Tools to Increase Your Productivity

Staying productive is, to say the least, difficult. There’s a myriad of different techniques, courses, and software that claims to make you more productive, but finding the right method for you can be overwhelming. Below are a few options we both suggest and use ourselves.

Toggl

Take a trip to Facebook or Twitter, and you’ll find several authors bragging about writing late into the night or for 10 hours straight. The truth is, if these authors actually timed themselves, many would find that 10 hour writing session was actually 3 hours of browsing, 2 hours of social networking, and only 5 hours of writing.

Timers like Toggl will help you record your actual working hours. This is hugely beneficial for many reasons. Not only can you get an accurate measure of your working schedule, but it can also be motivating. Only worked for 20 hours this week? Let’s try to reach 40! It’s also a great indicator of when to take a break. Already worked for 60 hours? Nice work! Now go spend time with the kids.

StayFocusd*

There’s nothing wrong with falling prey to distractions. It’s simply a part of human nature. However, you should do everything you can to avoid it.

StayFocusd acts as a timer and website blocker. You can block entire sites completely for a certain period (or all day), or you can give yourself a time limit before it’s blocked. Of course, there are always ways around the blocks, but the large reminder to “Stay Focused!” each time you visit a blocked site will hopefully motivate (or guilt) you into getting back to work.

*Only available on the Chrome app store. 

Asana / Wunderlist

Although created with businesses in mind, apps like Asana and Wunderlist can be a productivity lifesaver. You can create, organize, share, and search all of your tasks. Plus, you can easily set up due dates to stay on top.

Although probably not best suited for writing, these task managers are a perfect fit for the publication process, no matter your publishing route. It can also be adapted for life at home, as well.

Paper

Oh, good old fashioned paper. There’s plenty of software to help you stay productive, but if it doesn’t work for you, a notebook will work just fine. Sometimes simplicity is the best way to stay on top, so grab yourself a pen and paper and create a to do list. It’s tried, true, and can work for you.

Now, you need more than tools to maintain productivity. Here’s some advice:

1. Take regular breaks—You should take a 3-5 minute break every 40 minutes. No, seriously! Stand up, walk around, use the restroom, talk with someone, take a drink, eat a snack, whatever. Trust us, you’ll be much more productive, and you’ll find that taking a step back will solve most problems better than frustratedly staring at your screen.
2. Write down everything immediately—The last thing you want to do is forget a brilliant idea or an important task. Although using sticky notes is good, save yourself loads of searching (and deskspace) by using software that take advantage of the cloud like iOS Notes, Evernote, Google Docs, and Asana / Wunderlist.
3. Create and follow a schedule—Consistency soon becomes habit. It’s much easier to work when it’s become a habit. In addition, any work you do outside of your normal schedule will feel that much more rewarding.
4. Exercise and eat healthy—If your body is in shape, then your mind is sharper. Even small increases in exercise and healthier foods will cause significant improvements.
5. Don’t stress about being productive—As much as we should strive to be productive, the last thing you should do is stress about it. Everyone works at their own pace. Some days, you simply won't get anything done, and that’s okay. As long as you’re at least trying, you can reach your goals and achieve success.

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—Kirk Cunningham, principal consultant at Cunning Relations 

& head publicist at Jolly Fish Press.