internet, then you can even block access to it for a specific amount of time with a service like <a href="http://macfreedom.com/">Freedom</a>.
<h3>9. Reward yourself.</h3>
"Procrastinators have a problem with delaying gratification," writes web designer <a href="http://qr.ae/4hXMO">Mohamed Riyaz</a>. Find ways to incentivize yourself through the day, whether it's filling out a workout sheet every time you go to the gym or grabbing a coffee down the street from your office only after you've finished your most important task of the day.
<h3>10. Break your schedule into small increments.</h3>
Procrastinators have a problem with large goals, writes Susan K. Perry on <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/creating-in-flow/201108/six-tips-finishing-what-you-start">Psychology Today</a>. Break down your tasks into increments that are easy to accomplish but still give you a sense of accomplishment when you finish them.
<h3>11. Get a buddy.</h3>
Having someone work with you can help get you out of your head, writes Celestine Chua on <a href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/11-practical-ways-to-stop-procrastination.html">Lifehack</a>. Sharing goals with someone can be especially helpful with goals related to physical activities, like the jogging schedule you keep telling yourself you'll start.
Vivian Giang contributed to this post.

11 Ways You Can Finally Stop Procrastinating

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Getty/Adam Berry" title_caption="It can be easy to waste time even when you're working hard." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/536ba7f569bedd0c7433ed17-960/young-guy-laptop.jpg"></a>Getty/Adam BerryIt can be easy to waste time even when you're working hard.</div></div>When you're just starting your career, you need all the help you can get managing your time. Even when you're working hard, you could be wasting a tremendous amount of time by trying to multitask or focusing too much on minute details.
Montreal-based designer <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=5102923&amp;authType=OUT_OF_NETWORK&amp;authToken=rkNt&amp;locale=en_US&amp;srchid=1326014421399491837335&amp;srchindex=1&amp;srchtotal=1&amp;trk=vsrp_people_res_name&amp;trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A1326014421399491837335%2CVSRPtargetId%3A5102923%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary">Étienne Garbugli</a> has struggled with all of that. But as he got older, he learned how to manage his time and workload more effectively. Today, he's a consultant and entrepreneur, and recently published his first book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lean-B2B-Build-Products-Businesses/dp/1495296601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1399491863&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=lean+b2b">Lean B2B: Build Products Businesses Want</a>."
Last year, he collected some of his favorite lessons in the <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">SlideShare</a> presentation "<a href="http://www.slideshare.net/egarbugli/26-time-management-hacks-i-wish-id-known-at-20">26 Time Management Hacks I Wish I'd Known At 20</a>." In December, SlideShare named it the "Most Liked" presentation of 2013.
Below, we've explained some of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=5102923&amp;authType=OUT_OF_NETWORK&amp;authToken=rkNt&amp;locale=en_US&amp;srchid=1326014421399491837335&amp;srchindex=1&amp;srchtotal=1&amp;trk=vsrp_people_res_name&amp;trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A1326014421399491837335%2CVSRPtargetId%3A5102923%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary">Garbugli</a>'s best time management tips everyone should learn in their 20s:
<h3>1. There's always time. Time is priorities.</h3>
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stop-using-the-phrase-i-didnt-have-time-2014-5#!KumLa">You never actually "run out of time."</a> If you didn't finish something by the time it was due, it's because you didn't consider it urgent or enjoyable enough to prioritize ahead of whatever else you were doing.
<h3>2. Days always fill up faster than you'd expect.</h3>
Build in some buffer time. As the founder of Ruby on Rails and Basecamp <a href="http://david.heinemeierhansson.com/">David Heinemeier Hansson</a> said, "Only plan on four to five hours of real work per day."
<h3>3. Work more when you're in the zone. Relax when you're not.</h3>
Some days you'll be off your game, and other times you'll be able to maintain your focus for 12 hours straight. Take advantage of those days.
<h3>4. Stop multitasking. It kills your focus.</h3>
There have been academic studies that found that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/optimum-decision-making-study-2014-3#!KvzH1">the brain expends energy as it readjusts its focus</a> from one item to the next. If you're spending your day multitasking, you're actually exhausting your brain.
<h3>5. We're always more focused and productive with limited time.</h3>
Work always seems to find a way of filling the space allotted for it, so set shorter time limits for each task.
<h3>6. Work is the best way to get working. Start with small tasks to get the ball rolling.</h3>
The business plan you need to finish may be intimidating at 8 in the morning. Get your mind on the right path with easy tasks, like answering some important work emails.
<h3>7. Work iteratively. Expectations to do things perfectly are stifling.</h3>
Gen. George S. Patton once said: "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-great-ceos-avoid-at-all-costs-2014-5#!KvXqW">A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week</a>."
<h3>8. More work hours doesn't mean more productivity. Use constraints as opportunities.</h3>
Don't kid yourself into thinking that sitting at your desk will somehow extract work from you. Do whatever you can to finish your current task by the end of regular work hours instead of working well into the night.
<h3>9. Separate brainless and strategic tasks to become more productive.</h3>
Ideally, you can brainstorm your ideas and then execute them. If you're constantly stopping your flow of work to rethink something, you're slowing yourself down.
<h3>10. Organize important meetings early in the day. Time leading up to an event is often wasted.</h3>
If you have an important meeting scheduled for 4 p.m., it's easy for anxiety to set in and keep that meeting at the front of your mind. Try to get them over with early so you can work without worrying about them.
<h3>11. Schedule meetings and communication via email or phone back-to-back to create blocks of uninterrupted work.</h3>
You'll disrupt your flow if you're reaching out to people throughout the day.
<h3>12. Work around procrastination. Procrastinate between intense sprints of work.</h3>
Try Francesco Cirillo's "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Pomodoro-Technique-Francesco-Cirillo/dp/3981567900/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1399496275&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+pomodoro+technique">Pomodoro Technique</a>." Pomodoro is Italian for "tomato," and it refers to the tomato-shaped cooking timer Cirillo used to break his work into 25-minute increments with five-minute breaks in between. You can use the same idea with your own increments, as long as they inspire bursts of hard work.
<h3>13. Break down a massive task into manageable blocks.</h3>
Alabama football coach <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nick-saban-strategy-for-success-2014-5#!KwYTo">Nick Saban follows a similar philosophy he calls "The Process."</a> Instead of having his players focus on winning the championship, he trains them to focus only on what is directly in front of them - each block, pass, and field goal.
<h3>14. No two tasks ever hold the same importance. Always prioritize. Be really careful with to-do lists.</h3>
Daily to-do lists are effective ways of scheduling your day. Just do what you can to keep bullet points from making "clean desk" on par with "file taxes."
<h3>15. Always know the one thing you really need to get done during the day.</h3>
To help prioritize, determine what task in front of you is most important, and focus your energy into getting that done as soon as possible.
<h3>16. Delegate, and learn to make use of other people.</h3>
To be truly efficient, get over the fear of handing work off to someone else. "If something can be done 80% as well by someone else, delegate!" says John C. Maxwell, author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Successful-People-Think-Thinking/dp/1599951681/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1399496898&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=john+c+maxwell">How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life</a>."
<h3>17. Turn the page on yesterday. Only ever think about today and tomorrow.</h3>
Don't distract yourself with either the successes or failures of the past. Focus instead on what's in front of you.
<h3>18. Set deadlines for everything. Don't let tasks go on indefinitely.</h3>
Spending too much time on a project or keeping it on the backburner for too long will lead to stagnation. Get things done and move on.
<h3>19. Always take notes.</h3>
Don't assume you'll remember every good idea that comes into your head during the day. It doesn't matter if it's a notebook, whiteboard, or an app like <a href="https://evernote.com">Evernote</a> - just write stuff down.
<h3>20. Write down any unrelated thoughts that pop up when you're in the zone, so that they don't linger as distractions.</h3>
You'll get them out of the way without losing them.

20 Time Management Hacks Everyone Should Learn In Their 20s

<div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image"></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/samchurchill/7584078554/">Flickr/sam_churchill</a></div>Question: How do you stay focused when working on the go — in airports, co-working spaces, Starbucks?
1. Time Your Work Sessions
"Set a timer for thirty minutes and commit to not doing anything else during that time. No phone, no email, no Facebook. Setting a timer frees your mind to focus on the single task at hand without distractions."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/andy-drish" target="_blank">Andy Drish</a> | Founder, <a href="http://www.TheReferralSquirrel.com" target="_blank">Referral Squirrel</a> 
2. Try the Pomodoro Technique
"The Pomodoro technique is a very effective work-pause-work method invented by Francesco Cirillo in the late '80s. Each work sprint of 25 minutes is followed by a 5-minute break. First, choose a relatively simple task to accomplish, focus on the task for 25 minutes and then take 5-minute break to grab another cup of coffee. Then, start again. Works like a charm, especially if you're on the move!"
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/juha-liikala" target="_blank">Juha Liikala</a> | Co-Founder &amp; Director of Marketing, <a href="http://www.juhaliikala.fi" target="_blank">WebVehicle Oy</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/juhaliikala" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @juhaliikala</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/juhaliikala" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false"></a>3. Take Breaks to Network
"I live by a structured schedule, but it's hard to concentrate when there's a lot of opportunity around when I'm working. Scheduling work blocks and breaks is a great way to "reward" myself with time to network, get distracted and enjoy some freedom while still accomplishing my tasks."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/kelly-azevedo" target="_blank">Kelly Azevedo</a> | Founder, <a href="http://www.shesgotsystems.com" target="_blank">She's Got Systems</a>
<a href="http://www.shesgotsystems.com" target="_blank"></a>4. Reliable WiFi with MiFi
"The danger for me when working on-the-go is the lack of reliable Internet connection. When the connection is spotty, I may get distracted with my phone, a newspaper article and more. Having a MiFi device has been an amazing solution; you're guaranteed to get a fast and fail-free connection so you can work anywhere, anytime."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/doreen-bloch" target="_blank">Doreen Bloch</a> | CEO / Founder, <a href="http://www.Poshly.com" target="_blank">Poshly Inc.</a>
<a href="http://www.Poshly.com" target="_blank"></a>5. Prep Your Offline Workload
"We tend to have a lot of reliance on Internet access, but sometimes when WiFi is spotty or just unavailable, make sure you have plenty of work you can do offline. You can still upload it online later, if needed. Just thinking about Internet problems can be distracting, so by eliminating the need for Internet access, you can focus more energy on getting your work done."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/danny-wong" target="_blank">Danny Wong</a> | Co-Founder, <a href="http://www.blanklabel.com" target="_blank">Blank Label Group, Inc.</a>
<a href="http://www.blanklabel.com" target="_blank"></a>6. Set Three Clear Goals
"When I work away from my desk, I usually list out three things I have to get done. I can network or do anything else I want as soon as I finish that work. I make a point of not doing anything else until I finish that work. I've never had a problem telling someone that I simply must get something emailed off before I chat -- fellow entrepreneurs in particular often understand!"
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/thursday-bram" target="_blank">Thursday Bram</a> | Consultant, <a href="http://www.hypermodernconsulting.com" target="_blank">Hyper Modern Consulting</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/ThursdayB" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @ThursdayB</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/ThursdayB" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false"></a>7. Artificial Deadlines Really Work!
"I'm a big fan of giving myself artificial deadlines for whatever I happen to be working on, and doing so can really help you stay focused wherever you happen to be. Make sure the deadlines are tough to meet, though, otherwise you'll be easily distracted by whatever is going on around you. If you've got twenty minutes to finish up that presentation, your eyes will stay on the prize."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/colin-wright" target="_blank">Colin Wright</a> | CEO, <a href="http://asymmetrical.co" target="_blank">Asymmetrical, LLC</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/colinismyname" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @colinismyname</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/colinismyname" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false"></a>8. Remember The Milk
"When traveling, you generally only have a few minutes here and there to really accomplish anything. The way I get around that is to have my to-do list, which is housed at RememberTheMilk.com, stare at me in the face with Priority 1 projects. I then shut the email off so no new distractions come my way. That combination allows me to get things done and then enjoy the world around me."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/greg-rollett" target="_blank">Greg Rollett</a> | CEO, <a href="http://productprosystems.com" target="_blank">The ProductPros</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/gregrollett" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @gregrollett</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/gregrollett" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false"></a>9. Wunderlist Stops the Wandering
"The best tool I have used to help me stay focused on the go is Wunderlist. I can sync my laptop, iPad and iPhone up at all times. If I'm using my phone, I can see the same list of priorities for each client that needs to get done as when I'm on my computer. I think that when you can't visualize everything that needs to get done, you become easily distracted."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/steven-le-vine" target="_blank">Steven Le Vine</a> | CEO/President, <a href="http://www.theprgrapevine.com" target="_blank">grapevine pr</a>
<a href="http://www.theprgrapevine.com" target="_blank"></a>10. People Don't Bother Busy People!
"Staying focused outside of the office is all about the environment, so I put on headphones and listen to some light music. Not only does it block out ambient noise, but people are less likely to distract you if they think you can't hear them anyway."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/john-hall" target="_blank">John Hall</a> | CEO, <a href="http://www.digitaltalentagents.com/" target="_blank">Digital Talent Agents</a>
<a href="http://www.digitaltalentagents.com/" target="_blank"></a>11. Bring Those Headphones
"When working outside of an office or your house, it can be easy to get distracted by the immense amount of noise at coffee shops or in the airport. Investing in a nice pair of headphones is a great way to stay focused on the task at hand and tune out the things going on around you."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/heather-huhman" target="_blank">Heather Huhman</a> | Founder &amp; President, <a href="http://www.comerecommended.com" target="_blank">Come Recommended</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/heatherhuhman" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @heatherhuhman</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/heatherhuhman" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false"></a>12. Divide Tasks by Location
"When I'm traveling, I divide tasks by location: sitting in the airport, riding in the car, waiting in line, during ascent and descent, and cruising altitude. This requires a bit more planning, but I find that it makes keeping up with email, phone calls and projects relatively easy. The ease and efficiency of never having to wonder what to do now helps me to invest the time wisely."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/elizabeth-saunders" target="_blank">Elizabeth Saunders</a> | Founder &amp; CEO, <a href="http://www.ScheduleMakeover.com" target="_blank">Real Life E®</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/RealLifeE" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @RealLifeE</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/RealLifeE" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false"></a>13. Which Tasks Are Location Independent?
"If I have to do work in an airport, lobby or Starbucks, I do my best to schedule what I will be working on in advance. Processing data and doing routine tasks is far easier than being creative in these environments. Set yourself up with tasks that you can accomplish given the time, resources and environment."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/lucas-sommer" target="_blank">Lucas Sommer</a> | Founder CEO, <a href="http://www.audimated.com" target="_blank">Audimated</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/audimated" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @audimated</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/audimated" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false"></a>14. Do a Little Dance!
"Okay, not really dancing; listening to music is kind of a must for me when I'm working in public, while traveling, or otherwise surrounded by people. Let We Are Hunted or The Hype Machine's Popular list drown out the world, especially in the presence of abundant distractions."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/derek-shanahan" target="_blank">Derek Shanahan</a> | Growth Marketing, <a href="http://playerize.com" target="_blank">Playerize</a>
<a href="http://playerize.com" target="_blank"></a>15. Keep Co-Working to Truly Work
"Working on the go regularly will help train you to focus while outside your own office. A few years ago, I never would have been able to get four emails done as I walk from gate to gate at the airport, but it's something you can really get good at."
- <a href="http://theyec.org/author/caitlin-mccabe" target="_blank">Caitlin McCabe</a> | Founder &amp; CEO, <a href="http://www.realbulletsbranding.com/" target="_blank">Real Bullets Branding</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/caitlinmc" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @caitlinmc</a>
Read more posts on <a href="http://theyec.org/">Young Entrepreneur Council »</a>

How To Stay Focused On Work When You're Not In The Office

Our era is defined by having immediate access to information and people. But this connectivity can come at a price.
"Everybody is going faster and processing exponentially more data points than we thought was ever possible," says&#xa0;<a href="http://www.drhallowell.com/">Dr. Edward M. Hallowell</a>, an ADD and ADHD expert and the author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distraction-Work-Focus-Productive-ebook/dp/B00O92Q6E4/ref=sr_1_1">Driven to Distraction at Work</a>." "That's had a tremendous impact on people's focus."
Below, Hallowell shares the six most common workplace distractions and how to overcome them.
<h3>Screen Sucking</h3>
"Screen sucking" is what Hallowell calls the habit of becoming enraptured with something unproductive on a computer, smartphone, or tablet's screen at the first feeling of boredom or frustration. The phrase "began as a joke, and it's anything but a joke now," Hallowell says. He considers it a modern phenomenon like global warming, except that "unlike global warming, it's immediately solvable."
The key is moderation, not abstinence.
He recalls being hired to consult for an investment firm where the manager believed that his employees were so transfixed by the second-to-second fluctuation of stocks on their Bloomberg terminals that they weren't spending enough time actually researching which stocks to buy. Of course, the terminal was integral to the employees' work, but they needed to be coached to arrange their days better.
Hallowell says that the solution to screen sucking is splitting your day into blocks of focused work followed by smaller blocks dedicated to more distracting elements of your job, whether it's checking stock prices, scanning Twitter, or answering important emails. This strategy is similar to&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-be-more-productive-pomodoro-technique-2014-5">the Pomodoro Technique</a>.
<h3>Multitasking</h3>
"Neurologically speaking, multitasking is impossible. You cannot pay close attention to two cognitively demanding tasks simultaneously," Hallowell says.
That means that if you're on the phone with one client and writing an email to another, your brain is not handling both tasks at the same time; instead, it's rapidly switching its focus from the phone call to the email. Multitasking is exhausting for your brain, which has a limited amount of energy just like any other part of your body, and both tasks will suffer because of it.
One of Hallowell's favorite examples is how most people naturally turn down the radio when they're lost while driving. It's because the brain knows it can't focus on finding its way with a constant simultaneous input.
He says, however, that of course there will be times when it's necessary to rapidly fluctuate your brain's attention, like when you're taking notes at a meeting. "I'm not saying never do it. I'm just saying be wise to the fact that you are giving something up when you do it," Hallowell explains. Weigh the opportunity cost. If you know that sacrificing some attention to take notes in that meeting, for example, is more important than catching every word spoken, then go for it.

<h3>Idea Hopping</h3>
Hallowell believes that because so much information is at our fingertips during the workday, there's an increasing amount of superficial ideas and projects that float around but never become fully realized.
It's now common for workers to start their days with a long to-do list that inevitably brings them disappointment before they go home due to the chunk of items left unchecked.
Instead of hopping from idea to idea and finishing none, Hallowell says, write down three tasks, prioritize them, and then move forward.
<h3>Worrying</h3>
With the speed of the media today, it's easier than ever to become anxious over negative news, Hallowell says. "Couple that with the fact that as much as we've become connected electronically, we've disconnected interpersonally," and he says you've got "a petri dish for worry," an emotion that has tremendous power over our attention.
Hallowell says that there are more people distracted by this kind of ambient anxiety than ever before, and that most underestimate the power of a support network composed of strong relationships.
The best antidote is sharing any anxiety-inducing thoughts with the people closest to you either in person or over the phone so that they're not overwhelming you at work.
<h3>Being the Hero</h3>
It's common for the hardest-working employees to take on coworkers' problems and responsibilities, distracting them from their own. If you find that either you or one of your employees has a hard time saying "no," then it's time to reevaluate your process and workload.
Those who inundate themselves with jobs that other people should be responsible for should realize that by doing favors, their work can suffer. Thus by trying to "be the hero," they may actually hurt the company rather than help it.
<h3>Dropping the Ball</h3>
Maybe you've tried everything you can to control your impulses, but you still find yourself unable to plan, consistently late and frustrated, and an expert at procrastination. There's a chance you may be an adult living with undiagnosed ADD/ADHD, Hallowell says. Researchers estimate that there are 5 million to 20 million adult Americans in that situation, with many of them in creative professions that require a high intellect.
"The ones who are doing really well, they're thinking, 'Well, nothing's wrong with me.' And maybe nothing's 'wrong' with you, but you could be doing even better," Hallowell explains.
He says that one of his patients is a self-made billionaire who told him that he wishes he'd received his diagnosis 20 years ago. The reason, Hallowell says, is that getting proper coaching, and medication in some cases, helps people stop denigrating themselves for being "lazy" and instead recognize they have a neurological issue. It then takes much less effort to accomplish the same things they had been doing successfully the rest of their lives.
When you take steps to become more focused, you become "happier, more productive, and more energetic, and have less internal conflict," Hallowell says.

ADD Expert Explains How To Overcome The 6 Most Common Distractions At Work

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Daniel Goodman / Business Insider" title_caption="Get off Facebook, and get to work." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/540a280969beddf9018575c2-960/working-focused-typing-office-stamped-bi-dng-4.jpg"></a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/daniel-goodman">Daniel Goodman / Business Insider</a>Get off Facebook, and get to work.</div></div></div>Even when you have a mountain of work or a pages long to-do list, it can be hard to get started. It's so much easier to procrastinate - even if it destroys your productivity.
But whether you need to remove all distractions, take a walk, or revisit your daily goals, there's bound to be a productivity hack to help you get motivated.
In honor of National Fight Procrastination Day on September 6, we've gone through the BI archives to find the best insights on how to beat procrastination and maximize productivity. Here are our 20 essential tips to getting more done:
Streamline email writing. Instead of taking time to compose long emails, try using quick bullet points. Just make sure you're getting your point across clearly. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/prevent-email-from-taking-over-your-life-2014-6">Read more about it here</a>.
Take a short walk. Spending a few minutes outside will help you return to work more focused. In fact, it could boost your productivity by up to 20%. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/unusual-ways-to-be-more-productive-2014-8">Read more about it here</a>.
Eliminate interruptions. Set aside a few hours each day to work uninterrupted. That means no calls, no emails, and no chatting with coworkers. You'll get a lot more done once you let yourself become fully invested in a project without splitting your attention elsewhere. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating-2014-8">Read more about it here</a>.
Prioritize one thing each day. Tim Ferriss, author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-4-Hour-Workweek-Anywhere-Expanded/dp/0307465357/" target="_blank">The Four-Hour Workweek</a>," fights procrastination by making clear goals every morning. He suggests writing out the tasks that are causing you the most stress and asking, "If this were the only thing I accomplished today, would I be satisfied with my day?" to decide what should be your number one priority. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tim-ferriss-productivity-hack-2014-6">Read more about it here</a>.
Remove distractions. Clear off your desk and close out Facebook and Twitter before starting your work. Eliminating potential distractions will help you get in the right mindset to concentrate. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/five-minutes-or-less-productivity-hacks-2014-8">Read more about it here</a>.
Treat yourself. Incentivize yourself to work by creating rewards for every goal you meet, even if it's as small as grabbing a snack once you've finished a project. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating-2014-8">Read more about it here</a>.
Break down large projects. Huge tasks can be overwhelming, causing you to keep putting them off. Instead, try breaking down big projects into smaller bits and tackling one thing at a time. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/proven-ways-to-beat-procrastination-2014-4">Read more about it here</a>.
Find your peak time of day. Figure out which point in the day you're most productive, and keep it distraction-free. Finding these "productivity pockets" will help you maximize your time. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/3-habits-of-highly-productive-people-2014-5">Read more about it here</a>.
Use the internet to your advantage. Download an app like Evernote that organizes your notes, or one like Selfcontrol that keeps you from checking social media. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/web-resources-to-improve-productivity-2014-6">Read more about it here</a>. 
Challenge yourself. If you're bored, you'll be less motivated to do your best work. Find ways to push yourself and keep your motivation up. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating-2014-8">Read more about it here</a>.
Start a "done list." At the end of each day, write down what you've accomplished. It will help you realize how efficiently you're working and where you can improve. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/swap-your-to-do-list-for-a-done-list-2014-8">Read more about it here</a>.
Take short breaks. Try the Pomodoro technique, in which you work for 25 solid minutes followed by a three to five minute break to let your brain relax. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-be-more-productive-pomodoro-technique-2014-5">Read more about it here</a>.
Only check your email once an hour. Instead of jumping on every new email the minute it comes in, give yourself specific times to check your inbox. You'll be able to concentrate on other projects without interruption every time a new message comes in. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/prevent-email-from-taking-over-your-life-2014-6">Read more about it here</a>.
Keep yourself accountable. Setting deadlines for yourself is great, but telling another person will keep you accountable for meeting those deadlines. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/five-minutes-or-less-productivity-hacks-2014-8">Read more about it here</a>.
Try the "under 1o-minutes rule." If a task can be completed in 10 minutes or less, take care of it right away and move on. You'll stop pushing off small tasks. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-trick-to-end-procrastinating-2014-3">Read more about it here</a>.
Draw a Venn diagram. GE CMO Beth Comstock uses Venn diagrams to decide where to get started on big projects. She draws three circles for what she has to do, what she loves to do, and what she hates to do, then begins with the overlap between what she has to get done and what she loves. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/successful-people-productivity-hacks-2014-1">Read more about it here</a>.
Get enough sleep. You're more likely to give in to distractions and waste valuable time if you're feeling fatigued. You'll have much more focus if you're well-rested. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating-2014-8">Read more about it here</a>.
Stay warm. You're more likely to be productive in a warm office than a cold one, so don't hesitate to crank up the heat. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/unusual-ways-to-be-more-productive-2014-8">Read more about it here</a>.
Remind yourself why. If you're struggling to get started on a project, take a few moments to remind yourself why you want to get a certain task finished. It will help you find motivation to get the ball rolling. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/proven-ways-to-beat-procrastination-2014-4">Read more about it here</a>.
Be nice. If you're too hard on yourself, you'll push yourself deeper into procrastination. Stop beating yourself up about putting things off and just start. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/proven-ways-to-beat-procrastination-2014-4">Read more about it here</a>.

The Ultimate Guide To Fighting Procrastination

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hackny/6890140478/in/photolist-9xiduB-buL1JQ-buRLHu-9EoZgp-dgkkkb-eqJHbr-asasy3-dgkf48-as7QVk-asYp1P-asYdit-at1M6U-asau4Q-9EpdWn-asYspV-dfkMU3-9Ep5Qo-as7TJp-asasqL-at22b7-9EnhQk-asawGL-iYdZEi-9xh6t9-9Esb1m-ebpqu9-9EpmXm-asapm1-9xm92N-9EpUES-9EmPTe-gud6Vb-9Ep1Qw-9xmb1N-9xibWD-9EqChh-asawS3-9v8kAd-dfkMpC-9EoEDK-38aDyb-38aD2Y-eqzW5o-eqzGRQ-asayEE-dfkSXY-3oVL78-9EmEdB-at1WCy-at1L5S">hackNY.org/flickr</a></div></div>In today's fast-paced world, we don't want to waste any more time than necessary.
Here are some highly useful and innovative web resources that will help make you more productive and save you a lot of time in the long-run:
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=personal.andreabasso.clearfocus">Clear Focus</a> - This timer uses the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-be-more-productive-pomodoro-technique-2014-5">Pomodoro Technique</a> to prevent you from wasting time on distractions. Instead, it helps you focus on what really matters, by alternating work sessions with small breaks. You'll be able to concentrate more easily and get things done. Just tap once, and get working.
<a href="http://coffitivity.com/">Coffitivity</a> - It has been scientifically proven that people work better with white noise in the background. This site replicates the sound of a coffee shop to achieve the perfect combination of calm and commotion. It'll help you get your creative juices flowing so you won't feel stuck. Other websites that provide great background noise for focusing are <a href="http://www.rainymood.com/">Rainymood</a> and <a href="https://www.focusatwill.com/music/#player">Focus At Will</a>. 
<a href="http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/">Do Nothing For 2 Minutes</a> - Although it seems counterintuitive, this website is the perfect way to refocus your mind after a hard meeting or stressful call, in just under 120 seconds.
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB8QFjAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoodle.com%2F&amp;ei=BompU-rzINSqsQTTvYGIBg&amp;usg=AFQjCNHqdVCsqOBxm9m1WuN3U0BBDIbKJw&amp;bvm=bv.69620078,d.cWc">Doodle</a> - Trying to schedule a meeting? You never need to endure tedious email threads about everyone's available times again. Instead, use Doodle to identify a few potential windows of time for the meeting, and ask everyone else to identify when works for them within those times. It'll be much easier to find the time slot that works for everyone.
<a href="about:blank">Evernote</a> - This simple yet sophisticated note-taking app is legendary for productivity. It organizes your notes in an elegant way, allows you to search for text within an image, captures everything from PDF to web pages, and even has a Webclipper so you can save anything you see online with a single click. 
<a href="http://feedly.com/">Feedly</a> - This useful site organizes the content of your favorite news websites or blogs into one place, so you can easily read and share what matters to you. 
<a href="http://gottcode.org/focuswriter/">FocusWriter</a> - This tool provides a simple, distraction-free writing environment for anyone who needs to get things done. You get a nice, full-screen blank canvas to focus on the next paper you have to write. It also includes timers, alarms, goal setting, themes, typewriter sound effects, statistics, and spell checking. 
<a href="https://hootsuite.com/">Hootsuite</a> - If you need to manage multiple social media accounts, this is the site for you. Hootsuite is a social media dashboard that helps you reduce the amount of time you spend on Twitter and Facebook by scheduling posts for the upcoming weeks. Get your social media work out of the way in one block of time, instead of spending a few hours every day on it.
<a href="https://ifttt.com/">IFTTT</a> - Create productivity chains with this simple app. It uses the idea of "If this, then that" so you can make recipes of Triggers and Actions to prompt you to stay productive. For example, you can make a recipe to unmute your phone when you get home, mute your ringer at bedtime, or text your wife when you leave work.
<a href="https://lift.do/">Lift</a> - Do you want to run every day? Drink more water? Spend 15 minutes reading before bed? Lift helps you develop better habits by keeping track of your daily progress and sending you push notifications to remind you to stay on track. Another great site for building good habits is <a href="http://habitforge.com/">HabitForge</a>, a program that will send you a daily reminder of your goals.
<a href="https://getpocket.com/">Pocket</a> - Use pocket to help you store information, links, and images so you can search through them later. It's also great for bookmarking things to read for later. Another great resource to save articles is <a href="https://www.instapaper.com/">Instapaper</a>, which also allows you to highlight important information.
<a href="http://www.productivityowl.com/">Productivity Owl</a> - This Google Chrome extension will force you to be more productive. An owl follows you to every website you visit and swoops across the page when you're not being productive.
<a href="http://selfcontrolapp.com/">Selfcontrol</a> - This incredibly useful app temporarily blocks you from any distractions or addicting sites such as Facebook, Tumblr, and Youtube. It's only for Mac users, but don't worry - <a href="http://getcoldturkey.com/">Cold Turkey</a> has the same functions, specifically made for Windows users.
<a href="https://unroll.me/">Unroll Me</a> -<a href="https://unroll.me/"></a> When you sign up, you'll find a list of all your subscription emails. Unsubscribe instantly from whatever you don't want. For the subscriptions you want to keep, Unroll Me will "roll" them into one message so you can see them at a glance instead of reading through dozens of emails. More great resources for email productivity are <a href="http://www.mailboxapp.com/">Mailbox </a>and <a href="http://www.sanebox.com/">Sanebox</a>.
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB0QFjAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwakerupper.com%2F&amp;ei=uoaoU7PhE-7LsATZuYLICQ&amp;usg=AFQjCNEQmmqUz2ELnYnZZED_qK6M02sh6Q&amp;bvm=bv.69411363,d.cWc">Wakerupper</a> - This site provides you simple telephone reminders, so you can set a wake-up call at a specific time, remind yourself of important events, remember to take your medication on time, escape from a boring date or meeting, or simply set follow-ups for tasks you meant to do. A similar iPhone app is <a href="http://www.dueapp.com/">Due</a>, which repeatedly alerts you about your tasks until you complete them.
<a href="https://workflowy.com/">Workflowy</a> - With this organizational tool, you'll be able to free your mind of clutter and make your life much, much easier. It'll help you organize your personal to-dos, collaborate on team projects, take notes, write research papers, keep a journal, plan a huge event, and much more. 
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB8QFjAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wunderlist.com%2F&amp;ei=xIaoU5HrJOapsQTutoHgDw&amp;usg=AFQjCNFwy1qRZEmWxJGj9LgBY0XrzcrzWg&amp;bvm=bv.69411363,d.cWc">Wunderlist</a> - This is the easiest way to manage and share your to-do lists. It is applicable for everything from trip planning to shopping lists to even running your own business. Other great resources to help you with task management are <a href="http://www.any.do/">Any.do</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB0QFjAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rememberthemilk.com%2F&amp;ei=z4aoU9ChDYmosAS3sYDoDw&amp;usg=AFQjCNFQOSngVvFwpn2SkYFv470kPnsGpQ&amp;bvm=bv.69411363,d.cWc">Remember The Milk</a>, and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB8QFjAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.todoist.com%2F&amp;ei=CYupU_LSNIzgsAS40oLoAQ&amp;usg=AFQjCNHhPFW3_BKW94zCYciaThjatZLT7w&amp;bvm=bv.69620078,d.cWc">Todoist</a>.

17 Web Resources That Will Improve Your Productivity

The most productive people are masters of efficiency - tuning their calendars, arranging their tasks, and otherwise making the most of their time.&#xa0;
To aid your quest for efficiency, here are 25 of the most useful web productivity resources we've found.
They'll save you a lot of time in the long run:&#xa0;
<a href="https://bufferapp.com/" target="_blank">Buffer</a> - You share things all day on the internet, but you don't want to share them right away. Enter Buffer, a simple, robust utility for scheduling your social media.&#xa0;
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=personal.andreabasso.clearfocus">Clear Focus</a> - This timer uses the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-be-more-productive-pomodoro-technique-2014-5">Pomodoro Technique</a>&#xa0;to prevent you from wasting time on distractions. It helps you focus on what really matters, by alternating work sessions with small breaks. You'll be able to concentrate more easily and get things done. Just tap once and get working.
<a href="http://coffitivity.com/">Coffitivity</a>&#xa0;- Researchers <a href="http://www.fastcolabs.com/3015970/why-ambient-noise-makes-you-more-productive-and-three-apps-that-do-it-right" target="_blank">have found</a> that people work better with white noise in the background. This site replicates the sound of a coffee shop to achieve the perfect combination of calm and commotion. It'll help you get your creative juices flowing so you won't feel stuck. Other websites that provide great background noise for focusing are <a href="http://www.rainymood.com/">Rainymood</a> and <a href="https://www.focusatwill.com/music/#player">Focus At Will</a>.
<a href="http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/">Do Nothing For 2 Minutes</a>&#xa0;- Although it seems counterintuitive, this website is the perfect way to refocus your mind after a hard meeting or stressful call, in just under 120 seconds.
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB8QFjAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoodle.com%2F&amp;ei=BompU-rzINSqsQTTvYGIBg&amp;usg=AFQjCNHqdVCsqOBxm9m1WuN3U0BBDIbKJw&amp;bvm=bv.69620078,d.cWc">Doodle</a> -&#xa0;Trying to schedule a meeting? You never need to endure tedious email threads about everyone's available times again. Instead, use Doodle to identify a few potential windows of time for the meeting, and ask everyone else to identify when works for them within those times. It'll be much easier to find the time slot that works for everyone.
<a href="http://evernote.com/">Evernote</a>&#xa0;- This simple yet sophisticated note-taking app is legendary for productivity. It organizes your notes in an elegant way, allows you to search for text within an image, captures everything from PDF to web pages, and even has a Webclipper so you can save anything you see online with a single click.&#xa0;

<a href="http://feedly.com/">Feedly</a>&#xa0;-&#xa0;This useful site organizes the content of your favorite news websites or blogs into one place, so you can easily read and share what matters to you. For an alternative, try the <a href="http://digg.com/reader" target="_blank">Digg Reader.</a>
<a href="http://gottcode.org/focuswriter/">FocusWriter</a> -&#xa0;This tool provides a simple, distraction-free writing environment for anyone who needs to get things done. You get a nice, full-screen blank canvas to focus on your next writing project. It also includes timers, alarms, goal setting, themes, typewriter sound effects, statistics, and spell checking.&#xa0;
<a href="http://docs.google.com" target="_blank">Google Docs</a> - Don't sleep on Google Docs. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-snaps-up-the-company-that-made-microsoft-office-files-work-on-android-iphone-2012-6">After acquiring the mobile word-processing startup Quickoffice</a>, Google Docs has become a robust platform for editing documents between your computer, your tablet, and your smartphone.&#xa0;
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/grammarly-spell-checker-g/kbfnbcaeplbcioakkpcpgfkobkghlhen" target="_blank">Grammarly Spell Checker and Grammar Checker</a> - Few things are more embarrassing than realizing that you've made grammar mistakes or spelling errors in work that's being read by other people. This Chrome extension adds a layer of security, checking over your prose before you hit "send" or "publish."&#xa0;
<a href="https://hootsuite.com/">Hootsuite</a>&#xa0;- If you need to manage multiple social media accounts, this is the site for you. Hootsuite is a social media dashboard that helps you reduce the amount of time you spend on Twitter and Facebook by scheduling posts for the upcoming weeks. Get your social media work out of the way in one block of time, instead of checking in throughout the day.
<a href="https://idonethis.com/">iDoneThis</a> - At the end of every workday, iDoneThis sends its users a simple email - what did you accomplish today? Answering this question has profound effects: not only do you get an ever-growing log of what you've done, but you're able to see your progress over time, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-incentives-dont-actually-make-people-do-better-work-2014-3">which is crucial for workplace well-being</a>.&#xa0;
<a href="https://ifttt.com/">IFTTT</a> -&#xa0;Create productivity chains with this simple app. It uses the idea of "If this, then that" so you can make recipes of Triggers and Actions to prompt you to stay productive. For example, you can make a recipe to unmute your phone when you get home, mute your ringer at bedtime, or text your wife when you leave work.
<a href="https://lift.do/">Lift</a>&#xa0;- Do you want to run every day? Drink more water? Spend 15 minutes reading before bed? Lift helps you develop better habits by keeping track of your daily progress and sending you push notifications to remind you to stay on track. Another great site for building good habits is&#xa0;<a href="http://habitforge.com/">HabitForge</a>, a program that will send you a daily reminder of your goals.
<a href="https://getpocket.com/">Pocket</a>&#xa0;- Use pocket to help you store information, links, and images so you can search through them later. It's also great for bookmarking things to read for later.&#xa0;Another great resource to save articles is&#xa0;<a href="https://www.instapaper.com/">Instapaper</a>, which also allows you to highlight important information.
 
<a href="http://www.productivityowl.com/">Productivity Owl</a>&#xa0;- This Google Chrome extension will force you to be more productive. An owl follows you to every website you visit and swoops across the page when you're not being productive.
<a href="https://www.rescuetime.com/" target="_blank">RescueTime</a>&#xa0;-&#xa0;This app tracks your activity in applications and on web pages, and then slices that data up for you. The result: a better understanding of how you're actually spending your time.&#xa0;
<a href="http://selfcontrolapp.com/">Selfcontrol</a>&#xa0;-&#xa0;This incredibly useful app temporarily blocks you from any distractions or addicting sites such as Facebook, Tumblr, and Youtube. It's only for Mac users, but don't worry -&#xa0;<a href="http://getcoldturkey.com/">Cold Turkey</a>&#xa0;has the same functions, specifically made for Windows users.
<a href="https://slack.com/" target="_blank">Slack</a>&#xa0;-&#xa0;Slack is a fun, elegant way to coordinate with your team. Enabling group conversations, private discussions, and direct messaging, Slack takes old-school chat rooms to the next level.&#xa0;
<a href="http://skimfeed.com/" target="_blank">Skimfeed</a> - If you want to know what's happening in the tech world in a glance, use Skimfeed, a news aggregator that gathers headlines from top publishers in a readily readable format, preventing the need to wander through your bookmarks and social feeds.&#xa0;

<a href="https://calendar.sunrise.am/" target="_blank">Sunrise</a>&#xa0;- Sunrise is the calendar app that you've been dreaming of. It pulls together calendars that were previously separate, hidden in Google Calendar, Facebook, and a million other places.
<a href="https://unroll.me/">Unroll Me</a>&#xa0;-<a href="https://unroll.me/"></a>&#xa0;When you sign up, you'll find a list of all your subscription emails. Unsubscribe instantly from whatever you don't want. For the subscriptions you want to keep, Unroll Me will "roll" them into one message so you can see them at a glance instead of reading through dozens of emails. More great resources for email productivity are <a href="http://www.mailboxapp.com/">Mailbox </a>and&#xa0;<a href="http://www.sanebox.com/">Sanebox</a>.
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB0QFjAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwakerupper.com%2F&amp;ei=uoaoU7PhE-7LsATZuYLICQ&amp;usg=AFQjCNEQmmqUz2ELnYnZZED_qK6M02sh6Q&amp;bvm=bv.69411363,d.cWc">Wakerupper</a>&#xa0;- This site provides you simple telephone reminders, so you can set a wake-up call at a specific time, remind yourself of important events, remember to take your medication on time, escape from a boring date or meeting, or simply set follow-ups for tasks you meant to do. A similar iPhone app is <a href="http://www.dueapp.com/">Due</a>, which repeatedly alerts you about your tasks until you complete them.
<a href="https://workflowy.com/">Workflowy</a> - With this organizational tool, you'll be able to free your mind of clutter and make your life much, much easier. It'll help you organize your personal to-dos, collaborate on team projects, take notes, write research papers, keep a journal, plan a huge event, and much more.&#xa0;
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB8QFjAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wunderlist.com%2F&amp;ei=xIaoU5HrJOapsQTutoHgDw&amp;usg=AFQjCNFwy1qRZEmWxJGj9LgBY0XrzcrzWg&amp;bvm=bv.69411363,d.cWc">Wunderlist</a>&#xa0;- This is the easiest way to manage and share your to-do lists. It is applicable for everything from trip planning to shopping lists to even running your own business. Other great resources to help you with task management are <a href="http://www.any.do/">Any.do</a>,&#xa0;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB0QFjAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rememberthemilk.com%2F&amp;ei=z4aoU9ChDYmosAS3sYDoDw&amp;usg=AFQjCNFQOSngVvFwpn2SkYFv470kPnsGpQ&amp;bvm=bv.69411363,d.cWc">Remember The Milk</a>, and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB8QFjAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.todoist.com%2F&amp;ei=CYupU_LSNIzgsAS40oLoAQ&amp;usg=AFQjCNHhPFW3_BKW94zCYciaThjatZLT7w&amp;bvm=bv.69620078,d.cWc">Todoist</a>.
This is an update of an article originally written by Maggie Zhang.

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