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Work Less, Accomplish More

Disclaimer
This e-book has been written to provide information about Internet marketing
...
However, there may be mistakes in typography or content
...
Therefore, this
ebook should be used as a guide - not as the ultimate source
...
The author and the publisher does not
warrant that the information contained in this e-book is fully complete and
shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions
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Table of Contents
Introduction
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9
1 Make a list of your tasks for the day
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9
3 Use an app to keep track of your checklist
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10
5 Prepare all the materials that you need
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10
7 Have a personal SIM and a work SIM
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11
9 Short message and reminder ringtones are best
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11
11 Proper work space setup
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12
13 If you didn’t do so the day before, tidy up
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12
15 Check the evening news the day before
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13
17 Prepare everything you need the day after
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13
19 Send out tomorrow’s work today
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15
20 Check your inboxes regularly, not frequently
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15
22 Focus!
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16
24 Learn and use shortcut commands
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16
26 Identify the time of the day where you are at peak performance
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28 Tackle everything during the meeting
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18
30 Get up and stretch regularly
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18
32 Close all programs and browser tabs or windows that don’t have something to do with work
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19
34 Organize your bookmarks
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19
36 Install a good antivirus program
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20
38 Keep your virus definitions up-to-date
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20
40 Minimize open windows and applications
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21
42 Ask for UPS, or get a small one for yourself
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22
44 Keep detailed information on backups
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22
46 Perform regular maintenance for your work computer
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23
48 Don’t procrastinate
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23
50 Organize productivity contests
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24
52 Update your agenda or schedules as needed
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24
Things To NOT Do During Work
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26
55 Don’t distract yourself
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26
57 Don’t download and install with abandon
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59 Don’t visit websites other than reference and work-related websites
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28
61 Don’t meet someone out of the blue
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30
62 Put away your tools and equipment
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30
64 If you need to leave your computer running, turn off the monitor and use an automatic shutdown
application
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31
66 Lock up
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31
68 Pat yourself on the back
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33
69 Find a way to unwind after work
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33
71 Get out of bed before the rest of the world
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34
73 Perform regular maintenance on all tools and equipment
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34
75 Check for discrepancies in inventory
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35
77 Perform financial audits
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35
79 Get some well-deserved R & R
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36
81 Make yourself comfortable
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36
Things That Home-Based Workers Can Do
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38
84 Find out when you are most ready for work
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39
86 Itemize your workload
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39
88 Focus but not on social networking sites
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40
90 Set-up a home office or a separate space for work
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41
92 Buddy up and check on each other
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41
94 Modern conveniences are your best friends
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42
96 Dress for the occasion
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43
98 Quantity or quality?
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43
100 Get a change of scenery
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44
Conclusion
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Error! Bookmark not defined
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Few people actually give you tips on how to achieve that
quality of being able to produce good results consistently from your work
...
It does not have to be the
measure of much work you can accomplish in your job
...
The point is that you can get more things done in the same time or
even less
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Note that while we used the word “work” here, in practice
these tips can be used to organize and slap rockets onto your home and social
life
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Things To Do Before Work
This section presents tips that are intended to help you complete your tasks in
an organized manner through proper preparation
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1 Make a list of your tasks for the day
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Aside from ensuring that you don’t forget to do any
of the written tasks, when you see how much left you have to do, you can
get serious about work
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2 Check your agenda f or the next few weeks
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As such, it is the best policy to always know
what you should be doing within the next few weeks, so you can manage
your time and resources properly
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3 Use an app to keep track of your checklist
...
Apps like these can also help you
prepare your schedule for weeks in advance
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4 Set up reminders for meetings and tasks
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Setting a
reminder can also take a load off of your mind and allow you to concentrate
better on the task at hand
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5 Prepare all the materials that you need
...
Having all the tools and
supplies close at hand makes it easy to complete tasks because you won’t
have to break your concentration (or spend time) going to get something
...

Loud ringtones don’t just break your concentration but also that of the
people around you, unless you have your own office or something to that
effect
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We don’t quite recommend turning your cellphone off
because there may be urgent matters that can only come to your attention
through your cellphone
...

If you can afford it (and if you have a high volume of message / call traffic on
your cellphone), then get different SIM cards for your work and personal
lives
...
The idea is that you pay
attention when the work phone rings, and can choose to ignore the
personal phone until you have the free time to check it
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This is a little less obvious
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It can also
bother nearby people
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9 Short message and reminder ringtones are best
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Imagine if you left your
phone on your desk while you stepped away for a bit, and a message came
in
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Choose something short
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Setting a filter to redirect and categorize your e-mail messages can be
helpful, especially if you use one e-mail address for your work and personal
life (which is not recommended, especially if it is a corporate e-mail
address)
...


11 Proper work space setup
...
How can you focus on that spreadsheet when a poster of
your favorite actor or actress is but a few feet away, tempting you with their
paper gaze? Here’s the tip in a nutshell: Decorate your workspace only with
things that help you stay focused on the job
...

Whether you work in a cubicle or in a greasy garage, you should always
check your tools and equipment before starting work
...
Additionally, performing basic checks every day can
prevent serious injury or equipment damage by allowing you to identify
potential problems before they fail catastrophically
...
T
...


13 If you didn’t do so the day before, tidy up
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While this is sloppy, it is also sometimes unavoidable, especially
during crunch periods
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14 Distribute data and supplies
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If there are supplies or data that needs to be distributed to
various personnel, then it should be done as early as possible
...


15 Check the evening news the day before
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This is why getting stuck in traffic is really a bad thing for anyone doing the

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daily grind
...
You will never know when they will close
off some streets in your commute to work unless you check
...
In case such an announcement is made, plan your route
accordingly for a smooth commute to work and a better disposition in the
morning
...

Low energy and a bad mood in the morning are often the results of skipping
the most important meal of the day
...
Drop the coffee-anddonut routine and look for something healthier like some fruit pancakes
...
Just do not forget to pop
it out of the refrigerator before you leave for work
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In the morning rush to get to work the following morning, it is easy to
forget things needed for work
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Do this by taking time to prepare
everything you need before you go to bed
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18 Have the proper mindset for work
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How could
you finish that report when your mind is wandering? With this in mind, it is
best to prepare your brain for work the night before you go to the office
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This means you have more time to finish your work and thus increasing your
output
...

If you have subordinates, you can help them become more productivity by
giving them their allotted work tomorrow on the previous afternoon
...
In other
words, you are helping them work more efficiently by giving them the
opportunity to see what they are up against
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This helps overall performance as well as boosts intraoffice relationships and teamwork
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Everything seems rather obvious and common sense here, but the
fact is that a lot of people need to be reminded of these things
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There’s a difference in checking your inbox at set intervals and checking
your inboxes whenever you get the chance
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This is especially true if
you are the type who checks inboxes almost obsessively
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In cellphones this is easy, but for e-mail it can be a little tricky
...
Again, the usual guidelines for ringtones apply – choose neutral, not
too loud, and not too long
...
However, no tip is too small
or obvious in the pursuit of productivity
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Some people can focus on tasks easily – they’re usually the more
productive ones – and some are not quite as good
...
It takes practice and, semi-ironically, concentration to build up your
powers of concentration
...

Though the human brain is capable of handling many tasks at a time the
cognitive part of it works best on just one thing at a time
...
Worse,
you are more likely to commit errors than a computer is, especially when
you attempt to multi-task
...


24 Learn and use shortcut commands
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While the standard point-and-click method works, using shortcut commands
is a more efficient alternative
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The less time you have figuring out which
menu to pull down, the more time you will have to finish up
...
Chances are there are already pre-programmed
buttons that launch certain applications from the get-go
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25 Get it right the first time, every time
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When you focus on just one task
at a time, you are less likely to make mistakes
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Every mistake can mean that you will need to redo a section, or at worst,
the whole thing
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26 Identify the time of the day where you are at peak
performance
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You can concentrate the most, able to work faster and more
efficiently and produce better results during these hours
...
The most difficult tasks of the day should be done when you are
at your best
...


27 Take notes
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For example, if you come across some possibly important bit of information,
make a quick note regarding its location and content
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Keeping your mind as free of
clutter as possible makes it more efficient; the same principle applies to
relegating reminders to your smartphone rather than your internal active
memory
...

Getting up and out of your desk and asking your coworkers about workrelated things are not only bad for your productivity but theirs as well
...
This is
why the time for meetings should be used for asking questions and making
things clear with your coworkers
...
Schedule meetings on Thursdays or Fridays
instead of Mondays to avoid burning out your employees at the start of the
work week
...

It does not have to be some exoteric Zen trick
...
If you find yourself
getting confused or having a headache, pause somewhere you can easily
pick up, and take a few moments to re-center yourself
...

You might think that getting up keeps one away from work and distracts
from the task at hand, but think again
...
With fewer distress signals to bother
it, your brain can become more efficient than it could have if you just
slogged through the aches
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If your work was a set of math problems,
then you should pause after completing a problem, not while in the middle
of one
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Communication is essential in any work, especially if it is a team project
...
By completing communication tasks early
and quickly, you can ensure that the whole team stays on track
...


32 Close all programs and browser tabs or windows
that don’t have something to do with work
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Or at least, not during your active work time
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Even better, don’t play games while at work!

33 Bookmark useful sites
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For example, if you find a
great reference site, keep a bookmark of its homepage
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Even when
you come across a site that isn’t useful at the moment bur may prove useful
in the future, add a bookmark to your Web browser
...

Aside from creating bookmarks, you should also keep them organized
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File away old bookmarks that are no
longer being used, or simply delete them
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35 Prioritize work as needed
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Of course there is nothing more discouraging than a stack of paperwork on
your desk
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Prioritize work according to what is more urgent and/or important
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When you
are done with everything marked “Urgent,” use your remaining time you
have to tackle papers you still have left
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36 Install a good antivirus program
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There are a few good free antivirus programs, but if you want premium
protection then you might want to ask your administrator about a
corporate installation of high-grade antivirus suites
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37 Scan all files that you load onto your computer
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Assuming
you have an antivirus program installed, right click the file or file group and
look for something like “Scan file”
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If it turns up clean, well and good
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38 Keep your virus definitions up-to-date
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Most antivirus programs do this automatically, but only if they are set
to do so (which is the default)
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Bottom line: Make sure your
antivirus program’s database is updated and set to update automatically
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This goes with little saying, but protecting your privacy and online financial
security is strongly reliant on how well you protect your financial and
personal information online
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Avoid giving out credit information unless you can verify

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that the webpage you are on is what it is supposed to be, and not a lookalike
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And besides,
you really should not be doing your online shopping while at work! Your
company might be using software to monitor your behavior, which may
include monitoring keystrokes – in essence, an untrustworthy workmate
with access to the monitor data dumps can pick out your password or
whatever important information you typed in
...

This one applies to those who work primarily with computers
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Not only will it slow down the
performance in general, but you increase the risk of unresponsiveness and
automatic program termination
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41 Save regularly
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A sudden program freeze or crash can be
troublesome, but the impact can be reduced by ensuring you save regularly
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42 Ask for UPS, or get a small one f or yourself
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Unlike a backup generator system, UPS activates instantly – perfect for
computers which can cut out with power interruptions of mere fractions of
a second
...
A

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UPS can give you enough time to save all your information and do a proper
shutdown, ensuring you do not lose data and avoid potential system or
program corruption
...

Keeping backups of your files and regularly updating those backups is one
secret to productivity
...
Keeping
multiple backups is also a vital practice for programmers, since they may
want to roll back changes due to unforeseen circumstances
...


44 Keep detailed information on backups
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If you have enough space, you can
keep backups for years to come, and that can mean lots of duplicate files
that may not necessarily be the same
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45 Keep records and store them properly
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This does not just improve accountability and the ability to
recover from loss, but it can also help you monitor performance and take
appropriate actions
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46 Perform regular maintenance for your work
computer
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There are actually a few things that are simple
enough that you can do them on your own
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Defragging can help your
computer de-clutter its hard drive and keep it running at optimum speeds
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No need to keep calling the IT guys and stop working altogether
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Priority values rely on metrics like difficulty, time to
deadline, required resources (including time), and if you play office politics,
who it’s for
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If a high-priority item cannot be
worked on yet, turn to other high-priority items before taking care of lowpriority items
...

Don’t put off work that you can do now
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Aside from
lowering your overall productivity, procrastination sets you up for
dangerous crunches that could be much less taxing if you completed your
tasks as they came up
...

This one is for supervisors and middle managers of all kinds
...
Better yet, do it at random times
...


50 Organize productivity contests
This is another one for managers and works best in companies which deal in
products made or assembled by people
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Though in reality they should be putting in
effort anyway, a little incentive now and then is not a bad thing
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If it is
your responsibility to do so, then make sure to take care of it right away
...

When changes occur that will have effects on schedules or your agenda,
update your reminders, and if needed, communicate with the concerned
parties
...

This will help you avoid situations where you forget appointments or you
don’t get what you need because it was not requested beforehand, which
causes stress and loss of time for everyone involved
...

Being cordial around officemates is good not only for your productivity but
the office as a whole as well
...
Compare that to an office where a few coworkers
are cold towards each other
...
Do you get why there is an annual company
retreat now? If you are really not the friendly type, at least give your
coworkers a smile every now and then
...
This quite obviously includes things
labeled as NSFW, but there’s quite a bite more too
...

Unless it is your break time, you should not be doing anything that isn’t part
of your work
...
Even if you use them during break time, you risk lowering your
productivity should the content get stuck in your head, making you
anticipate the next time you can enjoy that entertainment
...

It’s too easy to get lost in all the stuff that’s online, or on your mobile
devices, especially if the company you work for is not very strict about the
use of the company Internet bandwidth
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Stay focused on your work, and whatever you do, don’t click that
mysterious link!

56 Don’t let others distract you
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An officemate might send you the
link, or will be viewing it (and laughing like a loon) when you pass by
...
That’s why you will need to stay on track and avert your eyes
...

Practice Internet safety to avoid infection
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Downloading programs and the like, you’re
basically getting them for free
...
The effects range from
unnoticeable to rapid decline in performance and breakdown
...


58 Don’t stream videos or download using the company
bandwidth
...
Aside from being construable as improper use of
company resources, you risk slowing the network down for everyone
because of the bandwidth you are consuming
...

Banning any and all unauthorized websites is difficult in practice for
companies, so they would rather apply policies by informing the employees
...
Leave your online shopping, sports news, or
titillating images for when you are at home
...
Being caught
simply visiting the wrong website can get you fired from your job
...

One of the biggest distractions during work is socializing with coworkers
...
Any talks with people in the office should be
restricted to work-related topics – not the latest office gossip
...
If you really want to
catch up with your coworkers, do so in your own time
...


61 Don’t meet someone out of the blue
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Such meetings are only good for
interrupting your train of thought and disturbing your concentration
...
You
would be surprised to find out how much time you waste in these idle and
unimportant chats
...
As paradoxical as that
statement is, there is truth in it
...
Yes, you may be tired already, but
try to do these as much as possible, okay?

62 Put away your tools and equipment
...
Putting away your tools and
equipment does not just keep them organized, it also makes the work area
safer, and in the case of common resources, makes it easy for others to find
and use them
...


63 Shut down your computer
...
Unless you are running some
resource-heavy task that requires all night, you should shut down your
computer
...
A full shutdown means that
you can start off from the best possible state because your computer was
able to clean itself with the shutdown
...

Sometimes we can’t wait for our computers to complete certain tasks,
which is why we sometimes need to leave them running after hours
...
Give your shutdown a little leeway in case the task takes a little
longer than expected
...

When you’re done for the day, make sure to tidy up your workspace
...
Pick up bits of trash and throw them into the
waste bin
...
Do what you can to improve the
cleanliness and orderliness of your area so you can come in the next day to a
neat and conducive workplace
...

Lock up what you can if it is under your jurisdiction to do so (i
...
you have
the keys)
...
Security is essential to productivity, as it ensures that you won’t
be set back by losses in supplies, equipment, end-products, or vital
documents
...

More specifically, take time to analyze how you did things afterwards
...
You will never know if there is a better way of doing
things unless you start looking for one
...
Do not be afraid to try new

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things especially if it might bring better results or optimize your work
process
...


68 Pat yourself on the back
...
When
you do well enough, your boss or supervisor is bound to take notice and
compliment you for a job well done
...
End your day the same way you started it – in a good mood
...


69 Find a way to unwind after work
...

Stress from our jobs makes live in general more difficult, and our jobs more
dislikable
...
A
good hobby can relieve the stress, making it easier to stick with the job
...
If your hobby produces some form of product, whether
physical or digital, you could also sell it for incidental income
...

Music calms the wildest beast and the same goes true with a disorganized
mind
...
When the opportunity allows for such, pop some earphones on and
listen to good music for a change
...
Good music is great for clearing your head and helping
you concentrate more
...
He or she may not like your preference of music after
all
...

Setting your alarm clock at least an hour earlier then everyone else’s is great
for getting you to work early in the morning
...
No phone calls,

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no one dropping by at your desk and other such things
...
Quite obviously,
this boosts productivity by allowing you to concentrate on the task at hand
...

Lots of people seek relief from stress by drinking, often to excess
...
Alcohol is not
the solution to your work stress, or any stress for that matter
...


73 Perform regular maintenance on all tools and
equipment
...
Oil hinges
...

Wipe down surfaces
...
Perform full system scans
...
Check for leaks
...
Whatever it is that you do for a living there is something you can
do to maintain good working conditions
...

This one applies mostly to those who work in food-related or
pharmaceutical jobs
...
This can lead to a lot of problems,
so it is best to check regularly for expired items and to remove them from
the shelves or avoid using them
...

A regular inventory audit can reveal discrepancies in inventory and reported
sales volumes
...
Whatever the result may be, there is always
something you can do to make it better
...

The sad truth is that not everyone works productively
...
To really help boost your productivity,
surround yourself with like-minded people who are really into what they are
doing
...
Laid back people are better off working with the same
happy-go-lucky crowd
...
This helps sync up your work habits
and produces a harmonious relationship with your coworkers
...

Aside from possibly discovering embezzlement and pilferages, performing
regular financial audits enables you to better understand your business’s
performance
...


78 Find time to exercise
...

You already spend eight hours of your life sitting on a chair on the
weekdays
...

No need to build your body here
...
Exercising on the
weekend also helps break the monotony of work and helps get rid of the
Monday blues when it is time to work again
...

There is a reason why they say “work hard, play harder
...
Find time to do something you want like watching the
football game or firing up the barbecue
...
The main point here is to relax and
free yourself from stress and you are going to need it
...


80 Get enough sleep
...
A
lack of sleep will most surely decrease your attention span and your ability
to concentrate
...
So instead of
being up all night, do not go past your bed time
...
This way,
you are not a slave to the coffee machine anymore
...


81 Make yourself comf ortable
...
You simply cannot expect someone to come up
with a breakthrough in uncomfortable situations
...
Anything that can be done to make you feel comfortable while
working should be done without delay
...


82 Stay “electronic
...
The last thing you need is to shuffle through scores of papers while on
a trip
...
If you must take down notes for a meeting, keep a
small notebook handy
...
This may need some getting used to during the first few trips
but it is well worth the adjustment you have to go through
...
As the name suggests, they work from the comforts of
their own home more often than not as freelancers
...

This section is dedicated to tips on how to improve productivity at home
offices
...

More often than not, the main problem of working from home is
procrastination
...
Since
you do not have a work schedule, you will have to come up with one
yourself
...
When the time
for work comes, the brain can quickly shift into gear and you will feel more
inclined to work
...


84 Find out when you are most ready f or work
...
There is no
need to stick to this time frame either
...
The important thing to consider here is
when you feel like working
...
Use this to your own advantage by setting up your work
schedule to coincide with the time frame you are most likely at your most
productive
...


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85 Plan ahead of work
...
This makes it a bit more difficult to plan the day ahead
...
This way, you
have an idea on how to go about the day and lets you accomplish what
needs to done right off the bat
...
It also serves as your plan of action which you can always consult
whenever you seem to be lost and in need of guidance
...

Reading off the work for the day is often daunting and makes you want to
not work at all
...
Having a to-do list lets you organize your work load
and checking items off as you go is also encouraging
...
Still, you have the option of coming up
with one from the ground up
...
It may as well be the answer you are looking for
...

Working from home is a relatively new phenomenon that some people still
fail to grasp
...
“You are not even in an office” as they often quip
...
When this happens, it is
best to make them aware that you are working and cannot afford to be
distracted
...


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88 Focus but not on social networking sites
...
When not
needed, it is best to disconnect from your router or broadband connection
...

You will be amazed at how much time you can recover when you start
focusing on the work at hand
...
For now,
you have to focus
...

With no boss around, it is up to you to check on your own progress
...
Did you take longer
or faster than you expected? This should give you a good idea if you are
being productive or not
...
This is an online time-tracking software
which tells its user how he or she spends his or her time on the computer
...


90 Set-up a home office or a separate space for work
...
As such, you want to devote a separate space
for work to make a distinction between work and play
...

Get all the hardware you need and put it in one convenient place for quick
and easy access
...


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91 Outsource some of the work
...
Most business people make the mistake of thinking they
can do something themselves to cut costs
...
With this in mind, you are better off hiring a
messenger, virtual assistant, bookkeeper and others to do the job for you
...
This frees up your mind from mundane tasks so you can have more
brilliant ideas
...

Some people just do not have enough self-discipline to keep them working
...
Ideally, this should be someone who tracks your progress
and gives suggestions on how to improve your productivity
...
Essentially, you are asking him
or her to act like your boss
...


93 Invest in sound and reliable technology
...
Still, the
importance of such meetings is present
...
Investing in the best technology
money can buy is a good idea then
...
It may cost more
but it will give off better benefits in the long run
...


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94 Modern conveniences are your best friends
...
A smartphone is
ideal for entrepreneurs on the go where you can check your email and make
and receive phone calls anytime, anywhere
...
A fast broadband connection lets you finish your tasks quickly
and without delay
...
Your clients will only thank you with their
continued patronage
...

Just like working in the office, working at home also requires short breaks in
between
...
This reduces the strain caused by staring at the computer all day
...
Grab a quick snack to
help replenish your energy and keep your mind sharp and active
...
Just be careful not to
doze off completely!

96 Dress for the occasion
...
Well you can but that is not a good idea
...
Continue your
routine as you would when you were still going to the office
...
You do not have to change in that respect in the first place
...


43

Work Less, Accomplish More

97 If you are not up to it, STOP
...
Take this
as a sign that you are not ready to work yet
...
Just do not over
indulge yourself
...
Be sure that you are still meeting the deadlines
you have set though
...
With no one else to check and proofread, it is easy for quality
to get left behind the dust
...
While you are working, it is best to check
for the quality of your article, design or whatever it is you are working on
...

At the extreme end of procrastination is working your self too hard
...
It
may be tempting to “do tomorrow’s work today for a free day after” but it
must be avoided
...
Working long hours is only bad for productivity
...
Work within your
capabilities and avoid overstretching yourself
...

Working and living in the same location can drive someone mad
...
The best way to address this problem is
to get out of the house and find a nice place to work in
...

Alternatively, you can try relaxing on the beach while you work
...


101 Suit yourself
...
Want music? Turn on the radio or your iPod
...

Want to eat while working? Head on to the kitchen and make yourself a
sandwich
...
Use this to your advantage and set-up an environment that
encourages you to work harder and produce better results
...
Everything you learned here
requires small changes on your part
...

Different these tips may be, all of them have one thing in common
...
That is, if you start including these in
your work habit, you are bound to see the results you are looking for
...

With this in mind, you want to start improving your productivity and boosting
your performance as soon as possible
...
So what are you waiting for? Work better and start to impress
your boss, client or coworkers
...




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