The Best Productivity Tip

Last week I mentioned cutting down on email and web browsing to improve productivity. Well, Bob Walsh has blogged a little test to see whether email is getting the better of you.

Based on Bob's test, a few other little suggestions here and there, and what I've been doing, I'm amazed by how much impact just closing Outlook can have on productivity. If you don't use Outlook, close whatever email client you do use, and make sure you close any of the little taskbar notifiers or noise-makers that let you know when you've got new email. You won't be disappointed.

Allocate periods of time during the day for catching up with email, or set a timer each time you start working and try to resist the temptation to check your email until the time runs out. Welcome back to the Zone!