Two Tips for Wildly Improved Productivity

Posted on October 29th, 2009 by Keith Ferrazzi

Thanks for all those great time management tips earlier this week! We're going to have a great webinar.

Now, here are two productivity tips from marketing leader and teleseminar king Alex Mendossian, who writes frequently on the subject on his blog. I had breakfast with him at Larry Benet's Speakers and Authors Networking Group (SANG) Conference here in LA (see pic of me and Larry below), where I gave the keynote and Alex lead a great panel on events marketing.

Now, Alex's tips:

1. Set aside three 50-minute blocks of time to focus on specific tasks, and use a stopclock to keep the pressure on. Watch, it works!

2. During those 50-minutes, wear a "Productivity Hat." It could be a silly hat or just a baseball cap, but make sure everyone knows what it means - HANDS OFF! until the cap comes off. It'll help you make the mental transition, too.

Keith and Larry Benet at SANG 2009, Los Angeles

Keith and Larry Benet at SANG 2009, Los Angeles

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dj adelaide's Avatar
dj adelaide moderator
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the productivity hat sounds like a great idea, i'll have to try it out for myself!

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Peter Osborne's Avatar
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In a world where we're rarely able to go five or 10 minutes without interruption from Blackberrys, e-mails, or demands from bosses or teams, there are those who would argue that setting aside 50 minutes of focused time is a pipe dream. I recently blogged on the Pomodoro technique, which breaks tasks down in a bit more manageable bites. Please take a look at Respect the Tomato on my Bulldog Simplicity blog for a more detailed look at this technique. http://posborne1.wordpress.com/2009/10/04/pomodoro-time-management/

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Sara Grace's Avatar
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Nice! I wish I had been wearing a productivity hat today. Interruption after interruption despite best efforts at productivity. Happy Halloween!

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David Pezzino's Avatar
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Sara, Tried the stop watch trick today ... yes, it does work! The closer you get to the deadline the faster you finish your task. Almost like a little game. Thanks for your comment. Enjoy the weekend ... ready .. set .. go!

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Sara Grace's Avatar
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David, I've tried Alex's stop watch trick and it really does make a difference. Something about it sitting there, in your face, with the knoweledge it's going to buzz, keeps you anchored to the task at hand.

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David Pezzino's Avatar
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Love the tips. I have always been a proponent of "chunking time" based on the specific type of tasks but never used a stop watch ... definitely will try this. "Productivity Hat" ... hysterical. I just attended a presentation by the Disney Institute on "Inspiring Creativity." My team brainstormed on ways to inspire creativity and we came up with wearing "Mickey Mouse ears" to increase the mindset of creativity ... very similar concept. A simple thing like wearing a hat can be a powerful way of focusing on a new mindset ... even if you feel a little "goofy." :-0) Good stuff!

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