50 Ways to Get More Done by Paula Rizzo

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50 Ways to Get More DoneBy Paula Rizzo

50 Ways to Get More Done

I get it. In the blink of an eye you think, “what happened to the day?” We all get distracted. But sometimes it can get so bad that we are completely thrown off our game and never get anything done. Whether you work in an office, are an entrepreneur or just

trying to check off your to-do list on the weekends -- there is a better way to do it.

I’ve put together some of my favorite tips and tricks from over the years. I’ve been sharing my secrets on list making, efficiency, time manage-ment and productivity on ListProducer.com to help you get your life back. Wouldn’t it be nice to get to that book you’ve been wanting to read, meet your friend’s new baby or even just take a nap? Yep - this list will help you get there.

1. Stop answering your phone.Seriously. Stop doing it. Only answer when the person on the other line has an appointment to talk to you at that time.

2. Be stingy with your time.When you try to make a dentist appointment and there are only openings at 8:30am or 7pm, you are forced to choose what might be non-ideal times. But you want the service so you make it work. People will do the same for your time if you make it scarce.

3. Batch similar activities together and do them all at once. For example: save bills and pay them all at one time instead of dealing with them piece meal. Schedule phone calls around the same time so you get into the groove and get them over with simultaneously.

4. Make lists in the same placeso you won’t lose them. I keep my work list in my desk drawer.

5. Keep your cellphone and keys in the exact same place every single day and make sure you always put them back there. It will become a habit you will love when you don’t waste 15 minutes yelling, “HAVE YOU SEEN MY KEYS?!”

6. Make your to-do list the night before so you can really think everything through. That way when you get to work in the morning you can hit the ground running with your roadmap.

7. Plan out what you’ll be making for dinner each night of the week. I usually do this on Saturdays and look at my calendar to figure out what I have going on each day. This will help when you’re grocery shopping, and will keep you organized throughout the week.

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50 Ways to Get More DoneBy Paula Rizzo

8. When you buy a new outfit - donate something that you no longer wear. This will clear up space and clutter so you won’t be slowed down in the morning.

9. If you’re having trouble concentrating - listen to music for 15 minutes. Studies show that listening to the tunes of your choice will get you back on track and make you more productive.

10. Outsourcing will set you free.

11. Figure out the shortest route to work and make sure to stick with it. Commuting can be wasted time if you don’t make the most of it.

12. Think about what you could get done while you commute. Some people like to listen to books on tape, instructional podcasts or make phone calls to catch up with loved ones. You can also listen to me narrate posts from ListProducer.com on the Umano app!

13. Set limitson how long you can spend deliberating on a decision. You’ll be glad you did.

14. Automate your life whenever possible. Amazon.com and Soap.com have a subscription package which allows you to ship frequently purchased items automatically.

15. Use outsourcing apps to do more. Use virtual assistant apps like FancyHands or Task-Rabbit and get other people to make decisions for you like finding a restaurant or booking a flight.

16. Multitasking kills your productivity. Don’t do it.

17. Set time limitsfor how long you’re going to work on a project and then give yourself a reward when you stick to it.

18. Reevaluate your to-do list.If it’s getting too long or too messy -- just rewrite it. You’ll feel better.

19. Sometimes you have to know when it’s time to take that recurring item off your to-do list. Give yourself permission to say “I’m never going to do this, and that’s OK.”

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50 Ways to Get More DoneBy Paula Rizzo

20. Meetings are much more manageable with an agenda. Make a list of your intentions for the meeting and share it with the group. Make sure everyone is prepared and use a site like Do.com to keep track of all your notes.

21. Set time limits for each item in a meeting. That way everyone will know just how much time will be devoted to each topic.

22. Keep a list for each of your friends, family members and loved ones on paper or in Evernote. Whenever you think of something you need to tell that person the next time you see him or her, write it on the list.

23. Keep a running list of birthdays and suggestions for gifts. (I even keep a list of gifts I want too -- just in case someone asks!)

24. Use calendar reminders often it will make you a better friend. Remind yourself to wish your friend luck on a test or say “Happy Birthday!”

25. Spend time with your pets. Studies show cute animals trigger our care-giving impulses, which improves work performance.

26. Take 10 minutes to research someone before you meet them. A little bit of information can make a big difference.

27. Start your holiday shopping in August. It gives you the chance to relax over the holiday season. Plus you’ll feel super smug when Decem-ber rolls around and you’ve got everything done.

28. Use your technology to it’s fullest potential.Keep up with all the features on your smartphone so you’ll know how it can make your life easier. That’s what it’s there for!

29. Take a shower. The falling water releases negative ions which generate clearer thinking and more energy.

30. Set aside some time to be alone with your thoughts.You need to be OK with yourself before you can help anybody else.

31. Keep your desk clean. Studies show clutter makes you more anxious and less focused.

32. Don’t be afraid to take a break. Going for a walk around a local park or even just around the block can help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

33. Set aside time for your friends. They make you happy, provide positive encouragement and hold you accountable to reach your goals.

34. Stand tall. Standing in a posture of confidence makes you feel more in command of a situation.

35. Wash dishes while you cook. You’ll spend less time standing over the sink and instead have more time to linger over a glass of wine or dessert.

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50 Ways to Get More DoneBy Paula Rizzo

36. Wake up early. A lot of successful people wake up an hour earlier than they need to. Because if you do things in the morning, before work, there’s a higher chance you’ll actually get those things done.

37. Learn the difference between important and urgent. Just because something seems like it needs to be done imminently doesn’t mean it’s important.

38. Sometimes it’s best to sleep on it. Your subconscious is always problem solving, even while you’re sleeping. Plus a new day brings a new perspective on your problems.

39. Write down every single idea you have, no matter how big or small.

40. Embrace order. Putting a system in place, even a simple one, can help projects move forward quickly and free up some of your time.

41. Schedule important tasks earlier in the week. This way you’re not cramming everything in at the last minute and you have time to follow up on tasks when necessary.

42. If you want to be more punctual it’s time to stop saying “Just one more thing”. Starting “just one” new task as you’re getting ready to leave for an appointment is disruptive to your schedule and often takes over your initial goal of leaving on time.

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50 Ways to Get More DoneBy Paula Rizzo

43. Know when to bow out gracefully. If you’re trapped in a conversation with a chatty co-worker and you want to make a quick exit, try telling them, “It’s nice talking to you, but I have to talk to so-and-so before they leave.”

44. Don’t stop when you’re on a roll. Regaining your focus after an interruption can take up to 20 minutes.

45. Be aware of how much time you spend on tasks. ‘Just five minutes’ is usually more like fifteen. Use RescueTime.com to track how much time you spend on tasks.

46. In the morning, spend a few minutes to focus your mind and listen in. You will discover ideas inside of you that will help you find success throughout your workday.

47. Eat more dark chocolate. According to businessinsider.com it has a natural stimulant, similar to caffeine, which strengthens concentration.

48. Next time you paint your walls, consider going for blue.Moredays.com says it stimulates a high work per-formance, which can keep you plugging along for long periods of time. Blue also provides a calming effect, which helps to improve the mind.

49. Cut down on decision making. Keep a list of go-to restaurants for business lunches in several areas. That way you can just suggest your favorite and cut down on the back and forth.

50. Use shortcuts to be more efficient with email. “EOM” stands for “end of message” and is meant to go into short subject lines. This way you don’t waste your time writing a whole email message for something that can just be stated in a few words.

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50 Ways to Get More DoneBy Paula Rizzo

I hope you enjoyed “50 Ways to Get More Done” and that it sets you up for a more productive life at home, at work and at play!

For even more ways to save time and get organized -- check out my blog ListProducer.com.

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About Paula Rizzo

Paula Rizzo is a senior television pro-ducer in New York City and founder of

ListProducer.com. She’s an Emmy Award winner and attributes much of her success to her compulsive list making. She makes lists for everything she does and started ListProducer.com to help others become more organized, focused and efficient, while being less stressed. Her first book, Listful Thinking: Using Lists to be More Pro-ductive, Highly Successful and Less Stressed

was published in January 2015.