We know that increasing our productivity in the office will help our bottom line, but sometimes get so immersed in our business, that we forget to take a step back and find ways to increase our productivity.

After downsizing over the last month, I realized several different areas that I needed improvement on.  I’m going to go over my top 3 tips to increase your productivity to produce results.

Take out the TRASH

Don’t forget that someone else’s trash is another’s treasure.  Follow the Clean Desk rule and keep your desk as clear as possible.  I know that it can be hard. (Trust me! I really know!)  If it’s a good item, but something you don’t use anymore, consider selling or donating it.

Do your best to clear off items that aren’t related to your work or items that you haven’t used recently.  If you have items that are important, but you don’t need them frequently, find a place for them and setup a Text Reminder with IFTTT so that if it’s a monthly or quarterly item you need to do, you don’t forget.

Lists, Lists & More Lists

I can be the queen of making lists and if done right, they can increase your productivity, but when done wrong they can make you act like you are increasing your productivity!

Set Weekly lists.  You have lots of recurring tasks that must be done frequently, so set certain tasks that are done on certain days of the week.  For instance, every day of the week may have a short list of things done, for instance, every Monday.

Don’t forget about your daily lists.  These are new items that are not recurring.  I recommend making a list every day at the END of the day when it’s fresh in your mind.  This also cuts down on the morning distractions.  Reading emails can be real squirrels!  They easily distract you from doing your important tasks.

While it may seem like you are accomplishing lots by checking off multiple easy items, try to tackle the big items first.  Those items that you have procrastinated because they are larger than the rest.  Get one of those done and you will really have accomplished something.

^^^CLICK TO TWEET!^^^

Hire it out!

There’s nothing I love more than finding ways to get rid of tasks that I find time-consuming.  I really, really dislike grocery shopping.  I’ve used the Walmart feature* that allows you to shop online and schedule a time to pick it up.  They come out and load your car.

However, I still saw time being wasted picking up the items, so when I discovered Instacart, I was ecstatic!  You order online and someone goes to your local participating grocery store, shops and delivers it to your front door! Use my referral link and get $10 off!

Make sure you install the Instacart App on your phone.  You will get a notice if the store is out of an item and can ask for specific replacements.

I also use Jet.com* to order my household items.  Shopping for those can be a real time sucker too!

Don’t forget that you can also use a Virtual Assistant for office tasks.  For instance, I’ve used HJK Global Solutions to help with all of the business cards I’ve gotten at networking events.  They are important, but it can be hard to find the time to sit down and get them into the system.  Having a virtual assistant freed up that time for me to work on result producing tasks!

I would love to hear your tips to increase your productivity. Let me know in the comments!

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