10 Timeless Work Habits To Boost Your

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In our modern world, everyone is looking to do things faster, better, smarter, so it's no wonder
that productivity hacks are incredibly popular.
But the truth is that there's nothing new under the sun; despite whatever the newest book,
product, or guru wants to sell you, you can learn to become more productive with work habits
people have used for many years. Apply even a few of these and you will increase your
productivity, guaranteed:
1. Define your MITs. MIT stands for most important task, and just by taking a few
moments to identify 35 things you must accomplish each day, you will improve your
overall productivitybecause you can't focus on your important work if you don't
know what's important.
2. Don't multi-task. We live In a multi-tab, multiple device kind of world, but scientists tell
us that none of us is truly a good multi-tasker. Working on one thing at a time will make
you faster and less apt to make mistakes.
3. Create a morning routine (and an afternoon routine and an evening routine). For
many people, defining and sticking to a morning routine can help ensure a smooth start
to the day. If you know you operate at your best when you have exercised and had a
good breakfast, making those things a priority will positively affect the rest of your day.
Likewise, routines for other times of the day can streamline daily tasks.
4. Edit your input streams and simplify. Most people I know wouldn't want to give up
their newsletters, social media, or blog reading, but there are ways to make your media
consumption more productive. First, ruthlessly edit your media streams to the most
valuable and important ones; then, find ways to streamline your consumption with RSS
feeds, apps like Hootsuite, and offline readers.
5. Be succinct. When writing emails, get to the point quickly. A good rule of thumb is to
limit your email to five sentences or less.
6. Do important work. In the classic "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," Steven
Covey presents a matrix that divides our activities into four categories: urgent and
important, not urgent but important, urgent and unimportant, and not urgent not
important. The key is to spend most of our time in quadrent two, doing the important
work that isn't driven by crisis.
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Bernard Marr
Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker and Consultant in Strategy, Performance
Management, Analytics, KPIs and Big Data
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7. Batch similar tasks. The simplest example of this is choosing to process emails only
once or twice a day rather than jumping like one of Pavlov's dogs every time the
computer dings. Identify tasks that are interrupting your flow (email, phone calls,
meetings, etc.) and schedule a time to do them all at once.
8. Eliminate, automate, delegate. Doing your best work often requires eliminating or
minimizing tasks that you don't need to do. First, eliminate anything you can from your
to do list; determine if any tasks can be automated with technology or templates; and
finally, delegate any tasks that don't need your personal attention to a coworker or
assistant.
9. Work offline. The Internet is a fantastic, but tempting place. If you have difficulty
avoiding its distractions, work offline or take your work somewhere without an Internet
connection to force some focus. I get so much work done on long plane journeys and I
sometimes go to a local Coffee shop for some uninterrupted work.
10. Do the thing you want to do the least, first. Prioritize those items you are most
likely to procrastinateyour day will go much more smoothly when the phone call
you're dreading or the report you don't want to write are finished and no longer
weighing on your mind.
You don't need a fancy system for productivity, just a few good, timeless habits. I'd love to
hear your best productivity hacksnew or classicin the comments.
Here is a slideshare summary of these 10 timeless work habits:
-------------------
I really appreciate that you are reading my post. Here, at LinkedIn, I regularly write about
management and technology issues and trends. If you would like to read my regular posts
then please click 'Follow' (at the top of the page) and send me a LinkedIn invite. And, of
course, feel free to also connect via Twitter, Facebook and The Advanced Performance
Institute.
Here are some other recent posts I have written:
The One Thing Successful People Never Do
5 Sad Truths About Success And Happiness
The 15 Biggest Body Language Mistakes To Watch Out For
Which Of These Mistakes Do You Make - That Successful People Don't?
Caution: When KPIs Turn To Poison
The Tale-Tell Signs Of A Bad Boss
Stop Using These 30 Phrases At Work!
The 75 KPIs Every Manager Needs to Know
About : Bernard Marr is a globally recognized expert in strategy, performance management,
analytics, KPIs and big data. He helps companies and executive teams manage, measure
and improve performance.
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Aashish Sharma Aashish Sharma

Director, Business Development, Application Services at Capgemini Director, Business Development, Application Services at Capgemini
As always, a fantastic post by As always, a fantastic post by Bernard Marr Bernard Marr. I'm not sure if you're taking requests, but perhaps . I'm not sure if you're taking requests, but perhaps
a reverse of this post "10 Work Habits That Are Killing Your Productivity" would be useful for a a reverse of this post "10 Work Habits That Are Killing Your Productivity" would be useful for a
significant population. significant population.
Like Like(18) (18) Reply Reply(2) (2) 1 month ago 1 month ago
Marilena Popa Marilena Popa
Human Resources Management | Talent Acquisition | Career Counseling | Human Resources Management | Talent Acquisition | Career Counseling |
I knew it all of them. Will you give us as well 10 ways don't forget them, please? I knew it all of them. Will you give us as well 10 ways don't forget them, please?
Stephanie Griffiths Stephanie Griffiths
Senior Relationship Manager EMEA at CDM Media Senior Relationship Manager EMEA at CDM Media
I completely agree with point 10 - since adopting this strategy I have found my days have been I completely agree with point 10 - since adopting this strategy I have found my days have been
smoother and far more productive, taking away any tense items from my to do list first thing in smoother and far more productive, taking away any tense items from my to do list first thing in
the morning makes me feel like I have already achieved a lot in my day and sets me in a the morning makes me feel like I have already achieved a lot in my day and sets me in a
positive frame of mind for the remainder of the day. I will be sharing this with my office, positive frame of mind for the remainder of the day. I will be sharing this with my office,
thanks. thanks.
Like Like(6) (6) Reply Reply 1 month ago 1 month ago
Quincy Willis Quincy Willis
Web & Graphic Designer Web & Graphic Designer
This is a well defined list for everyone to follow in life. If I could add to the list it would be to This is a well defined list for everyone to follow in life. If I could add to the list it would be to
learn 1-5 words a day and try and use them. Building vocabulary can not only give an learn 1-5 words a day and try and use them. Building vocabulary can not only give an
intellectual interpretation but also build memory skills in the process. intellectual interpretation but also build memory skills in the process.
Arsalan Anwar Khan (MSPM) Arsalan Anwar Khan (MSPM)
Technical Project Manager at ZTE Technical Project Manager at ZTE
Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day. -Mark Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day. -Mark
Twain Twain
Thomas Skennerton Thomas Skennerton
Director of Corporate Renewal (Australia & International) | Churchill Education Director of Corporate Renewal (Australia & International) | Churchill Education
Thanks Thanks Bernard Marr Bernard Marr for taking the time to publish this excellent article. Good common sense for taking the time to publish this excellent article. Good common sense
stuff that most of us, from time to time, simply forget, or let slip from our routines. stuff that most of us, from time to time, simply forget, or let slip from our routines.
Professionally I add one more point. Professionally I add one more point.
11. Take the time to review your day; what you achieved, what you still are to achieve, and 11. Take the time to review your day; what you achieved, what you still are to achieve, and
what needs to be actioned tomorrow, that didn't get attention today (and communicate to what needs to be actioned tomorrow, that didn't get attention today (and communicate to
everyone involved). everyone involved).
Thanks again :) Thanks again :)
Iyappan Rathina Iyappan Rathina
Senior Consultant at TCS Senior Consultant at TCS
Absolutely true, productivity working from home is more than working from the office Absolutely true, productivity working from home is more than working from the office
Dhruv Makan Dhruv Makan
Medical Student Medical Student
But number 10 is the most apt thing for me to do personally. Prioritizing things is the biggest But number 10 is the most apt thing for me to do personally. Prioritizing things is the biggest
struggle and learning how not to procrastinate, its the easy thing to do! At that point of time struggle and learning how not to procrastinate, its the easy thing to do! At that point of time
anyways. anyways.
David (Dave) Lynch David (Dave) Lynch
Proofreading Book Formatting Book Marketing Proofreading Book Formatting Book Marketing
And time boxing... give yourself a hard deadline and try to stick to it. Don't forget Parkinson's And time boxing... give yourself a hard deadline and try to stick to it. Don't forget Parkinson's
Law: any task will expand to fit the time allocated to it! Law: any task will expand to fit the time allocated to it!
Michael Fabris Michael Fabris
Vice Director of Finance at Foundation for Democratic Advancement Vice Director of Finance at Foundation for Democratic Advancement
Wow, it must be so nice to work in a job where you have that much control and direction over Wow, it must be so nice to work in a job where you have that much control and direction over
your work flow. your work flow.
carol wachira carol wachira
Good insight. will start practicing now Good insight. will start practicing now
ABHISHEK BANERJEE ABHISHEK BANERJEE
Innovative Marketing Communication Professional with Exceptional Writing, Speaking, Innovative Marketing Communication Professional with Exceptional Writing, Speaking,
Leadership and Organizational Skill Leadership and Organizational Skill
Good insight Good insight Bernard Bernard, when I open my laptop in the morning I first of all follow the #1 point , when I open my laptop in the morning I first of all follow the #1 point
which you mentioned but at the end of the day I find some jobs are still remaining because I which you mentioned but at the end of the day I find some jobs are still remaining because I
had to reply email at every hour which deviate me from my task. The jobs which are pending had to reply email at every hour which deviate me from my task. The jobs which are pending
get postponed to the next day. I have tried a lot to correct this habit of mine but all in vain. As get postponed to the next day. I have tried a lot to correct this habit of mine but all in vain. As
you mentioned one should reply mail only at a time but that is not possible for me as I have to you mentioned one should reply mail only at a time but that is not possible for me as I have to
reply instantly(imp. emails only). reply instantly(imp. emails only).
In this case your article came as a savior for me In this case your article came as a savior for me
vivian xie vivian xie
sales representative at Quality LED CO.,LTD sales representative at Quality LED CO.,LTD
I completey agree to Number 2 - Don't multi-task, which simplies and speeds our work I completey agree to Number 2 - Don't multi-task, which simplies and speeds our work
Cristina Saez Villanueva Cristina Saez Villanueva
International Business and Marketing International Business and Marketing
Yes, I also agree in #2! Maybe when you have lots of things to do you see so little time to Yes, I also agree in #2! Maybe when you have lots of things to do you see so little time to
finish it all, but really, if you go one task after another, you perform much better and less finish it all, but really, if you go one task after another, you perform much better and less
stressed! stressed!
Shirl Kennedy Wippich Shirl Kennedy Wippich
The list is comprehensive and full of common sense. However, the challenge is getting The list is comprehensive and full of common sense. However, the challenge is getting
everyone on the same page. I cannot recount the number of times meetings are scheduled at everyone on the same page. I cannot recount the number of times meetings are scheduled at
the last moment or urgent communications are sent without any real person-to-person the last moment or urgent communications are sent without any real person-to-person
interaction and an immediate response or participation is expected. interaction and an immediate response or participation is expected.
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G Manikandan G Manikandan
Head Improvements at General Optics Asia Ltd Head Improvements at General Optics Asia Ltd
As usual, another excellent article from Bernard Marr. Simple, known, Effective, but not As usual, another excellent article from Bernard Marr. Simple, known, Effective, but not
followed facts. My sincere thanks to Bearnard Marr for this article. It reminds us to follow those followed facts. My sincere thanks to Bearnard Marr for this article. It reminds us to follow those
which we can easily. which we can easily.
Henry Nuckols Henry Nuckols
Real Estate Development Project Manager | Retail | Healthcare | Commercial | Residential Real Estate Development Project Manager | Retail | Healthcare | Commercial | Residential
Great advice from Great advice from Bernard Marr Bernard Marr! A worthwhile read to improve overall efficiency in your day! ! A worthwhile read to improve overall efficiency in your day!
Keep the good stuff coming! Keep the good stuff coming!
Balasubramaniam M Balasubramaniam M
Talent Acquisition,Staffing & Resourcing Leader | Global Recruitment Head | CXO Hiring Talent Acquisition,Staffing & Resourcing Leader | Global Recruitment Head | CXO Hiring
| Executive Search | Executive Search
Great article. You hit the nail with "Define your MITs"...I am sure that would eliminate most of Great article. You hit the nail with "Define your MITs"...I am sure that would eliminate most of
the problems... the problems...
Chandra Shekar Chandra Shekar
A Senior Business Leader currently on sabbatical A Senior Business Leader currently on sabbatical
Hi Hi Bernard Marr Bernard Marr, great article...thank you for reiterating the most obvious - but most often , great article...thank you for reiterating the most obvious - but most often
forgotten! Only thing I would think differently is the point around multi-tasking. We live in a forgotten! Only thing I would think differently is the point around multi-tasking. We live in a
complex world and multi-tasking is but inevitable. Not all of us may have the luxury of doing complex world and multi-tasking is but inevitable. Not all of us may have the luxury of doing
one thing at a time. But if we follow the other 9 points called out by you especially point 8 one thing at a time. But if we follow the other 9 points called out by you especially point 8
(Eliminate, automate, delegate), one can effectively multi-task. (Eliminate, automate, delegate), one can effectively multi-task.
Maxine Simpson Maxine Simpson
Information Technology Professional Information Technology Professional
I adhere to several of your suggestions, Bernard. I adhere to several of your suggestions, Bernard. I especially agree with number six because I especially agree with number six because
long term value and improvements result from that kind of focus. long term value and improvements result from that kind of focus. Thanks! Thanks!
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