Simple tasks that will help improve your productivity

The main reason I have not published my novels is due to procrastination – something that needs to be resolved. I have been doing some free online courses, and reading books to enthuse me into action and the information I have aquired, has served to facilitate the following:

Before, I would start a project which I would promptly abandon as soon as it became arduous

The remedy was to concentrate on one project at a time

Having scripted two novels, I found focusing on one at a time is better than editing them both together. It’s like going into an application online that you have not been on for a few months and you have forgotten the password. It takes time to create a new password, whereas if you use the same application daily, you would be familiar with the password. Note, I don’t let my computer save any passwords in case I get hacked.

An example of this:  was editing a chapter a week and finding it hard to remember what exactly had happened when I read it the previous week.

Before, I would let other issues get in my way, things that need sorting at home or work or there’s a good series on Netflix which I want to binge watch, and so on.

The remedy was to cut my work habits into short segments of time. 

Periods of an hour or two hours, ensuring you get a break after twenty-five minutes ‘The Pomodoro Technique.’ I say this as there are other jobs that need doing in life as well. Blocking out time in your diary is helpful and setting a timer off after twenty-five minutes also helps to inform you to have that five-minute break. I’ve seen the Pomodoro Technique mentioned in various places that this technique is proven to be more productive.

Before, I found there was so much to complete along side my novel and I often wondered what I should do first.

The remedy was to break down projects and list areas of priority.

I personally use a manual diary, as I find it simpler and more satisfying to write a list of items to be completed each day. Using an online diary such as Google calendars is recommended to do this, maybe I’ll give that a go. I Usually, give myself eight tasks a day. Simple and difficult ones, include: putting on the washing or more intense gardening. I have been writing the tasks adlib, but I am considering it would be better to give them time slots. Putting the washing on would be a fifteen-minute slot and gardening half an hour.

This is how my list works for me: Gardening will be first on the list as working in the garden is cooler in the summer if done early morning. Secondly, there is the important phone call an important phone call. This morning I had to ring to request I recieve money that should have been paid into my account. It was money I needed and therefore would place that as a priority of tasks to be accomplished. I then put on put some washing , did some financial research, washed the kitchen floor, edited my novel, did an online shop, finally writing this blog, saving the best till last.

Before I would find some projects I just didn’t want to do: they were too hard or downright boring.

 The remedy was to make tasks a novelty

There are a load of tasks that I know need doing. Things like, clearing old junk, weekly housework jobs, photos that need scanning and making them available online, a painting I have wanted to paint but not yet touched. One course I completed online suggested I take a box , write down all the jobs that need doing on seprate pieces of paper then fold them up before placing them in the box. One task should be drawn out every day and whatever task you pick you do. Each task should be timed at fifteen-minute intervals and you should use a timer to ensure you dont exceed that period. Some of these jobs are those I don’t really want to do but have now become a delight. It is like opening a present each day. This is one of my eight points every day and today my surprise job was to wash the kitchen floor.

Before I woould lack the knowledge to complete tasks, making me want abandom them.

The remedy was to deliberately join Classes

Before editing my novel, I completed a ten-dollar course online on how to edit and proofread. I also started the 30-day Blog Challenge. which I think I will learn a lot from. Many mistakes will be made, but you learn from your failures.

Joining groups like this is a must for procrastination. I commenced my first novel in 1997. The novel I am currently editing was completed in a lot less time – It took me the whole of November in 2019 due to me joining NaNoWriMo, a group of writers who aim to write 50.000 in the month of November. No way would the draft be written so quickly if it was not for this group.

By focusing on these ideas, I have managed to make a plan in 2021 to achieve goals and not procrastinate.

I wonder if you have any thing you have tried to make yourself more productive and what you think of my remedies. Please let me know in the comments.