8 Ways to Get More Productive Starting Now

I know, you’re busy, very busy, and perhaps even stressed. As a HECM professional you have quite a bit to juggle: inbound calls, outbound sales calls, applications to review, proposals to send, Zoom meetings, etc. As the demands increase in our time we have two choices; prepare with efficiency or accept that you’ll miss potential opportunities.

Here are just a few ways each of us can become more highly organized and position ourselves for success in the coming months.

1- Get your email in order. We’ve covered some great ways to fully manage and get control of your email. One is Inbox Zero which was developed by productivity guru Merlin Mann. Basically you decide immediately whether to delete, delegate (forward), do it, or defer it to a later date. Some simple folders in your email program will make a world of difference.

2- Paperwork Zen Master. Nothing stresses out professionals like stacks of unfinished business on their desks. Here’s how to use the 43 folders system. (older video)

3- Media Blackout. Social media that is. Schedule times during the day at which you will check your social media accounts such as Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Also, turn off social media notifications on your phone and desktop computer. Each distraction will add up to minutes and hours lost during the day.

4- Use the phone. The appearance of email ‘conversations’ is a mere illusion. The longer the email chain the more irritated I become. If you notice a notable long email chain suggest a short group conference call. If you have a detailed message perhaps just picking up the phone would save you and the recipient considerable time. Phone calls allow both parties to pick up on the tone of the conversation which is often lost in written communications.

5- Check and process your mail. Each day check your snail mail (remember the post office?) and immediately trash, save or file for action at a later date.

6- Plan a day ahead. Productive professionals have a habit of planning out the next day before they leave the office. Take a moment and look at your inbox, your 43 folder files, and emails, and then time block what needs to be accomplished in addition to any meetings already scheduled. You will be less distracted when you get home.  Your family will thank you.

7- Be judgmental. Not in a negative sense but learn to judge quickly what is important, what can wait, and what does not deserve your time or attention. The quicker you learn to filter what is relevant the more time you will have to focus on building your business. 

8- Keep a time diary. It’s simple really. If you have a calendar with a lot of blank spots for today, no worries. Just note as a calendar event how you actually end up spending your time. I’ve done this for years and it helps me see where I am investing time and what I can discard.