STOP Wasting Valuable time

Say bye-bye to uncompleted tasks, and hello to productivity! We've developed a list of the top 3 counterproductive habits that impede success, and tips to overcome those pesky time wasting actions that keep you from accomplishing your goals.

1. LACK OF PRIORITIZING

Set yourself up for success by creating a "to-do" list that includes every task you'd like to accomplish by the end of the day. Your "to-do" list for the day should begin with the most important or dreaded action items and then trickle down to the more minimal tasks. We suggest that you prioritize each task by either labeling them “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D,” numbering them or color coding them based on the level of importance. If you receive additional tasks as the day progresses that you must complete before the end of the day, we recommend that you add them to your list and prioritize based on the tasks currently listed. 

If by chance you have more tasks than time and unfortunately don't accomplish all the tasks on your "to-do" list, we recommend that you add them the next day's "to-do" list, and prioritize them according to their importance.

2. MULTITASKING

After you prioritize your list of tasks, focus on completing one task before starting another. Although you may feel like you’re a superhero who has the ability to perform ten tasks at one time, the reality is you can’t. Tasks that have a high priority often times require your undivided and uninterrupted attention. Multitasking is a time waster and can lead to important details falling through the cracks.

If your list includes several high priority tasks that are time sensitive, we recommend that you reevaluate the priority assigned to each task, ask for additional time or if possible delegate the responsibility to another resource.

3. INTERNET SURFING

Surfing the web in order to conduct research that supports the task at hand is perfectly okay. However, if you find yourself shopping or doing other things online that take your attention away from what needs to be done, stop immediately, close out the browser window and refocus the task you were working on. 

Spending time on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can really suck your time away from you. If you have to stay connected to social media,  we recommend that you give yourself a strict window of time to check your social pages, but set time limitations.

Let's be honest, we are all guilty of committing these counterproductive “crimes,” but it’s not too late to break these habits. If you focus on mastering these three tips you'll not only increase your productivity, but you'll also minimize the possibility of wasting another day.