We nearly all make the resolution to be more productive, whether at the start of a new year, after a much-needed vacation, when starting a new job.
And then a few weeks pass and we're back in the routine, in a rut and running on the wheel, wondering where all that determination to be better, faster, and quicker went.
So Tech Times went straight to the source -- productive company leaders -- and asked five to share one tip on how they boost productivity.
1. Listen, Listen and Listen
There's that old saying about why one should never "assume," says one top company chief, as it leads to time wasting and extra work, and um, well, you know. The key, says Segmint President Rob Heiser, is to listen.
"Being a great listener has a major impact on productivity. I try to understand exactly what someone needs prior to assigning tasks by asking questions and making sure my team has everything they need to be successful in advance. This cuts down on the incredible amount of rework that comes as a result of making assumptions instead of asking questions up front," the chief executive officer told Tech Times.
2. Get Active Outside the Corner Office
It can be easy for a CEO to be stuck in the office, sitting at a desk all day. However, several leaders suggest getting out and remaining active, outside of the job role, is extremely important when it comes to productivity. Alan Masarek, at the helm of Vonage, says his endurance regime plays big into his leadership role.
"I've completed five Ironman triathlons and dozens of triathlons of shorter distances, all of which require many hours of training each week," Masarek, CEO of Vonage, told Tech Times. "The repetitive routine of training for long-distance sports provides an incredible opportunity for reflection and to think through and solve problems. I get tremendous clarity of thought during my long swims, runs and bike rides. In fact, I have frequently stopped in the midst of a training session to grab my phone and dictate a note to myself with a new idea or a solution to a problem I've been pondering."
3. Avoid the Comfort Zone
While some believe being comfortable is paramount to being more productive, others clearly don't agree and say ultimately it could pove to be a leader's downfall. The trick is to avoid the comfort zone and and embrace challenges, says CEO Vivian Chan.
"I set myself challenges, both as a CEO and beyond, to expose myself to a range of experiences and hopefully pick up a diverse set of skills along the way," Chan, CEO and co-founder of Sparrho, a personalized recommendation engine for science news, told Tech Times. "These can be as varied as shadowing CEOs, working with the British Army at London Olympics, or hiking to Macchu Picchu (later this year)."
4. Be Selfish. Take "Me Time"
It is important to step back from running the business for "me time," as it can prove rejuvenating and invigorating, says Steven Berlin, who runs Uskape.
"I mandate ME time. It's actually on my calendar. I must carve out time to take a step back and make time for myself," Berlin told Tech Times. "Stepping away to refresh helps me refocus, so I can ultimately be more productive. But it only works if you stick to the routine -- put it on the calendar and don't skip it."
5. Use Post-it Notes. Yes, Post-it Notes.
Post-it notes are a great tool for staying on point and organized, with several company leaders noting the creative stationery is even getting more productive as a job aid these days.
"Post-it notes make a huge impact on productivity. I keep Post-it notes in my wallet at all times, then I can scan them into the Post-it Plus app, which allows you to back up, share and organize notes," Jordan Edelson, CEO and founder of Appetizer Mobile, told Tech Times. "As someone who primarily works in the mobile space it's important for me to have access to all of my notes from my phone. This system constantly reminds me what I need to do next."
