[F]irst it’s important to understand that if you’re not feeling great you’re not going to be able to hit maximum productivity. Take good care of yourself. It’s the foundation for everything.
With that in mind, here are the only two tricks you’ll ever need to reach maximum productivity:
Plot your day
Instead of diving right in, the first thing I do when I get to my desk is I open up a word document, look at my to-dos and emails, and then figure out how to fit everything in. I literally write out my schedule for the day. […]
Writing a schedule for the day keeps you focused and productive, and it ensures that all the important things are getting your attention. Spend ten minutes in the morning plotting your day and then stick to it.
Carve out time each week to reflect and calibrate
If you really want to be productive throughout the day, one of the most important things to understand is how your daily work fits into the bigger picture of your work and life.
Most of us are so busy that we don’t bother reflecting. That’s a mistake. Nothing is more important than reflecting on your work and your life – how else would you know that you’re on the right track?