Fresh Focus On Productivity!™

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Double check your task the next day to assure that priorities haven’t changed from the previous day

While this may seem like a “Captain Obvious” tip, you’d be surprised how many people will skip this step occasionally or just not do it at all.

Things change

When making your task list the day before. it is very important to check it the actual day. There may be thoughts that crop up during your off time that need to be added, or priorities may have shifted and something on your Waiting or Action list may need to be moved to Next Action.

Unexpected things come up

Or perhaps something has come up that you have to completely ignore your lists and do something completely different: perhaps an unexpected out of town trip. It would then be prudent to check your list in order to inform those that are involved within  your list of the changes so that they may plan their list accordingly. The one issue that GTD can  have is the intertwined-ness of the system and the possibility of relying on other people as well as people relying upon you. It is extremely important to keep those that are involved in your list, updated so that they can rearrange their lists. I’m sure we’ve all been in the situation where someone else’s tasks have changed and they haven’t informed us, costing us either money, time, or both.

Errors happen!

*gasp!!* Yes, they do. Even to us staunch GTD’ers. We can and do make errors in our lists and a quick review before the day begins will assure that we are on the right track and that we don’t start things that shouldn’t be started.

A quick review of your task list each and every day will assure that you stay on track and that those involved with you are able to do the same. It will save you both time and money in the long run!

Related Blogs

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• 50+ Ways to Improve Your Productivity as a Freelancer
• How to Plan Your Week – 4 Steps to Productivity
• How to Plan Your Week: 4 Steps to Productivity
• Breaking down the Telemarketing Coaching Process
• How to Gain Control Over Your Freelancing Life

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It’s always a good practice to plan your time, ahead of time. I set aside a specific amount of time on my calendar, fifteen minutes, where I plan what I”m going to do the next day.

What this entails is this:

• Checking my contexts for that day to ascertain what I did not complete
  • Moving those tasks to the next day
  • If I am “Waiting For” anything to complete those tasks, I move those to the “Waiting For” list
• Looking at my “Action” list and moving the tasks for the next day to my “Next Action” list
• Looking at my “Waiting For” list and deciding if I need to move any of these to “Next Action” for the next day, or “Action” for sometime in the not so distant future
• “Completed” items get moved to the completed list, with an ever-so-pleasant strike through the task that has been completed

On some days this will take me the entire fifteen minutes and on other days it may take me five. All throughout the day, though, I am adding items to all my lists as I think of them. If it’s something that I come across that must be done immediately, it goes on “Next Action” and gets done immediately. If it can wait, it gets out on the “Action” list. And if it requires “Waiting For” someone to complete their end of things, then on the “Waiting For” list it goes.

The key, for me, is jotting things down whenever I think of them: NOT waiting until later, thinking that when I plan my next day, that I will remember. One of the items that is stressed in GTD is this:

“If you can do an item in two minutes, do it now and get it done with” 

For me, this is something that I stick to religiously. I cannot rely on my memory to remember ANYTHING. My memory cannot be trusted, and sometimes it likens itself to be my greatest enemy. BUT- dealing with this nemesis is getting easier by writing everything down, and it’s very important to:

WRITE IN A PLACE THAT YOU KNOW YOU CAN FIND IT

I realize that sounds dead simple, but how many times have you known that you have written something down, only to not be able to find it? That post-it sticky note, or that yellow piece of paper?  C’mon….you can tell me. How many times?

Following the simple and easy steps above, it is easy to plan your days, everyday, and know that you won’t forget anything. And let me tell ya, it becomes a really great feeling knowing that you are organized and do not have to worry about GETTING THINGS DONE.

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You've read the series, now get the E-Book! Special EXTRA material not included in the blog series, plus three FREE templates!! Templates included are Time Management Matrix, Goal worksheet, and The Completion Journal. Only $24.99 for the book!


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I can’t stress enough how important it is to keep your energy up throughout the day in order to be the most productive that you can be. The engine cannot run without fuel, right?

I know that , as busy as we are, we tend to skip breakfast or just grab a cup of coffee. How do you expect to start your day right giving your body so little fuel? As they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It starts the metabolism and sets you up to burn calories throughout the day.

The foods listed below are some of the most high energy foods to be found. I will give pointers on how you can incorporate these foods in your routine, and make a grab and go meal.

1 OATMEAL

Oats are low on the glycemic index, as they have a lot of fiber, which means that your body gets a steady stream–rather than a tide–of energy as carbohydrates gradually flow into your bloodstream. Oats also contain the energizing–and stress-lowering–B vitamin family, which helps transform carbs into usable energy.

Other low-glycemic carbohydrates to choose are: high-fiber breakfast cereals, vegetables, whole-grain breads and brown rice.

1 cup oatmeal: 145 calories, 25g carbs, 6g protein, 2g fat

Preparation: Make one large batch of oatmeal once a week. Store in single serving containers and either freeze or refrigerate. Grab one container each morning and go! Heat it up at the office and eat as you work.

2 COFFEE

Coffee’s welcoming aroma and promise of instant energy have made it the second-most popular beverage in the U.S. behind soft drinks. Caffeine is what makes coffee the morning cup of ambition that it is; it’s caffeine that blocks a chemical called adenosine that otherwise interferes with energy-boosting neurotransmitters. So having that cup or two of java isn’t going to hurt you and can actually make you more productive at work. But remember, more than two cups of coffee per day can be counterproductive, since the initial high is followed by mild withdrawal symptoms, one of which is fatigue. Also, be sure to drink more water when drinking coffee, as caffeine acts as a mild diuretic.

1 cup black coffee: 5 calories, zero carbs, zero protein, zero fat

Preparation: Most offices supply coffee, as it is a morning staple most anywhere in the world. I use honey and cream in mine, because I like to stay away from processed sweeteners. One or two cups a day won’t hurt you!

3 LENTILS

Lentils provide both carbohydrates and protein, making them a great addition to any meal. They’re also a great source of fiber–which translates to a slow release of glucose–as well as B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium and copper. And they’re low in fat and calories to boot. If you don’t eat beans often, start with a small portion or you’ll experience the flatulence factor and end up dining alone. Some other good choices include navy beans, chickpeas and kidney beans.

1 cup boiled lentils: 290 calories, 40g carbs, 18g protein, 1g fat

Preparation: Lentils are also used to grow sprouts, which is very easy to do. Best eaten in salads or sandwiches, sprouts have a nutty flavor that is quite pleasant. Grow your own and add some to salads. The unsprouted lentil can be used in soups and stews. Make a batch of soup or stew and freeze in individual containers for easy grab and go in the morning!

4 WATER

Without water, your body cannot generate energy. Water makes it possible for your system to digest, absorb and transport nutrients. It also helps regulate body temperature. When you’re dehydrated, your cells receive nutrients for energy less efficiently, and your body can’t properly expend heat through sweating. Both conditions lead to fatigue. Aim to drink eight to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water a day. Other sources of fluid include flavored waters such as Propel, sports drinks like Gatorade, herbal teas, and unsweetened (check the label) whole-fruit juices.

Preparation: This is the easiest of them all. Grab a glass and drink! Please be responsible with water, though. Don’t buy bottled individual water units. Go Green with your water and buy a cooler and use 5 gallon jugs – just wash and refill your smaller bottles!

5 BANANAS

The sugar in bananas is an easily digested form of carbohydrate. Bananas also provide a lot of potassium, an electrolyte that helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function. Unlike some nutrients, potassium isn’t stored by the body for long periods of time, so your potassium level can drop during times of stress or during strenuous exercise, when the nutrient is lost through excessive sweating. Other fruits such as apples, grapes, peaches and pineapples also make great energizing snacks.

1 medium banana: 105 calories, 27g carbs, 1g protein, 0.5g fat

Preparation: Grab and go!

6 SARDINES

Water-packed sardines contain an amino acid called tyrosine that, when digested, helps to manufacture the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine. These “uppers” bring your brain to full attention, improving your mental function. Other lean protein foods contain tyrosine as well, including lean beef, chicken, turkey, pork tenderloin, shellfish and eggs.

4 oz. sardines in water: 160 calories, zero carbs, 24g protein, 8g fat

Preparation: I’m not fond of sardines or any canned, cured fish, so these are out for me. But they are a great grab & go food and can be eaten on crackers or melba toast.

7 CHOCOLATE

Not just a pick-me-up-in-the-love-moment for women, chocolate can elevate your energy levels by way of certain bioactive compounds such as tyramine and phenylethylamine, says a study in the Journal of Food Science. Chocolate has also been claimed to improve anemia, awaken the appetite, aid in digestion, improve longevity, and increase sexual appetite. Chocolate does contain sugar and caffeine along with fat and calories, so consume in moderation and, when possible, opt for dark chocolate, which has the fewest calories and the most antioxidants.

1 snack-sized Hershey bar: 70 calories, 9g carbs, 1g protein, 3g fat

Preparation: We women KNOW the importance of our second love, chocolate. During menstruation, the body uses lots of energy and we crave chocolate. It provides quick energy and tastes great! The benefits of chocolate are many, and it is good for either gender! Grab and go!

8 STEAK

If you eat a strict low-fat diet, iron deficiency can develop. Iron is a component of the hemoglobin in red blood cells and is found in the myoglobin in muscles and other tissues. When iron levels are inadequate, the cells in your body slowly suffocate from lack of oxygen and burn carbohydrates inefficiently. Consequently, you feel sluggish, can’t concentrate, and are exhausted after minimal effort. As red meat is the most readily absorbed form of iron, treat yourself to a high-quality steak (skip the Quarter Pounder) once a week to maintain healthy iron stores.

3.5 oz. top sirloin: 229 calories, zero carbs, 29g protein, 11.5g fat

Preparation: Cook as you like! Steak is best when cooked and served, so this isn’t something that’s grab and go. But, as it’s best to eat the biggest meal at lunchtime, have a steak for lunch! It will boost your energy and supply you with toms of good nutrients.

9 ALMONDS

Not all fats are created equal. Saturated fats such as butter and cheese tend to make you lethargic by lowering the amount of circulating oxygen in your bloodstream. Monounsaturated fats such as almonds provide essential fatty acids, known as omega-3s and omega-6s, that produce an alert mental state. Other healthy fats to include in your diet are avocados, seeds, nuts, olive oil, fish oil and canola oil. Of course, with the possible exception of fish oil, eat all of these in moderation.

12 almonds: 83 calories, 3g carbs, 3g protein, 7g fat

Preparation: High in Omega-3, almonds are a great grab and go snack! Buy a large can – one for home and one for the office. Snack in moderation!

10 YOGURT

Research suggests that magnesium-rich foods such as yogurt can provide an energy boost. Magnesium activates enzymes that are important for protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Magnesium also helps in the release of energy by transferring the key phosphate molecule to adenosine triphosphate, the explosive energy source you use when you lift weights. Other low-fat dairy foods to make room for are low-fat cheese, skim milk, kefir and low-fat cottage cheese.

8 oz. low-fat plain yogurt: 130 calories, 15g carbs, 11g protein, 3g fat

Preparation: This is a no-brainer. Yogurt can be purchased in most any health food or grocery store now-a-days. Did you know that the French eat large amounts of yogurt? There are quite a few French that live to ages over 100. Yogurt taste great and is definitely grab and go! It’s even easy to make your own!

Here are ten very easy things to do and eat in order to maintain your energy levels throughout the day. Many of them are grab and go.

Newsweek has a blog post up about beating the “sick” bug, staying healthy and being able to sty productive by doing so. All the tips I’ve given above are sure ways to keep your immune system just chugging along at a great rate and allowing it to keep you healthy.

What do you eat throughout the day to keep your energy flowing?

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You've read the series, now get the E-Book! Special EXTRA material not included in the blog series, plus three FREE templates!! Templates included are Time Management Matrix, Goal worksheet, and The Completion Journal. Only $24.99 for the book!


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This is a topic that I have addressed several times here on Fresh Focus. You may think, though, that it seems strange to say to avoid multi-tasking to be more productive. But it really is true.

When you multi-task, your concentration wanders. I know that when I start a task, it will take me a good ten or fifteen minutes to get up a good rhythm. When you multi-task, you are always breaking your concentration, which in turn leads to less productivity in general.

Once you get in the flow of things, and are “on task” (pun intended), you will see how smooth it will be to accomplish the task and move on towards something else. Researchers measured a 20-30% loss in the total time it took for subjects to complete two separate problems, when they switched back and forth mentally between the tasks. Not only that, but Jonathan B. Spira, who’s the chief analyst at a business- research firm called Basex has estimated the per annum cost to the economy of multitasking-induced disruptions. You’re not going to believe this figure:

Six hundred and fifty billion dollars

Yes, you read that correctly. Multi-tasking can cost us that much per year. If you are a professional blogger or self-employed, you know that time is money. You can’t afford to lose any amount of money and in this case that’s a huge chunk of change!

I’ve pondered on how our society has gotten to be this way and I have a theory. With the advent of computers and population into the mainstream, we expect to be able to get more things done in less time.Have others come to expect us to be able to multi-task because of our computer usage? Are we sub-consciously feeling the need to be as fast as computers (or die trying)? It’s food for thought….

But I digress….multi-tasking is not a good thing to do. Pick one task and finish it to completion, or work on it for the time frame that you have set for that day. You will be surprised how much you can get done!

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You've read the series, now get the E-Book! Special EXTRA material not included in the blog series, plus three FREE templates!! Templates included are Time Management Matrix, Goal worksheet, and The Completion Journal. Only $24.99 for the book!


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