Prioritize Like You’re Going On Vacation

According to a study on motivation, researchers found that abstract thinking is an effective method to help with discipline. While “dreaming big” is sound advice, you need to balance that with intrinsic motivators.

The answer to this problem  - “micro quotas” and “macro goals.”

• Low task value. These are the tasks that we view as low value. When a task is unpleasant or boring, we try to tie it with a more enjoyable activity. Using deadlines or the two-minute rule can help get around this.
• Personality. Some people are more im...

We all waste time. In fact, one survey found that 89% of employees admitted that they waste time at work every day. Not that that’s always a bad thing. There is a thin line between good and bad wasting of time, however.

Unplugging and recharging, building relationships,...

Self-forgiveness for procrastinating can reduce future procrastination. 

We often avoid doing things that make us feel bad. That pent-up guilt of wasting time will keep repeating. But, if you forgive yourself, you’ll be able to break that cycle.

The 2–Minute Rule overcomes procrastination and laziness by making it so easy to start taking action that you can’t say no.

• The first part of this rule is that if a task takes under two minutes or less to complete, do it immediately. Examples would be responding to an email or toss...

The idea is to go hard at a task for a set period of time, and then take a short break. After you’ve completed four pomodoros, take a longer break of between 15 and 30 minutes.”

The Pomodoro Technique is supposed to improve concentration and avoid multitasking. At the same time, those break...

Multitasking is ineffective and one of the biggest time wasters around. That’s because the human brain can only focus on one thing at a time.

Do one thing at a time. Eliminate distractions. Create a priority list. And, take frequent breaks.