3 Things to Track for a Most Productive Day

In my next book, I write about the significance of tracking. Are you aware of what you do during the day, so you can do it more effectively/efficiently? There are three things I recommend you track during your day.

Written May 24, 2011, read 3792 times since then.

There are three things I would recommend you start tracking during your workday. Start by picking just one of these, for the next week. At the end of 5 days (yes, another Five Day Experiment!) you can Identify any areas that need more (or less) attention.

1. Interruptions
2. Daily Goal/Focus Area
3. What went well?

1. Interruptions

I remember seeing a USA Today survey chart that showed just how many times Knowledge Workers are interrupted each day: over 100. I also have read that in a 24 hour period, we might have 20 or even 30 THOUSAND thoughts go through (in, over, out, on…) our mind. Just imagine trying to get things done if what you’re really doing is managing interruptions – from both the outside AND the inside! For the next five days, keep a running tally of the TOPICS that interrupt you. (Yes, the topics…not the people.)

At the end of a week, you’ll be able to see the top 5-10 areas/topics/things that interrupt you the most. When you have that information, you can begin to make subtle, but significant, changes. One client I worked with realized she was typing (or searching through her sent items to find a recent copy) the same couple of paragraphs to multiple people. Since she could, we made a new signature in her email system that she could use to respond when that specific query comes in.

2. Daily Goal/Focus Area

For this one to work, I’d suggest starting off with a blank piece of paper, a pen you like to write with, and 35-45 extra minutes during an evening or a weekend. On the top of the paper, write: “My MITs” (MITs stands for: Most Important Things) These are not to dos, they are not projects, they’re not goals. They ARE your Most Important Things, personally and professionally. Most of the people I get to work with have 10-30 of these that they come up with. What shows up on your list?

Now, at the beginning of each day, pause, look over the list, and pick 2 or 3 (I like that small number, I can usually win!) and write them down, add them to your online calendar, email them to yourself, somehow choose what the two are and put a reminder of them where you can see them later on. I like to choose 2…maybe three. So, for example today my two were: The Book and Health. I woke up early this morning to get to the gym, and have been working on the book for a good 4 hours today. I even built up this webinar – for tomorrow – so that I could spend a LITTLE MORE time tonight thinking about the chapter I’m writing. Does that make sense?

3. What went well?

Too many times, we end a day and look back only to remember more about what did not get done, than what did get accomplished. (The reason is this is called the Zeigarnik effect, something I talk about in seminars and coaching.) Here’s something to track over the next work-week: “What happened today that I’m proud of, excited by, or enthused about?” Chances are you’ll be able to come up with at least a few things over the period of 12-18 hours that you indeed DID do well.

Now it’s your turn! What would YOU suggest I track next? Please leave a comment below...

Learn more about the author, Jason Womack.

Posted by Jo Banner, Vacherie, Louisiana | May 26, 2011

I struggle with this constantly. I will try some of these strategies especially the last one!
Posted by Linda Seltzer, Redmond, Washington | May 26, 2011

The things that waste the most time for me are cleaning, laundry, cooking and dishes. I do not have a dishwasher here. The washer and dryer are small, so they can only take a little at a time. In a small place everything has to be picked up and put away right away. During better economic times I always ate out; that is not possible any more and I have to prepare nutritious meals from scratch. Sometimes the dishes and laundry make me want to scream.
Posted by Karen Mathieson, Portland, Oregon | May 27, 2011

Thank you for this "timely" reminder, Jason. I appreciate your positive approach, and like you am a big fan of thinking through things with pen and paper. The language and "tool use" sections of our brain grew up together, and the sheer manipulation (from a Latin word for "working by hand") of writing really gets those wired-together neurons firing!

~Karen
Posted by Susan French, Tarzana, California | May 31, 2011

This is great. Thank you. I was just sitting here browsing all my best sources and most untapped sources to generate business and I am completely and totally overwhelmed.

I'm a big 12-step participater and fan. Much of what I learned about being happy, stable, productive and productively interactive, and how spirituality fits in my life, I learned in various 12-step groups. Whatever your opinions about 12-step might be, it was a great learning and centering tool for me.

I mention this because the most valueable idea you presented is the idea of picking a goal for a day. One day at a time was and is a huge guideline for me. I get scattered and overwhelmed easily.

This was a great reminder that the best way to stay centered and productive is to live One Day at a Time. Your goal-for-today is super. Thanks.

Susan French http://www.hypno4success.com
Posted by Sharon Gray, Seattle, Washington | Jun 02, 2011

I like the way you think, Jason! :)

I already make "what went well" a regular part of my day- in fact my partner and I start every dinner with this question! I also have my own version of the goal list that I make sure is not confused with my "to-do" list. These simple tools have been instrumental in my personal and professional growth.

Distractions, on the other hand... THIS is where I will focus this week, as it is a constant practice for me. But then again, it was a "distraction" that lead me to this helpful article! :)

Thank you so much for the practical and reasonable suggestions, Jason, and I look forward to hearing more in your next book!

Kindly, Sharon
Posted by Nancy Grant, Bellingham, Washington | Jun 03, 2011

Great advice Jason. I see productivity as a top issue for many of the business owners and independents professionals I work with. I'm also a believer in tracking and see some nice twists to what I already do. I appreciate the reminder to reflect on what went well. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Posted by Jed Share, Seattle, Washington | Jun 03, 2011

Great stuff Jason. I'll get right to work on these 3! Thanks for the post.
Posted by Elizabeth Dyer, Blairsville, Georgia | Jun 03, 2011

I have found I do well with last 2. I keep my calendar with me and I know my main priorities of the day - personal as well as professional. I always make myself look at what went well for the day before I think about what went wrong.

My biggest problem is and has been interruptions - telephone, email chimes and well, with 6 kids in the house I am always hearing "momma"....I hope to solve that this summer by moving my office out of the home. That way, I have time at home and time at work and everyone in the house won't be confusing the two. It should make for more quality time in both.
Posted by Liyya Mohammed Hassanali, Ocoee, Florida | Jun 03, 2011

Very helpful post - it really puts things in perspective, very straightforward!

I love the part towards the end where you discuss how we look back and analyze all the things we DID NOT get done or accomplished - it's time we all start focusing on the positives and what we did get done that day as oppose to trying to be superhuman and do too much in a single day!

Great tips, thanks Jason! :)
Posted by Lisa J. Jackson, Nashua, New Hampshire | Jun 03, 2011

Thanks for the article - the point about tracking topics that interrupt is a good one. I don't have people interruptions so much as my thoughts running off on tangents that make me lose focus.

I've been doing something similar to the 'what went well' list - it's called the '5 things to celebrate' list. Same idea, but it's great to focus on the accomplishments of the day no matter what they are called.

Great pointers. :)

Lisa J. Jackson