Boost Your Productivity as a PM with These Process Power Plays

Do you ever feel like you know the basics of productivity but have a hard time putting them into practice? You're not alone.

Many of us have heard of the importance of limiting our work in progress, but it can be tough to translate that concept into daily habits. The same goes for focusing on just one task at a time or blocking out distractions. These productivity ideas might seem straightforward, but the challenge is in implementing them consistently.

That's where "Process Power Plays" come in. These three tactics, developed by a productivity expert, offer practical tips for boosting your productivity. They're designed to help you not just understand the concepts but put them into practice in a way that works for you.

The first power play is all about "Always be closing."

This means focusing on closing out tasks before starting new ones. It may seem simple, but eliminating just one thing from your to-do list can add up and make a big impact on your productivity. The key is to prioritize the most important tasks and see them through to completion before moving on to the next thing.

The second power play is "Don't start side-shows."

It's easy to get distracted by new ideas or projects, but each context switch can cost you precious time and focus. Instead of getting sidetracked, limit your investigations to a maximum of two things at a time. This will help you avoid getting overwhelmed and ensure that you stay on track with your most important tasks.

The third and most challenging power play is "Start blocking."

Instead of measuring progress by time spent, focus on doing significantly less in one block of time. This means creating a focus time slot in your calendar that is longer than two hours and blocking out all distractions. This can be difficult in our modern, always-connected world, but the ability to block out noise is a game-changer for productivity. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in a task and make significant progress without getting distracted.

It's important to start small and take on one power play at a time. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Want even more tactical tips? I've collected templates over the years, that help me daily. They help me onboard faster with teams, brainstorm more collaboratively and communicate outcomes in a crisper way.