A Simple Idea Which Increases Productivity

Like most people, I constantly feel swamped with the amount of work I have. Most weeks I have to write two sermons, I play in high school worship band, I'm over communication in the church, the next event is always just a couple days away, etc. There's always more work to do.

And even though I may put it long hours, some days end and I still think to myself, "What did I get done today?"

Recently I was watching a vodcast by Phil Cooke on being more effective, and he threw out this idea (which I'm heavily paraphrasing), "When you wake up, don't check your email. Whenever you show up to work, don't check our email (again). The first thing you should do when you show up to work is do the most important thing you have to do that day. That way you know you will accomplish something important every day."

I put my own spin on the idea and came up with this.

Do the most important thing you can do, right now!

It sounds like it's such an obvious idea that I should have to share it. But then I think about all the days I've shown up to work sorted and checked my email right off the bat. How many times have I stressed out about a sermon because I spent too much time fiddling with the minor details on the handout rather than finishing the sermon. How many times have I come home from work and immediately jumped onto Facebook rather than working around the house.

Think about the applications:

• What is the most important thing you can do when you show up to work?
• What is the most important thing you can do when you get home from work?
• What is the most important thing you can do when your spouse gets home from work?
• What is the most important thing you can do with your family today?
• What is the most important thing you can do with a project you're currently working on?