Increase your productivity right now

If you're like everyone else these days, you're likely feeling overwhelmed by the gap between what you need to do and how much time you have to do it. One of the biggest hindrances in our efforts to get it all done, though, is also something we can control.

Being online much of the day isn't good for us. We bounce from task to task. We read emails as they come in. We make calls, visit websites, read articles and read and respond to email again. And, sometimes we even get sucked into doing other things — reading this blog post, for example.

If you want to increase sales productivity and get much more done, here are a couple of strategies to improve your time-management skills:

1. Block out your time. Devote an hour to making calls and nothing else. Or dedicate an hour solely to getting that proposal done. Don't allow any interruptions during that time.
2. Don't tackle email first thing in the morning. You'll get totally sucked in and, before you know it, your morning will be gone. Instead, twice a day — and no more — turn your attention to email. Your customers don't need you to be available 24/7.
3. And finally, plan for tomorrow. Take 15 minutes at the end of each day to set out your tasks for the following morning. That way, when you get to the office, you can hit the ground running.

What I'm suggesting is something you're totally capable of doing. Try it and see if you don't enjoy a lot more free time.