Work at Home Productivity Tips –

by Jan Ferrante

I realized the other day, after having some seemingly easy success in keeping my house organized over the holidays… despite having everyone home and many of us sick through some of it… that it was due to 3 key factors. You can read about them here…

The 3 Keys to Cleaning House

I have known for a long time that the key to getting results lies in using systems and all that entails… consistency, routine, self discipline, delegation etc.

So I knew that if I looked closer, that I would find a universal principal to making a system work, and that I could apply to any goal.

This is what I found…

THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPAL TO SUCCESSFUL SYSTEMS

MACROMANAGEMENT – In my home system, this comes in the form of having a designated decluttering session every week. In my business, this would be something the same – a weekly decluttering system of things like my computer, email, files, office, papers etc. The main idea behind it is looking at the big picture, your systems as a whole, and the box we keep them in… keeping it all running smoothly by reducing distractions and waste.

MAINTENANCE In my home system, maintenance is done through what I call a daily BOOST Circuit – a simple system that I use to make sure that I do enough of the basics every day to keep things nice. In a home business, this would again be the same concept only substituting the tasks with things like return email, write in blog, post in forums, comment on other blogs, clearing email, setting up for tomorrow and cleaning desk. You need to allot a time for each task, and a time to do the full circuit every day.

MICROMANAGEMENT This is basically upkeep that involves anything that can be done in one minute or less, a David Allen rule. At home, it is to pick up after myself. In business, it can be the exact same thing. When finished a project, put all papers back into the file folder, and refile it. When making an online payment with a credit card, put the credit card away when finished.  I have left mine sitting on my desk and then went shopping without it, not a pretty sight .

ACTION TIPS

Have a look at any area in your life that you feel you would like to better manage.

Create 3 habits that will cover each of the success components –

• Macromanagement – how can you manage the big picture more effectively? Many times this will involve taking something out of the big picture.

• Maintenance – what system can you put in place that through repetition and consistency will take care of the basics on autopilot?

• Micromanagement – what small thing can you be doing differently to better manage the details "in the moment"? Many times this item will make maintenance easier too.

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