Shiny Pennies

Some days I can spend my whole day picking up shiny pennies.  Do you ever have days like that?  New ideas spring up and they look interesting so you check them out.  It’s a great distraction and a lot of fun.  Your day is done, before it has begun and you think, what have I accomplished today?

This happens a lot if you’re starting your own business and it also happens when you’re working for someone.  It can happen at home too, especially when you’re surfin’ the net!

I think it’s good to let your mind wander, surf the net, investigate all that might seem interesting.  In fact, it’s really important to keep the creativity going.  If you’re doing this and not accomplishing what you’d like to accomplish these tips might help.

Tip 1:  Plan your week.  Before your week begins take some time to plan it out.  Look at your calendar on your computer or print out the week’s appointments.  Think about what you’d like to accomplish by the end of the week.  Be realistic – if you’ve got travel, training or a lot of meetings, lower your expectations of other work you’ll get done.

Tip 2:  Plan your days.  Record one or two things that you’ll work on each day that support what you’d like to accomplish by the end of the week.  Look at your to-do list to see what items you’d like to finish and plan what days you’ll be working on them.  Important:  Limit what you’d like to get done to no more than three items per day.  It will keep you from being overwhelmed and keep you focused.  If you’ve accomplished them, you can always add more to your day.

Tip 3:  Focus.  If you want to maximize your concentration and productivity, work in 50 minute segments.  Stand up and walk around for 10 minutes before you begin your next 50 minute segment.  See the blog on “Interruptions” for more tips.

Tip 4:  What to do with shiny pennies?  As new ideas flow and tempt you to look into them, write down the idea in as much detail as possible with a date.  Drop the paper into a folder called “future ideas.”  You’ll never lose a great idea and you can choose to explore it when you want.

Tip 5:  Schedule some creative time.  Let your mind wander, read a magazine, take a walk, go to the library, talk to an old friend.  I find that my creativity is best when I’m out of my usual routine.

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