Keep Productivity Up -- 5 Tips for Business Owners

Being productive takes practice and a plan. But anyone can improve their productivity and get more done each day. Here are some ways to incorporate productivity into anyone's daily work day, from stay-at-home moms to small business owners:

1. Keep Distractions to a Minimum to Improve Productivity
Distractions are to productivity what kryptonite is to Superman. The first thing you must do is eliminate any and all distractions. This includes, but is not limited to, food, TV, phone, annoying noises (if possible) and anything else that could prevent getting work done.

2. Improve Productivity By Checking E-mail Twice a Day
E-mail can suck up hours a day. From opening and reviewing e-mails to crafting answers, researching and responding. By limiting the numbers of times that you check e-mail to just twice a day, enormous amounts of lost energy and time can be found and put to good use.

3. Be Productive By Returning Phone Calls at the Beginning and End of the Day
Check voicemail as soon as the day starts. If phone calls are the basis of your work day, add additional check-in times. But the key is to limit that time so the entire day isn't wasted answering phone calls. Pick one or two times per day to return all phone calls. However, it's important to customize this schedule based upon the number of calls received. For example, some focused on generating sales may need to allot 4-5 times during each day to return phone calls.

4. Attack the Hardest Tasks First
Procrastinators despise hard tasks. That's why they put them off. Tackle the hardest, most dreaded tasks first. Break them up into smaller tasks if necessary. Once the hardest job of the day is completed, a sense of accomplishment takes over. That's the best time to jump on the productivity high and start completing easier, smaller tasks. Over the course of a few hours, an entire to-do list can be completed.

5. Be Productive By Making a Daily To-Do List
It's difficult to be productive if it's unclear what needs to be accomplished. That's where the trusted to-do list comes in handy. At the beginning of each day, list every single task -- no matter how big or small -- that needs to be completed by the end of the day. As the task is completed, cross it off the list. Some tasks may need to be moved to the next day. However, having a list will improve productivity by outlining exactly what needs to be done.

Improving productivity takes time, but anyone can increase their productivity. Take small steps and incorporate one tip each week to ensure your new routine sticks. Where there's a will, there's a way. Get on the way to getting more done today!