Productivity Tips

For those of you how don't know Suzanne and I have been going to the Writing Center on campus for help with our manuscript drafts that we plan to submit to academic journals.

Writing Center Tips for us:
1. Come up with small tasks versus 'write paper' (which seems daunting and somehow always finds its way to 'tomorrow's to do list')
2. Have scheduled writing dates and don't stand yourself up! (I added that last part because I do make dates with myself and often am a no show...)

So far this experience has been very helpful and I am looking forward to sharing easily digestible articles in the near future!

Additional Productive Tips brought to you via an Anecdote email I read on the bus this morning:
1. Create a space where you can work uninterrupted
2. Create your space for a specific period of time

Let's talk about time because I just learned about Ultradian Rhythms for Productivity...

Our bodies have natural cycles that occur at intervals between 90-120 minutes throughout the day.  In order to maintain energy and maximize your creativity, author Tony Schwartz wrote advises limiting your productivity to intervals of 90 minutes followed by a 30 minute period of 'renewal'.  Renewal can be moderate exercising, listening to music, or even resting.  Then the cycle begins again and another high energy 90 minute cycle starts again.  To operate at our best, we need to renew our energy!

Tony tells his story that for his first several books, he would sit at his desk for 10-12 hours at a time.  It would take him a couple years to finish his books.  For his most recent book, he claims he was able to 'focus far more intensely and get more done in far less time, by limiting each writing cycle to 90 minutes and building periods of renewal' Each writing session was no more than four and a half hours a day (3 cycles per day).  He finished 'The way we're working isn't working' in less than six months.

Anecdote's author recommends to start by building one period of uninterrupted focus into each day.  Your brain is like any other muscle - you need to train your focus and start with small attainable goals.  Experiment.  When are you the most productive? Where? For how long?

Optional Brain Training:
Find your uninterrupted space
Set a timer for 50 minutes - and get going on ONE thing - multitasking is not productive!
Set your next timer for 10 minutes - walk, talk, relax!
Set up your next 50 minutes - knowing that you've done it before and you can do it again!
Now you get a 30 minute break!


Let me know if you are interested in giving this a try - I'd love to hear how it went!

Buena Suerte!