Getting It Done
Okay, we’ll admit it – juggling looks fun, but that doesn’t mean you should try it with your day! We’re taking a look at a few of our favorite approaches for getting things done and staying on top of your to-do list. As an added bonus, we’ll show you some of the ways The Arena App can work with these approaches.
Somewhere along the way, it became commonplace to try to get as much done as possible every chance you have. Instead of trying to multitask your way through the day, focus on one thing at a time. If you’re not sure where to start on finding your focus, make a checklist of all the steps you know you need to complete in order to finish a task. That way, you can work on one thing at a time while also making sure you’re not forgetting anything along the way. The Arena App allows you to add a checklist to any task or project; and if you’re still not sure where to start, check out one of our pre-built checklists for some ideas. Once you’ve found your focus, it’s time to get it done!
The Pomodoro Technique
One strategy we love to use is the Pomodoro Technique, founded by Francesco Cirillo. It uses time as a tool for success rather than a hindrance to your productivity. The key feature of the Pomodoro approach is to set a timer, usually for 25-minutes, and work with focus during that time. It is a simple and effective technique that helps you learn to work in a way that saves you time in your day. The Arena App allows you to integrate the Pomodoro approach into any task, with one slight adjustment: Users can tap the time button for each project and start a timer of any length. If you only have 10 minutes before a meeting, choose a task to work on, set your timer for 10 minutes, and work without interruptions for that entire time period, instead of wasting it waiting around for the meeting to start.
Eat the Frog
“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it First Thing in the Morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the BIGGEST one first.” — Mark Twain
The “Eat the Frog” method of getting work done was founded by Brian Tracy. This technique encourages you to get the largest, worst, most difficult task out of the way as soon as you get to your desk in the morning. That way, when it’s complete, the rest of your day will feel like smooth sailing! In Arena, simply make this task worth ALL the points, and once you complete it, you’ll get an extra level of satisfaction seeing that huge task you’ve already finished!
Time Blocking
Time blocking, or time/task batching, is another technique used more and more frequently. This practice encourages you to work on similar tasks in one block of time. For instance, if you’re working on invoices, also do your expenses (it’s all numbers). Or, if you’re working on marketing, approve all the social media posts. When you get your brain in a groove, keep it there. This maximizes your attention and minimizes time wasted switching from one thing to another. Instead of cluttering up your calendar with these time blocks, The Arena App allows you to see your tasks overlaid on your calendar so that you can move your task blocks into the time you have available without actually adding them to your calendar. Ideal and efficient!
Weekly Review
Lastly, the Weekly Review, developed by David Allen, encourages you to pick a time each week to review where you are with your projects, and to set your intention for the next week. The best part? You don’t have to do it on a Friday; choose the day that works best for you, and go from there. Arena even includes a pre-built checklist to help you get started!
What methods do you use the most? The Weekly Review is a beloved, disciplined practice for both of our co-founders, @doristiefel and @emmlehr. Tag them on social media and ask questions about how they use the weekly review (or any of these methods, really!) to get it all done. If you still want to know more, check out The Arena App: Project Planner in the App Store, and find us across social platforms (@thearenaapp)!
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