by Mahesh Ravi (HOD, Filmmaking and Photography, Wiztoonz Academy of Media & Design)
Tips to instantly increase your productivity.
1. The 30 Minute Rule
The Same ol’ 2 Minute Rule. Just customised it to 30 minutes considering the nature of my work. Any execution of a thought, an idea or Communication that can be done in the next 30 minutes, Do it right away!
2. Your smart phone is the smartest assistant you can ever have.
Use it! I don’t talk much on the phone and I do encourage people to text instead of calling as I would be able to know the matter right away and take an action based on it’s priority. Use apps like Swipes for daily task management and Trello for Project Tracking. If you have an iPhone, try Apple’s Workflow to automate routine actions with a single click. I use Daygram to quickly write a summary of the day before I go to bed every night. Its a good idea to have mobile versions of your day-to-day applications organised in folders for easy access. (For instance, I can do my entire photography post production workflow using my phone if I am on the road).
3. Keep your workspace neat
Keep your workspace clean and organised based on the task. I do spend sometime everyday to setup my space (occasionally based on some theme for fun).
4. Multi-tasking ain’t always a good thing.
I can’t talk on phone when I am simultaneously working on my laptop. Forget that, I cannot even listen to music when I work as I need a clean headspace to enjoy music. I learned it the hard way and now I don’t even try. Prioritize and try to focus at the task in hand. Always work around your flaws.
5. Fill your non-productive hours
with something useful. For Inst: You could listen to podcasts while working out, Catch up on your Youtube subscriptions while waiting for a flight, Read your flipboard feed while commute etc. Keep any passive entertainment like netflix binging, movie/music/reading to a time of the day when you feel less productive.
6. Take care of your mind & body
Make sure that your mind and body gets the exercise and rest it needs.
7. Involve in social activities
If you are socially awkward like me, make sure that you set at-least a couple of hours a week just for networking and social activities.
8. Never be a purist.
It won’t work today. Adapt, Evolve and Constantly overhaul!