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Adam Smith | February 22, 2012 | 24 Comments

Getting Things Done

Creative Commons Photo Credit by ilike

When a certain task takes a larger amount of concentration than usual and you can’t seem to get it done or it’s just taking longer than it should due to distractions, it may be time to change things up. Of course, if you don’t know what to change exactly, you can begin to experiment with things.

You may need to change your environment or even shut yourself off. I have found that the more I put myself around distractions, the more difficult it is for me to complete things. And even if I do complete them, it takes much longer than it should have in the first place. Your time is valuable.

With so much going on, even on your computer screen, sometimes you have to shut it down. Emails, twitter, facebook and the list goes on and on…

You gotta do what you gotta do to accomplish your goals, because I know that you have a lot of things that you need to get done.

And when you figure your thing out and achieve your job well done, then you can even reward yourself.

So, what is one thing that makes you more productive? You can leave a comment below.

Filed Under: organization

Adam Smith

I teach people how to have a greater impact through their work and their time. You can read more about me on my about page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jonathan Pearson says

    February 22, 2012 at 8:20 am

    Sounds like the typical ‘christian’ answer, but it’s definitely starting my day off with God time. Such a key in helping me recognize those unplug, slow down, build relationship times. (Oh, and my iPhone… that may contribute too though.).

    Reply
    • jackalopekid says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:59 pm

      Well if it works don’t mess with it. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jonathan Pearson says

    February 22, 2012 at 8:20 am

    Sounds like the typical ‘christian’ answer, but it’s definitely starting my day off with God time. Such a key in helping me recognize those unplug, slow down, build relationship times. (Oh, and my iPhone… that may contribute too though.).

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:59 pm

      Well if it works don’t mess with it. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Moe says

    February 22, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Multitasking is the cancer of productivity. I laugh at job positions that ask for, “great at multitasking” skills and people that claim they are great multitaskers. When you multitask, you are not giving 100% of your best to any task at hand. So in essense you are providing half value to your employer or yourself. 

    In this way, context plays a big part. Sit down and do email for X amount of time. But only email. When making phone calls, do only that. Schedule your day and give 100% to what’s needed. Your work will reveal the quality and you would stand out like a light in a dark tunnel. 

    Reply
    • jackalopekid says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:59 pm

      I like it man

      Reply
  4. Moe says

    February 22, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Multitasking is the cancer of productivity. I laugh at job positions that ask for, “great at multitasking” skills and people that claim they are great multitaskers. When you multitask, you are not giving 100% of your best to any task at hand. So in essense you are providing half value to your employer or yourself. 

    In this way, context plays a big part. Sit down and do email for X amount of time. But only email. When making phone calls, do only that. Schedule your day and give 100% to what’s needed. Your work will reveal the quality and you would stand out like a light in a dark tunnel. 

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:59 pm

      I like it man

      Reply
  5. Loren Pinilis says

    February 22, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    I think everyone has to learn their unique tendencies. For me, music helps sometimes. I also need to take breaks at regular intervals. And even prayer during the middle of my day gets me re-centered and juiced to go at it some more!

    Reply
    • jackalopekid says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      music is my thing too man!

      Reply
  6. Loren Pinilis says

    February 22, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    I think everyone has to learn their unique tendencies. For me, music helps sometimes. I also need to take breaks at regular intervals. And even prayer during the middle of my day gets me re-centered and juiced to go at it some more!

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      music is my thing too man!

      Reply
  7. bryankhill says

    February 22, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    It all depends on the situation for me Adam. There are times when I need it to be absolutely quiet, like when I am writing. Most times when I am working on something physically like cleaning, renovating or organizing, I need the space  I am working in to be filled with music, which I will usually sing along to…

    I know for most prayer plays a good part, I find myself rarely praying for myself, my time of intercession is usually spent on everyone else, this was brought to my attention in a recent small group study, and I am working on praying for myself on a more regular basis.

    Thanks for the great post that produced some more of that introspection that I suck at…

    Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    • jackalopekid says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks for being so awesome. Stuff to think about for sure!

      Reply
  8. Jason Vana says

    February 22, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I turn off my phone, close my email and sign out of all my social media sites to be more productive. I end up taking short breaks between tasks to check everything as kind of a reward for being productive.

    Reply
    • jackalopekid says

      March 1, 2012 at 6:00 pm

      great advice. that would keep you closer to 100% throughout day

      Reply
  9. bryankhill says

    February 22, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    It all depends on the situation for me Adam. There are times when I need it to be absolutely quiet, like when I am writing. Most times when I am working on something physically like cleaning, renovating or organizing, I need the space  I am working in to be filled with music, which I will usually sing along to…

    I know for most prayer plays a good part, I find myself rarely praying for myself, my time of intercession is usually spent on everyone else, this was brought to my attention in a recent small group study, and I am working on praying for myself on a more regular basis.

    Thanks for the great post that produced some more of that introspection that I suck at…

    Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks for being so awesome. Stuff to think about for sure!

      Reply
  10. Jason Vana says

    February 22, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I turn off my phone, close my email and sign out of all my social media sites to be more productive. I end up taking short breaks between tasks to check everything as kind of a reward for being productive.

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      March 1, 2012 at 6:00 pm

      great advice. that would keep you closer to 100% throughout day

      Reply
  11. ThatGuyKC says

    February 23, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Closing every unnecessary window on my computer. Shut down social media and put on headphones to listen to ambient/white noise tracks.

    Reply
    • jackalopekid says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      great advice

      Reply
  12. KC Procter says

    February 23, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Closing every unnecessary window on my computer. Shut down social media and put on headphones to listen to ambient/white noise tracks.

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      great advice

      Reply

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Hi, my name is Adam Smith and welcome to asmithblog.com. I am the author of the book, The Bravest You. Because of my work as an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and speaker, I have been named a top industry influencer by American Genius. I live with my wife, Jasmine, and three children in Shenandoah, IA.

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