The First Step to Better Productivity

I’m a big believer in routines. I believe the more tasks you can put on auto pilot, the more energy and creative power you reserve for the hard stuff.

This is evidenced in a big way through automation.  Anyone trying to run a business as efficiently as possible will look for ways to automate routine, repetitive tasks by processes, systems and/or technology. This helps ensure not only that the operation runs smoothly and profitably, but that the most valuable (and expensive) resources – human resources – are reserved for the tasks only they are uniquely qualified to do.

This practice is so powerful, in fact, that it has transformed the world economy and civilizations.(See how amazed those factory tour girls are?) It has moved us from the agrarian age to the industrial age to the information age with widespread and profound implications. At Vmeals, we have applied this concept to the meal order process so that we can manage a high volume of orders with an infinite number of variables with remarkable efficiency and accuracy.

So what does that have to do with you, dear reader, sitting in front of your computer? Well, I hope it illustrates how useful this practice might be to you as you look for ways to become more productive in your life and work. Think about the things you have to do regularly – daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Designate a specific time and order to these tasks and stick to it. You would be amazed how this small practice can improve the quality of your day.

For those who are born organized, this is a no-brainer. For those of us who are, um, let’s say - a little more free-wheeling, this practice requires a little discipline to get started. I recommend recording your routines in some way. I love my hi-tech gadgets, but I admit that I’m still a fan of pen and paper. I’ve even printed my daily/weekly/monthly routines, slipped them into a plastic sheet protector, hung it next to my desk, and checked off each item everyday with a dry-erase marker. (My brain requires the visual and tactile clues to help me process.) There are of course, countless other ways you could accomplish the same thing.

What’s important is that you have your routine. You may refer to your list in the beginning to help you until this routine becomes natural and automatic. After a while, you may not need to look at it at all. If you are easily distracted or it’s just one of those days when the you-know-what hits the fan, your list can also serve as a touchstone to bring order back into your day.

Do you have routines? How do you manage yours - notebook, post-its, virtual lists? We'd love for you to share your tips here, too.