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Professors – Decide on Your Next Actions and Increase Your Productivity (with Less Stress!)

6th February, 2009 - Posted by Meggin - No Comments

Picture this…You have folders, files, students’ papers, notebooks, books, conference proceedings, and various other items strewn about your desk, credenza, and side tables.  When you walk into your office, it’s overwhelming and there’s a sense of, ‘I have got to do something about this stuff.’  Unfortunately, the next day when you come in, it’s still there and nothing has been done about the ’stuff.’  Darn those gremlins that never show up!

I was living (working?!) the same situation (and still struggle with it, by the way).  Once I created some ‘Next Action’ sheets for myself and started using them (that’s key!) the stuff started to get done.  Here’s how that works:

1. When you look at any individual paper, file, packet, letter, or other other physical item, ask yourself, "What is the VERY NEXT ACTION that I need take on this in order for it to move forward (toward getting done)?" This is harder than it sounds.  You want to determine the smallest next action that will move the project forward or that will actually finish up the task.  It might be call, email, read, sign, find, give, mail, or whatever.  You may be surprised how just DECIDING on the next action gives you some momentum.

2. If it is a next action that you can complete right now, then go ahead and do it.  If you can’t do it now, then write down what the next action is because you don’t want to have to re-think it the next time you see the document, file, or other physical item.  Then determine which day you will do the task and drop the item (with the note) into your 1-31 file (more on that in other articles).

3. Create your own ‘Next Action’ sheets by thinking through the most likely actions you take.  Print out a few copies and if you find yourself adding more and different ones, then add those to your master list.  It’s nice just to be able to check off the action rather than writing it, especially if your handwriting is less-than-readable (even to you!) like mine is.

If you would like to access the ‘Next Action’ sheets I’ve created, you are welcome to.  Just download them for free by going to…

**Top Ten Productivity Tips   http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com

And for additional support as you move toward your goals for more peaceful productivity, join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin’s weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following website):

**Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay   http://www.KeepingChaosatBay.com

(c) 2009 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Ph.D. of Productivity"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!