5 Ways To Get More Done By Not Doing
Posted April 29, 2009 in How-To, Productivity
Freelancers and web workers are always searching for ways to become more productive. What works for one person may not work for everyone else, so it’s a constant struggle to find productivity tips that fit with your personality.
That’s where this article might just come in handy. It seems like the topic of productivity is always associated with doing something, so to break that monotony of becoming productive by doing things, let’s take a look at some of the things that can help you get more done by actually eliminating stuff to do.
Most people call it the elimination approach, but I refer to it as “the ditching approach.” Let’s go ahead and see how we can get more done by not doing stuff.
Ditch The Computer
I understand that ditching the computer altogether is not a solution when it comes to getting things done. I am sure all of us are pretty much crippled without a computer as far as work is concerned. Well, how about ditching a computer for one day? If that sounds too much, how about ditching it for a couple hours? When I say ditch your computer, I don’t mean during meal time or during your bathroom break (unless you take it everywhere you go). Try giving up using your computer during work time.
For example, if you are thinking of writing a blog post or creating a proposal for your client, instead of using the computer for that task, go ahead and grab a pen and paper. Enjoy the scenery outside or simply turn the TV on and start doodling, meaningfully of course. You can later organize that information on the computer. A Moleskine notebook and pen can sometimes prove mighty powerful compared to a computer, and let’s not even speak of the distractions that surrounds the social web. Give it a try and ditch the computer at least one to two hours each day, every week.
Ditch The Office
Whether you work from home office or rent a space for work, it is necessary to take the work somewhere other than your designated spot. Us web workers are known to pick Starbucks as our choice of “ditching the office.” However, I usually choose to sit by a lake and brainstorm at times. Taking your work outside into the open rather than always being confined to a designated spot can have a big effect.
I live about a five minute walk from a lake and tend to take my work to the lakeside quite often. The wind, nature and looking at the lake is quite inspiring. Although it might not be possible to ditch the office everyday, try and give nature a chance every so often. Whether you grab a pen and a paper or take your laptop with you, nature can provide an immense boost when it comes to productivity.
Ditch a Weekday
Yes, I said it. For some reason freelancers think they have to work eight days a week (there is only seven!?). I tend to take Saturdays off and then usually end up working on Sunday. However, I choose one weekday as an off day to reward myself. What’s the reward for? I work from home and I look at it as an achievement and a privilege. To enjoy this privilege I usually take one weekday off each week. Usually that weekday turns into a steak and a beer day (I live in Minnesota, so warm weather usually calls out for some grilling).
If you are a web worker/freelancer, enjoy this freedom of being able to work whenever you want. Plan your week ahead of time, set one weekday as an off day and enjoy it to its fullest while others are cramping up in their cubicle. After all, a weekday off might just give you the boost and motivation that you require the next day to kick your productivity in full gear.
Ditch Email, Instant Messaging, Social Media, Etc.
In my last post I had mentioned a few firefox plugins for social media addicts. Digg, Reddit, Twitter and Instant Messaging tend to take quite a bit of my “work time.” At one point in my career, this addiction seriously started to create problems. That is when I decided to go offline for couple hours (sometimes an entire day). This has helped me tremendously. If a client needs to get hold of me, they have my number and I am easily accessible via phone. My participation on social media can wait a day in order for me to get my work done. If you are active in social media and think not being able to participate one day or couple hours each day will effect your influence or exposure, then there is definitely something you are doing wrong.
Go ahead and take your work offline for a couple hours each day. Although you are not ditching the computer, you will be ditching the usual source that takes quite a bit of your productive time.
Ditch What Others Say (sometimes)
And finally, last but not the least — try ignoring what others say. All the points mentioned above are something that I personally do to keep my productivity level high. My ditching habits are a great productivity booster for me but it definitely doesn’t mean it will work for you. Productivity can be boosted by using “the ditching principle”, but you are the only one that can make the final call as to whether or not it works well for you. So before you go and create any new habits, make sure you think about them carefully and give it a test drive first.
What Else Can You Ditch?
Give us a few pointers on what else can be ditched to take freelancing productivity to the next level.
(ditching the comments on a blog post for productivity reasons is not advised)
Related posts:
- 5 Essential Ways To Turbo-Charge Your Productivity
- 5 Easy Ways to Start a Productive Day
- 3 Ways To Keep Blogging From Killing Your Business
About the author: Ritu is a freelance writer who has been involved in social media for several years. At the moment he is working on a variety of projects, but is always open to new ideas. Contact him at email(at)ritubpant(dot)com or follow @ritubpant on twitter.
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20 Comments
Writer Dad
April 29th, 2009 at 6:52 pmEvery Wednesday afternoon I leave the desk, leave the house, and spend the rest of the day with my children. My mind opens with a giant sigh and I’m a revved engine early the next morning. Works like a charm.
Christopher Ross
April 29th, 2009 at 7:55 pmLately I’ve been doing the unthinkable … I leave my MacBook at the office and take the dog for a walk. I know, it’s crazy talk right? But you’d be amazed how much it helps me clear my head and come back refreshed (plus I don’t think the exercise is hurting).
alrady40
April 29th, 2009 at 10:37 pmThis latest project on my website has made me realise how much time is WASTED . It is hard to recoop enegy and the more you DO the MORE there is left to do. The tyranny of the urgent, often takes over in real life, so I get away from keyboard at times. Just would like to be able to breakaway even more.
Shamelle- TheEnhanceLife
April 29th, 2009 at 11:27 pmI have tried this myself. Initially, it was very difficult to step away …. I kept thinking about the work I had to do etc but then… sometimes, you just have to let go….. even if for a while….
Sarah Turner
April 30th, 2009 at 5:36 amThis week I discovered that I could turn off the alert on Tweetdeck. Didn’t realise how much it interrupted me until I didn’t have it! If I’m really busy I turn off the email as well, stick on the headphones and listen to classical music.
Pamela Toler
April 30th, 2009 at 8:58 amGreat timing for this post. I’ve been running really hard for, well, months. Today I have no immediate deadlines, there’s a soft rain, and I’ve been dreaming of sitting on the sun porch with a pile of books and my notebook. I’m gonna’ go for it!
John Soares
April 30th, 2009 at 9:06 amI think it’s important to take at least one day off per week. Sometimes for me it’s just the afternoon and evening, such as yesterday when my girlfriend and I climbed to Castle Dome in far northern California.
I look at what distracts me from work and what I can do to minimize those distractions. Social networking and e-mails are high on the list. I limit myself to doing this only a couple of times per day.
Tyler Hayes
April 30th, 2009 at 10:38 amJust wanted to say I thought this was a cool, great post :)
Ritu
April 30th, 2009 at 11:14 amThank you all for sharing your tips on being productive by not doing things. I think sometimes we just need to learn to let it go in a way so we can revive later again.
Catherine Cantieri, Sorted
April 30th, 2009 at 1:06 pmI really like the ideas in this post. I’ll often start a blog post, article or paper by sketching out an outline on scratch paper in pencil; big projects get a few pages in a giant sketchbook with multicolored markers. :) And now that the weather’s nice, I plan to ditch my home office for a little bench in our garden—at least until the heat of summer gets too obnoxious.
Nicole Foster
April 30th, 2009 at 6:15 pmGreat post and one freelancers should listen to. I believe the greatest thing for a freelancer is to get away from the desk at least once a week. For me, I visit my boyfriend frequently and spend quality time with him while getting away.
Hans Na
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:09 pmGreat post for me. Thank you!
Dr Wright
May 4th, 2009 at 7:03 amI agree! Ditch it! We all need a break sometimes!
Bhuwan
May 5th, 2009 at 6:58 amwell for me its everyday ……… cant live without a break ….. i everyday go for step aerobics classes in my neighborhood gym……. and i cant live without it ….. and also cant afford not to go as well …….. as i am the aerobics instructor ….. :-)
Steve Atkinson
May 5th, 2009 at 12:34 pmI tend to think that it’s best to take a break whenever you reach that point that things aren’t coming naturally.
Take a break:
If you are tired. After the break it seems as if things are accomplished twice as fast.
If you hit a wall. To some it could be called writer’s block. Take a break and come back to it.
To do email. Many of us sit with the email on all the time and when a new message comes in we need to check it out right this minute. Schedule email breaks.
When something comes to you. This means that if something comes to you take a break from taking a break.
Andreas Karlsson
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:12 pmGreat reminder, thanks!
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