Productivity,  Simplify

Get Things Done With A Productivity Sprint

Wednesdays are simplicity days at SimpleProductivity blog.


Photo by Sebastian Mary

Sometimes, no matter my best intentions and diligent working, my task list seems to take on a life of its own. At the time that I am peering down the throat of this monster that is about to swallow me, I know I have to quickly bring that list down in size. But when you are faced with a massive task list, what is the best way to get things done?

The answer is a productivity sprint.

Why Sprint

Sprinting, in track and field terms, is running short distances at top speed. The sprinters run faster miles per hour than longer-distance runners, but that’s the point – they can’t keep it up for long.

In productivity terms, we want to really speed through the tasks at top speed. We’ll get things done quickly, and get them out of the way.

Here are some methods for a productivity sprint.

Where It Works Best

I find that sprints work best at home. When I am at home, I am not impacted by much beyond my control like traffic, checkout lines and such. While you can do productivity sprints while you are out and about, I find it is best to do them at home.

After-Work Timeline

The timeline takes a list of tasks and groups them in time slots. By using the list and a clock, I can speed through the tasks.

To set up for this method, I sit down with my task list, and I start grouping these tasks by location or equipment. Then I take a sheet of paper, write down the time I get home, and start slotting in these tasks in various 15 minute blocks. I may have several tasks in the same time slot, say “water porch plants; refill bird feeder” from 5:00 to 5:15pm.

When I get home, I change into comfortable clothes and start working the list in order, keeping an eye on the clock and crossing out the tasks as I go.

Stacking

Stacking is another way to get through your tasks. Stacking means that you group tasks that occur in the same area together and work them as a group before moving to another area.

In order to do this, I sit down with my task list and a blank piece of paper that has been divided into 8 squares, labeled for the areas of my home. I write every task down in the area it is supposed to happen.

When I get home, I pick an area and start working those tasks until they are done. I do try to work the kitchen and living room tasks around the time that I am cooking dinner.

Planned “Multitasking”

I do not believe in multitasking as a rule because the human brain doesn’t multitask – it switches. However, I believe in a form of delegation that I have been told is multitasking.

I delegate tasks to machines, and then I go about my business.

It may be that I am “doing laundry”, but my actual time is just putting the clothes in the machine and pushing a button. I don’t have to stand there monitoring the machine. Same with cooking dinner in the oven or crockpot, vacuuming with the Roomba, or even spraying down the shower and letting the cleaner work.

When I am looking at my sprint plan, I make sure to take advantage of all these items. I put a casserole from the freezer in the oven and free up that time to work around the kitchen. I start the laundry and put in a later sprint to transfer it to the dryer. This way these tasks get done, but I am not going to let them slide because they are on the list.

Cautions

There are a few words of caution about this method.

First of all, just as in running, sprints are meant for short times. Marathon runners run at a much slower pace than sprinters, because they must keep up the pace for a longer time. If a marathon runner tried to sprint, their bodies would not be capable of the effort.

Same with the productivity sprint. It is not meant to be used all the time, or even every day. It is simply for getting through a lot of tasks in a short period of time. The effort needed is not feasible for long term results.

Conclusion

If you find that you are in need of getting a lot of things done quickly, try a productivity sprint.

BONUS: To help you get this done, I have put together a free workbook of instructions and forms to help you. You can find it by clicking here.


Photo by Sebastian Mary. Licensed under Creative Commons.