Who among us wouldn’t like to be more productive? I know I would. I often find myself working longer days than I would like, though this has a lot to do with the fact that I work for myself. This means that I can do other things during the day and interrupt what would be a normal workday for things like running out to the bank or going to stand on line for the latest video game that my son MUST have before the initial 1,000,000,000,000 pressing is sold out. He then might have to be placed on the waiting list! What will he do if that happens? Simply unacceptable!

It is still possible to be productive even if you insert these other miscellaneous and sundry tasks into your traditional workday. Studies have shown that every time you switch a task in the middle, it takes seven minutes to reorient yourself back to the work you were doing. So, if you change tasks unnecessarily 20 times throughout the day, you will have wasted two hours. Here’s some advice to maximizing your precious time and hopefully prevent your workday from turning into work all day and night:

Make a List: I know I keep touting the value of a list; but writing things down really does help! I promise. When I write things down it is amazing at the satisfaction I get by being able to cross things off as they are completed. Before long, I have made it to the bottom (though not always). It definitely gives me a sense of accomplishment.  The greatest thing about making a list is that it allows me to focus on one task at a time.

Use a Time Tracker: I use Time Tracker http://code.google.com/p/time-tracker-mac/, but there are hundreds if not thousands of systems that can help you track exactly how much time you waste on pointless useless tasks.  These tools allow you to monitor your tasks and projects and provide you with a “real” picture of how you spend your time. I have found this tool very useful. It has really allowed me to understand exactly how I am spending my time, and enabled me to understand where my value truly lies. Admittedly, it has taken me some time to get used to it; and quite frankly, I really did not want to use it to begin with. I insisted I knew how long it took me to write a résumé. Now, I actually know for sure.

Start with the most Difficult Tasks: People tend to procrastinate and wait until the last minute to do the more difficult things. My suggestion? Start with the things you dread most – rise a bit early. It’s just you, your bunny slippers and your gigantic cup of joe. You will get the work out of the way and be able to move on to more manageable things. One thing is for sure – you will feel a big weight lifted from your shoulders from having cleared the elephant from the room.

Issue Self-Imposed Deadlines: Get yourself a whiteboard or some other planning device and issue deadlines for the work that needs to be completed. If you see a due date for something, you will be more inclined to make it happen. Open-ended tasks are not compelling because there is nothing to force you to complete them. Dates, even self-imposed ones serve as a call to action.

Establish a Clutter-Free Environment: Years ago I worked with a woman who was actually reprimanded during her annual review; she had a workspace that was so cluttered and filled with all manner of paper and other things the entire office wondered how she got anything done. I found myself wondering what her house looked like! Her desk was a total mess. Words cannot even describe the mounds of paper. How did she find anything? This question ranked up there with the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. A clear workspace will enable you to relax and focus on one thing at a time. Clutter is distracting; and if you are like me, your eyes drift over things as you realize something else you need to address. Keep it clean. You will absolutely be more productive.

Turn-off your Email: There is nothing more distracting than going back and forth between something you are working on and your email. Talk about adding half hour or more to a task. Focus on what you are doing and set blocks of time to handle email and phone calls. Your productivity will soar.

I have done all of these things! They truly work. One of my favorite past-times is reading classic novels. In my youth I would devour books at an alarming rate – now, not so much. Family, work and other things prevent me from reading as much as I would like. I have been known to carry my laptop upstairs at night to continue working after my kids have gone to sleep. I still do this sometimes; but more often than not now I can actually sit down for a time and read a good chunk of a book or actually watch a movie! In addition to being more productive I have also finally realized and accepted the fact that the work will be there tomorrow. I can (and do) pick up in the morning, make my new list and start again.