Do you find yourself wishing there were a couple of extra hours at the end of the day?

Before anyone can be self reliant, he or she needs to get in the habit of being a “do”er. You will never get the preps set aside, you’ll never take that first aid class, and you’ll never be able to take charge of your life if you don’t learn to manage your time and be productive.

Here’s some of the stuff that has helped and is helping me in my quest to be self reliant.

The Pomodoro Technique

One of the biggest reasons we don’t get stuff done the way want is that distractions. The Pomodoro Technique is a very simple way to practice being focused on one thing at a time. Don’t dismiss it just because it’s simple. If you really try it out, I’ll bet you find yourself getting more and more stuff done.

The Pomodoro Technique

If you read about the technique and decide it’s for you, there’s a good, free software out there that can help you follow it. Check it out: Focus Booster

The $25,000 Idea

Here’s another simple Idea that can help you have more productive days. Read the story on the site to get how the “List of Six” can work. You don’t need software to implement this idea, although the site I’m linking to does have a $3 piece available. Note: I wrote the software, so this is, at least in part, shameless self promotion. But again – you don’t need software to implement the $25,000 idea, just a pen and paper.

Like the Pomodoro Technique, the power here is in the following of a simple technique. You can use whatever tool works for you.

List of 6

Zen to Done

Are you looking for a slightly more comprehensive system for productivity and time management? Zen to done might work for you.

In fact, the Zen to Done system is a kind of a simplified, goal and action oriented version of Getting Things Done which you’ll read about next.

Zen to Done

If you can’t afford (or don’t want to shell out for) the book, just look around the author’s site for a while, probably starting at the Start Here page.

Getting Things Done

David Allen turned the Franklin-Covey-based productivity world on it’s ear with his book and system “Getting Things Done.”  Also known as GTD, it is a system of productivity that can really make a huge difference in how you can finally get to all of those little (and big) tasks that keep falling through the cracks.

I was introduced to it through a CD set that Nightingale-Conant used to sell, and quite frankly, it changed my life. I still don’t implement everything Allen teaches, but everything I have implemented has helped me reduce stress and be more productive. I really can’t recommend this one enough.

Again, if you don’t want to shell out for the “Getting Things Done” book, there are tons of recourses on the web that can show you what it’s all about. Just Google “GTD” and you’ll see what I mean.

Getting Things Done

In The End

I use bits and pieces from many authors and systems. I try to find what works for me and follow it. I’m not perfect, but these concepts, systems and ideas have made a difference for me.