I don’t know about you, but I’m always trying to find ways to be more productive. It seems like each day flies by more quickly than the day before. I have found a few areas where productivity can be increased; maybe it’s time for you to consider changes in these areas too.
1) Is it time to get a new computer? Thankfully, my Mac is still working like a dream, but my computer before this Mac was really holding me back. It would take ages to boot up, and then it needed to run all sorts of updates and started programs throughout the day without my asking for them to open. Each time the computer would try to do something it took FOREVER. It was definitely time for an upgrade. Does your computer or technology hold you back? Is it slowing your writing day significantly? Is it time to make an investment in new equipment to increase your productivity?
2) Is it time to learn how to type? I’ve pondered before how, if writers like Charles Dickens and Jane Austen had computers and could type their books, we might have many more great works from them. You have a computer, and many of you probably know how to type, but if you’ve never taken a typing class, could it be time? Hunting and pecking, even if you’ve come up with a system that works for you, isn’t as efficient, and you could be holding yourself back by not investing a little time in a typing class.
My typing class in high school was the most useful class I have ever taken, and it was a lot of fun, too!
3) Is it time to get an assistant/office space/babysitter?
When we decided to change homes, one of my criteria for the house hunt is that there would be an office space in our new house. We were able to find a home with a dedicated office space and it’s been wonderful. Do you need to find your own space for your writing? Might you need to dedicate a room of your house to an office, put up a room divider, or section off a place in your garage?
Some of you might be at a level in your writing that it’s time to invest in an assistant to help with your email, snail mail, and day-to-day tasks. Not everyone is ready for this step, but some of you should consider bringing in help for a few hours each week.
I know that I have to have help with my children so I can get work done. Do you need to hire a babysitter to increase your productivity? I’ve long-since learned that I can’t do everything without support. There’s no way to be a full-time parent, wife/husband, housekeeper, writer, breadwinner, etc. without some help. Is it time for you to ask for that help?
4) Is it time to reevaluate your commitments?
In an effort to increase productivity, it might be time to look at what you do each week that drains your resources, energy and time. If you’re so wiped out from your endless church commitments, choir rehearsals, sports games, board meetings, etc. that you can’t even write when you have time, you might need to take a closer look at what you are committing to.
Of course you should still be a part of your church, and your children’s events aren’t to be skipped, but maybe you are over-committing to something. Or maybe an activity you are doing is draining to you because it’s not a gift of yours. For example, I used to do baby care at church during the services. I love children, but for many reasons I dreaded the days I was scheduled for baby care. Being in charge of so many different children all at once–including some really tough cases–was draining to me and I got sick nearly every time. I could do it, and I did for many years, but when I finally accepted that being a baby care worker wasn’t in my God-given talent pool, I felt so much better! I shifted my focus from child care to bringing meals to those who recently had a baby or who had suffered a tragedy. I enjoy helping and supporting the church in this way, and I’m energized by it instead of wiped out.
I think the biggest point here is, if you over-commit and try to do everything, you won’t give your best to anything. Is this something you need to think about for your life? Might you need to pull back in one area or another to help increase your productivity?
In what other ways might you increase your productivity? I’m always looking for good advice, so please feel free to share your tips with us! Thanks.
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Happy Resurrection Sunday!
So many great ideas, Rachel! I recently let go of some of the tasks I did for the camp we work at. We finally hired some help and it was really hard to let go of tasks that had always been mine, like running background checks on the staff. But knowing that others could do them just as well and there were different tasks that only I could do helped me to let go.