28 interesting tips to increase productivity from successful people

Like most of us, I am inclined to consider themselves productive. If so, then the reason, no doubt, that I collected and used the secrets and techniques invented by a clever and successful people.

During his career, I have met with the authors of best-sellers, entrepreneurs, managers and creators. With some I did not know personally, but read their books. Thank you guys. You have helped me to become more creative.

1. Keep a paper notebook

Casey Owen Naystet, film director and vloger.

Casey has always kept a small notebook the Moleskine, where during the day enters all come to mind thoughts, ideas, sketches and notes. You can select any notebook, but rather that it was placed in the back pocket, then you could get it at any time.

Casey creative person, and therefore often loses notebooks. So he recommends all write on the cover of "finder of return for remuneration" and provide a telephone number.

2. Compose short and simple to-do lists

Tim Ferriss, author, speaker and investor.

Ferris has taught me the art to make lists. They should be simple and short, one small piece of paper on which are placed 5-6 cases. They need to perform per day. And yet. Every day you make a list, and then erase from his one point after another, and then rvote sheet. Such is the system.

3. Keep the information on the cards

Robert Green, a writer, journalist, author of "48 laws of power».

Robert Green was showing me how he wrote the book, and its method to take notes simply changed my life. Now, when I read the book, I make a bookmark in the places that I particularly liked. Then I go back to them and stand out in the text of the card, and then systematize them in a file cabinet. Now I have hundreds of thousands of such cards. I turn to them if I need a fun fact, the history, the label frazochka or simply a source of inspiration.

4. Do not use voicemail

Dov Charney, businessman, founder of American Apparel.

Dov when I first called, I heard a message on answering machine. It read: "I do not use voicemail. Write to me". Zdorovskaya system. I took her into service, but went even further: just did not configure your voicemail. If the case is important, I will call. When there is time, I will answer. And most of the counter with his "you have 6 unchecked voice messages" does not bother me.

5. Advice from more experienced people

Ramit Network, businessman, author of the bestseller "I'll teach you to be rich."

Ramit made a fortune of more than $ 40 million, but grew up in the same small-scale town that I do. I learned he had a trick that has long ignored, but now realized its value. If you are going to find a mate, make sure that he is older than you and more responsible than you. A lot of people make the mistake of hiring a young and cheap "experts" who end up with more hindrance than help.

6. Arrange yourself dictations

Tobias Wolfe, the writer.

In the book "Old School," the semi-autobiographical character Tobias specifically allocates time to reprint quotes and excerpts from favorite books. I do the same almost every weekend. Firstly, because I learn to type faster. Secondly, reading good literature fragments, I perfect writing skills. Third, I'm just getting smarter and more knowledgeable.

7. go swimming

Robert Green, a writer, journalist, author of "48 laws of power».

From Robert, I also learned that swimming helps to increase productivity. Why? Because during the race you like you are in isolation from the world. No phone, no music, no other distractions. Just quiet and hard work for the muscles. It is very well clears the head and promotes meditation. The most productive brainstorming I now occur in the basin.

8. Follow the principle of Inbox Zero

David Allen, a consultant in matters of productivity, and Merlin Mann, writer, blogger and podcaster.

Your folder with incoming documents, letters and comments must remain empty. Do not touch the same piece of paper twice. You see a document, you process it and either archiving or deleting. Remember this and use every day.

9. Do not store the excess mail

Ramit Network, businessman, author of the bestseller "I'll teach you to be rich."

Another tip from Ramit. Not necessarily respond to every email that you receive, and to produce a useless conversation. Button Delete - the best way to keep your inbox clean.

10. Delay unimportant solutions

Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor, general, statesman.

Napoleon was in the habit of writing to postpone unimportant aside. By the time he decided nevertheless reveal their minor cases often have resolved themselves. I do the same when getting email from his subordinates. If it is something non-urgent, and they themselves are able to understand.

11. Read on your smartphone, and do not play

Marco Arment programmer, founder of Instapaper.

Instapaper has changed me. Now, I do not play more on the smartphone in your spare time - I read intelligent articles that throws on the list "for later" during the day. Now I did not have the temptation to be distracted by reading something interesting while I work, because I can easily do it then.

12. Learn to say "no"

James Altusher, entrepreneur and writer.

"No" - good word, which will save you a lot of time. Altusher even wrote a book about it "Learn to say no». We think that we are obliged to say all the "yes" and then wonder why we are constantly running out of time. Learn how to politely refuse people and focus only on what is really important.

13. Keep notes

Michel de Montaigne, the writer and philosopher of the Renaissance.

Thanks to the work of Montaigne, I learned how important it is to take notes, recording everything, that at least you will find important. Montaigne, who invented the genre as an essay, led a notebook with records of statements, sayings and quotations, caught his eye. And his earliest essays were little more than collections of these thoughts.

14. Meet with a broom

Andrew Carnegie, businessman, millionaire and philanthropist.

This American industrialist correctly noted that "to meet with a broom," you need a very early age. In other words, if you always leave the dirty work and other routine, it will no longer do to understand them. Be able to cope with low-skilled labor, especially if you are a manager, if necessary.

15. Do not sit in the office waste

Aaron Ray, producer.

Aaron Ray was my mentor in Hollywood. He is a highly successful producer and kinodela, but I noticed him the habit, Aaron never sat in the office. Every time he came up with some ridiculous excuses why he was not there. And in the end I realized the real reason: he avoided any office routine and nonsense that just takes time. When he was on the set, I saw the reality and doing really important tasks.

16. Buy as much as books can be

Tucker Max, writer, blogger, and orator.

According to this guy did not say, but Tucker's largest collection of books from all that I've ever seen. Why? Because he buys every book that he liked, and reads them. I took his example. I do not spend time thinking, what kind of books I want to buy and where to find them on the cheap. I buy them, I read, I recommend to friends, benefit from them. That's all. Read as much as possible.

17. Create your "antibiblioteku"

Nassim Taleb, an economist, essayist, writer.

By the way, more about the books. By Nassim Taleb I learned about such a thing as "antibiblioteka". To gather a collection of books read is quite natural. But what about having to collect books that you read?

Read the book is far less important than the unread, says Taleb. The broader your outlook, the more of your shoulders unread books. Taleb cites the example of a library Umberto Eco, in which there were 30 thousand volumes. Eco, of course, do not read them all. But they, standing on the shelves, he served as a reminder of how much he has yet to learn.

18. Remove social networks from your phone

Samantha Hoover blogger.

From my bride I got a very good piece of advice. Remove Facebook from your phone. Just do it. Trust me. Of course, I'm almost certain that she was broke and set it back, but I'm still holding on.

19. Do not try to resist their circadian rhythms

Birdman Bryan Williams, rapper, record producer and entrepreneur.

This guy is founded Cash Money Records label and earned him more than $ 500 million. And I was shocked when I first met him in his studio... in the morning. On Sunday. His working day is just beginning. He works at night and sleeps during the day. At first I thought it was very strange, but then I realized: Brian chose a time when it is most productive, and does not pay attention to the fact that most people seem to "normal."

20. Listen to the same song at work

Tucker Max, writer, blogger, and orator.

I guess that's Tucker I stole his habit of listening to over and over again the same song, to enter into a state of "flow." This allows you to get away from everything superfluous. If you listen to the whole playlist of different songs, the trick will not work. So set the CD player on repeat. Listening to the same song over and over again, and I enjoy doing so much work without interruption.

21. Check your existing data

Samuel Zemyurrey, businessman and philanthropist.

This banana tycoon Rumor: "Do not trust Reports". We often rely on the figures, information and opinions, which are not tested themselves, and end up wrong. Check all that you can, and do not take anything for granted. Beginning with reports of your subordinates at work and ending with facts read by chance on the Internet.

22. Do not be a beta tester

Tim Ferriss, author, speaker and investor.

More advice from Tim: you do not need to be the first among the novelties enthusiasts. If there is a new application or social network released a new game, do not rush to register somewhere or buy something. Let other people faced with bugs, not you. Wait until all ustakanilos and correct errors. Then come and stay safe.

23. Do not use Wi-Fi on a plane

Unknown author.

I do not remember who suggested it to me, but it's definitely a smart guy. Do not waste your money on Wi-Fi in airplanes. First, it is expensive. Second, the low speed. Download everything you need, on your smartphone or laptop to flight. And then work in peace, read or listen to music. And no e-mail will not distract you.

24. Appreciate your time

Adam Corolla, comedian, actor, director and podcaster.

In his radio show Loveline Adam Corolla once complained that the producers are constantly asked him to come in 15 minutes before the show. He refused, arguing that the working week for those 15 minutes were formed in the 75 - and this is a supplementary edition of the show, which he does not pay nobody. Productive people can catch a lot, even if they give "only" 15 minutes, so even with such a small length of time it is not easy to leave.

25. Do more than the plan

Niki Papadopoulos, editor.

When I explain the editor some cool idea for your book or article you want to write, she always says, "Well, go and try to write it." In other words, only a start. Planning - is good, but action is better.

26. Do what you good influence

Frederick Douglass, author, educator and speaker.

"So, what are you working for, working on you." Well said, right? Looking for a job to their liking. Avoid toxic colleagues, congestion, fatigue, and intractable problems.

27. Get support from family

James Altusher, entrepreneur and writer.

Entrepreneurs, writers and other creative people are always a little bit crazy and live in your reality. To balance between work and daily activities, get yourself a spouse who is better suited to this life than you. For me, an example of such a couple - James and his wife Claudia.

28. Delegate what you can do yourself

Aaron Ray, producer.

Aaron - the manager on work with talent, and he told me such a thing: you do not have to spend their time on the case, which cope better by someone else (in his case it is negotiating). Now I give most of the cases to his assistant, working on the book project - book agent, requests for an interview - secretary and so on. Yes, of course, you have to pay them, but every job is worth the money. But I will have more time for my immediate responsibilities.