On Being Productive

This morning I received a tweet with the following tongue-in-cheek message:

“Today, I'm going to give it my some.”

I laughed when I read it. Then I thought about it.

Question: How many days per week do I really bring everything I have to my work?

Answer: Clearly not every day.

Tools to Help Me Bring My All:

There are three simple tools I use to help me remain focused, present and engaged all day:

1. To Do Lists
2. Accountability
3. Time Blocking

To Do Lists: I review my objectives for the next week each Saturday morning. I want to make sure I list all my priorities. Included on my lists are the items that I agreed to do when I have my monthly Scorecard calls with my Partner MGAs.

Accountability: Once per week I have a call with my Teammates to make sure they know what I am working on as well as to learn what they need me to do. These items are included in my To Do list along with the deadlines. My associates keep me on task and remind me of responsibilities I have yet to complete. I also have a call with my boss every two weeks and present my priorities and review the work I have completed since our last call. Again, I am called upon to report on the progress I have made. Lastly, on each Scorecard Call with my Partner MGAs I am expected to provide an update on what I said I would do.

Time Blocking: My days are structured with times to have calls, to return emails, to create, to read and to prepare. These activities get thrown off when I travel and it is sometimes difficult to regain their structure when I get back off the road, but they play an important role in keeping me focused.

So, I have shared the challenges I face in keeping my head in the game and also the tools I deploy to help me stay focused. What challenges do you face? How can you improve your ability to bring your all into your work and be 100% present in all your days?