Keeping Productive

If you're struggling with productivity, it can be tempting to start changing your routine or trying new solutions before you uncover the real problem. I've definitely done this in the past, and found it never leads to a long-term solution. The first step in becoming more productive is working out what your regular time-sucks are. To start with, track what you do every morning to get ready for work. You might find that you're spending time on things like choosing your clothes for the day, which could be done the night before. Then track how you spend your time during the day and look for patterns -- a tool like RescueTime can help. Perhaps you'll find that you're getting caught up on Facebook too often or making sure that web development project is utterly perfect. If you're aiming to get out of the office around 5 p.m., you might set up a dinner date, a quick after-work drink with a friend or a family visit. External forces can sometimes be the motivation you need to get things done within the time you have, rather than letting them drag out.