Issue #100 | September 7, 2024

Hey, Reader, it's Mark.

In today’s hyper-connected world, a flood of emails and notifications can overwhelm you.

But, here’s some good news: a few changes can boost your productivity and help you reclaim your time.

Let’s dive in!

Conquer Your Email Inbox

How many unread emails do you have right now?

If you’re like most people, the answer is “too many.”

A cluttered inbox is more than annoying. It’s wasting your time and costing you opportunities.

The Problem: Archive and delete buttons aren’t enough. You need to tackle the root cause.

The Solution: Unsubscribe ruthlessly. Remember, every email you don’t receive is one less distraction.

Set Boundaries (Even in Open Offices)

Boundaries are key for focus and productivity, whether you work from home or in an open office.

For Remote Workers: Set a specific workspace. Tell your family when you’re “at work.”

For Office Workers: Use visual cues, like colored cards, to signal your availability. Green means available, and red means busy.

Schedule Your Time Intentionally

Do you ever feel like you’re busy all day but accomplish nothing?

If so, that’s a sign that you need to be more intentional with your time.

Key Tip: Schedule everything, not just meetings. Also, schedule time for emails, projects, and breaks. Remember to include buffer time for unexpected delays or tasks.

Remember: Everyone gets the same 24 hours. The most successful people tell their time what to do instead of wondering where it went.

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Tame Your Notifications

Here’s a shocking fact: after checking a notification, it takes 26 minutes to fully re-focus. Think about how many times your phone pings in a day!

Challenge: Try a “notification cleanse.” Turn off all non-essential notifications for a week. See how they affect your focus and productivity.

Embrace Strategic Breaks

Contrary to popular belief, pushing through fatigue or frustration isn’t productive. Your brain needs regular breaks to perform at its best.

The Technique: Work in focused bursts of 30-90 minutes. Then, take a 5-10 minute break. During this break, step away from all screens and just be present.

Pro Tip: These breaks help your brain process info. They can spark new ideas!

Food for Thought

What would you do with it if you could reclaim just one hour of productive time each day? How might it change your work, goals, or life?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

HR Professionals: Are productivity challenges holding your organization back? Join me, Mister Productivity, for a free 20-minute HR Productivity Discovery Call. I'll listen to your unique needs and challenges, offering insights to help streamline your HR processes and boost organizational efficiency. Click here to schedule your call and start the journey towards peak performance.

See you next Saturday!

Mark

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