3 Strategies to Positively Turbocharge Your Productivity

What one word describes what these three scenarios share:
Many states have passed a “no texting while driving” law.
The gallery is quiet while a golfer putts.
You are overwhelmed at work.

So what’s your one word? Mine is…

…focus.

Texting diverts your attention from driving and you wreck.
Noise distracts a golfer’s attention.
You try to do everything at once and do a small portion of it well.

So how do you improve your focus with greater productivity so you get out of the office earlier?

Here are 3 Strategies to Positively Turbocharge Your Productivity:

Put your smartphone in the desk drawer.
A regional account manager for a major beverage distributor described a recent training session which began with their leader asking them to pick up an empty, wallet-sized box with lid from the table at the rear of the room and return to their places. He then requested that they cut off their smartphones, place them in the box, and put them on the table. “Yes,” he said, “what we’re talking about today is that important.”

The leader knew what you know intuitively—your smartphone is “productivitas interruptus” of the highest order. On average, users pay attention to their smartphone about 150 times per workday. It takes you at least 10, some studies suggest 20, minutes to return to your previous task.

Schedule 3 times per workday to consult your smartphone while working at your desk on a project. For all other times, leave it in your desk with the ringer turned down but not on silent mode which makes it buzz in your drawer.

You finish faster and more accurately than currently…and yes, that text, update or tweet will wait.

Focus on the task.

Lean forward and look the person in the eye.
Ever play the game of wandering eyes across the desk? The one where the person with whom you’re allegedly talking has eyes that wander to the computer monitor, to the caller id, out the door and window?

How much are you listened to?

Instead, close the door. Put the phone on DND. Turn the monitor to the wall.

Lean forward. Look the person in the eye. Deeply listen. Feedback with, “What I hear you saying is…”

You’ll get more done, faster, and more accurately than “wandering eyes.”

Focus on the person.

Play positive music.
Your brain responds to music in amazing ways.

Mindlin, Durousseau, and Cardillo wrote, “Your Playlist Can Change Your Life” about their discovery of 10 ways your favorite music can revolutionize many things including your productivity.

Listen to your playlist of positive music in the background or on headphones. Your mind achieves a laser-focus which rivets your productivity.

Focus with the music.

Improve your focus with greater productivity so you get out of the office earlier when you put your smartphone in the desk drawer, lean forward and look the person in the eye, and play positive music.