In this day and age of omnipresent technology, there are still a few analog options one can choose over digital ones to improve day to day efficiency.
The following are 3 low tech features that I prefer to their digital counterparts to stay more productive (and sane!)
A To-Do List Book:
In spite of a gazillion organizing apps out there, I find a simple notebook works a lot smarter and in a more efficient manner, in getting through the endless tasks of each day/week/month. Scribbling to-do lists on scraps of paper is the other end of the spectrum, being only a touch worse than keeping stuff in your memory bank.
I start each month with one entire page dedicated to the goals for the month. The next page onwards begins my to-do lists for each day. I take it day by day rather than week by week. The beauty of this system is that you get a long-shot view of the tasks already accomplished and those not yet done. Also, week by week planning is, by default, visually built-in. Didn’t get the chance to make that phone call today? No sweat, do it tomorrow. Small chance of forgetting, since it’s right there on paper. So long as you have the visual of the list in front of you, you can prioritize and get around to completing your tasks, hence improving your orderliness. With to-do lists on random scraps of paper, out of sight is out of mind.
A Mechanical Timer:
Ever since I substituted the timer on my iPhone with a mechanical one, my productivity soared. Like most folks, I would use the timer on my mobile, but here’s the kicker – each time I reached for the cell to turn the timer off at the end of the cycle, there’s sure to be a tantalizing distraction – a text, a status update, breaking news. Turning notifications off was of little help.
A simple low tech object like a mechanical timer proved to be a boon. When the timer goes off – and this is important – it automatically shuts off. Thus, I am not required to put the brakes on the current task I am preoccupied with, to go turn off the timer. It sounds simple enough but not having to stop and go, has a huge cumulative effect on one’s work. Even as I write this, I can hear my timer ticking away. My little timer has had a mega impact on my time management skills, letting me stay laser-focused and has enhanced my productivity to an unbelievable level.
At-A-Glance Yearly Wall Calendar:
This is the best long term scheduling tool to boot. While I still use the calendar app on my iPhone, it has not replaced my beloved wall calendar, especially the 12 months at-a-glance kind. There’s something to be said about the birds-eye view feature of such a calendar, where you know what your day/weekend looks like, say 4 months down the road.
As an exception, I do use the calendar function on my cell when away from my wall calendar, to prevent double-booking an appointment. Then at the earliest opportunity make that entry on my wall calendar.
Another advantage of this method is the whole family can use it as a common resource for scheduling appointments or social activities, without the chaos of over-commitment.
A 12-month at-a-glance calendar rocks, there is simply no substitute.
Finally:
There goes my timer, so here’s the bottom line. I just shared my trifecta of analog tools to dial down, sift through’ routine tasks and get way more done, on a day to day basis. It has, without a doubt, boosted my productivity.
Go on, give it a shot for a week. It just may end up being your most productive one!
