A guest post by Alisa Fleming
Often a food blogger’s days are bogged down with to do’s, gadgets, commitments.With so many electronic conveniences at your fingertips, you expect an increase in productivity. But more is just more, sometimes.
Fortunately, I’ve taken my productivity back. I feel good about what I’ve accomplished. In fact, people just can’t believe what I get done. (Read to the end to find out. I’ll give you a hint: I post daily on GoDairyFree.com.)
Here are four tips on how I increased my productivity:
1. Don’t Power Down. Hit the Reset Button
Discussions of taking a hiatus are constant in blogger communities. All I can say is don’t do it. Unless it’s truly a hobby that you don’t care about returning to, time away can hurt. I’ve watched many food bloggers get used to a break. Before they know it, one month turns into a year. When they try to return, they discover many things about the game have changed.
Instead, take a day or two off each month to reset. Don’t check your emails, don’t pop on social media. Completely detach. Get outside, spend time with family, cook just for the fun of it, go shopping, or take in a movie at an actual theater. Do anything that is more physical than mental to give yourself a true detox.
The day after, resist the urge to jump into work. Spend the day brainstorming and planning. Write down your goals and ideas. Sort them, prioritize them, think realistically about when and how much you can fit in and schedule. Underestimate what you can get done, but keep a list of extras, should you have time to accomplish more.
2. Accomplish More with Micro Tasking
Those big goals for the week or month are great. But what happens when you write “Do sponsored post,” and by the end of the day, the recipe is ready, you’ve taken beautiful photos, yet you’re not done with the post? If you’re like me, you may feel a little defeated.
The solution is simple. Stop making those weekly or monthly goals your daily goals.
Each morning, I make a detailed to-do list of micro tasks for the day ahead. It always starts with what I know I can accomplish, like “make bed,” “unload the dishwasher” and “take probiotics.” It’s also a great reminder list! I add daily work duties like “schedule Facebook shares” and “reply to priority emails.” Then I take any projects that I’d love to tackle that day, and I break them down into micro tasks. That way, a sponsored recipe post might look like this:
- Brainstorm recipe ideas
- Make grocery list and shop
- Do first recipe test
- Do second recipe test
- Take photos of dish
- Write sponsored post.
Even if I don’t get the full post done in that day, I can cross off three, four, or even five to dos, which makes me feel great. I recognize my accomplishments, giving me motivation and helping to keep my productivity up.
This micro tasking also helps when I’m feeling overwhelmed. People find it hilarious when I tell them I put “make bed” on my daily list. But many years ago, when I was overcome with anxiety and felt almost paralyzed in terms of productivity, I read that tip. I was desperate, and thought, “Why not?”
That one little doable step let me nestle into a neatly-made bed every night. It also helped me take control of my life. It keeps me grounded and lets me know that I am getting things done. Micro tasks follow the “one foot in front of the other” approach, allowing you to grab things that you can manage right now and build up to the bigger things.
3. Go Low Tech
At blogger conferences, I’m quickly reminded just how old school I am when it comes to work. I actually embraced the Internet, programming and technology several years before most. But unless it adds more minutes of productivity, I’m not interested in the latest and greatest tech.
I have tried apps for planning, virtual reminders, and other tech tools, but putting pen to paper is the only thing that really engrains something in my brain. I handwrite all of my lists and have an at-a-glance calendar on my desk which keeps important things at the forefront. I still use reminders and alerts, but my productivity soars when I use technology for producing rather than organizing.
I do all of my work on a desktop computer, not a phone or tablet. I have a powerful netbook that’s easy for travel, but in my office there’s a docking station with a big monitor, full-size keyboard, and mouse. This set up cost about $150 and has paid for itself many times over in productivity. I can manage Instagram 10 times faster on my computer than I could on a phone.
4. Schedule based on peak performance
Long-time blogger Alisa Fleming of GoDairyFree.org has learned how to work effectively on social media and several projects.
Decide which tasks take the most brainpower, and how much time you should spend on them. Then schedule accordingly. If you’re best in the morning, don’t immerse yourself in social media and emails before noon. Use the morning to focus on your next book, brainstorm ideas, or create your next great recipe.
Plan to do busy work, like emails and finances, during times that you are typically less creative and energized, but can power through tasks. For me that’s often after lunch.
Finally, enjoy social media when you are more relaxed and perhaps not as mentally sharp. I typically put in a half hour of social media in the morning, as my brain wakes up with a big mug of tea. Then I put in an hour or more at night while watching TV. It’s a little mindless and can be entertaining, so it fits right in with my downtime. I use schedulers like Tailwind for Pinterest, Hootsuite for Twitter and Instagram, and Facebook’s own scheduler for ensuring my social shares are spread throughout the day.
It Works, Trust Me!
By instigating the tips above, I finally finished my second book. In fact, I’m almost done with another one and have a fourth started. I’ve also completed two ebooks, I post daily on GoDairyFree.org, I work as a writer and editor for a magazine, I enjoy ongoing contract work with about a dozen brands, I average an hour of exercise per day, and my husband and I have started traveling (for fun) again.
Today my daily micro list has “check destinations for airline miles” and “walk to the park with Tony” on it. You can bet I’ll be accomplishing both of those.
* * *
Alisa Fleming is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, an Associate Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free publication, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook. Keep an eye out for her two new dairy-free books, to be released in 2018.
These are really thoughtful, valuable insights. I am struggling with getting back into the grove of working, since my Christmas break and being very sick. I will start using these strategies TODAY!
I think we all struggle with it sometimes JoAnn. I hope that my tips help, good luck and well wishes!
I could not love this any more! I also am very old school with my to-do lists. I have multiple notebooks for different purposes – one for planning, daily to-do’s, the kids, etc.
I thought I was the only one who wrote every detail down!!! Make bed, clean kitchen, laundry and take supplements are regulars on my to-do list.
I really need to do better at taking breaks to avoid burn-out and learning to schedule on peak performance. Thanks so much for sharing.
So happy that I can help Wendy – sounds like you have so much together already though!
Fantastic list. I love the micro-to-do list. I instituted the Getting Things Done system years ago and find it has really helped with my productivity. I have also taken short “perspective” breaks and also track where I actually make money. That helps me let go of things that I don’t enjoy that much that I felt I “should” be doing.
I love the idea of tracking where your income sources are Stephanie. This is definitely a great way to ensure increased success going forward.
Great article! I tend to combine my lists with a daily scheduler–all paper, too, of course! I think I need to start scheduling my micro-tasking, now, too. 🙂
Paper is still the BEST way to go in my opinion, so I’m with you!
Thanks for the great ideas. I can relate to your “make bed” to-do. My husband laughs at me but I’m with you on that one. I figure if the day goes south at least I get to slide into a nicely made bed and start fresh the next morning.
My husband laughed at me for a good 6 months on that one Vienette. Then he started loving the neat nightly bed and all the progress I was then making with work! I bet your husband secretly loves it, too, he just can’t admit it yet 🙂
I added many of your suggestions to my daily routine after hearing you speak at FABlogCon and it truly makes a difference. Thanks!
That’s awesome! So glad I could help Elizabeth!
These tips are incredibly smart and practical, Alisa! I’m with you about pen and paper – some things work better when we see them and have a tangible item to refer back to when needed. Now, come visit me, will you??? 😉
I agree; the art of actually writing has been lost on technology and it really makes these happen. And that would be awesome!
So helpful. I love number 4! I’m trying to work this around my time and lighting. I’m also trying to get things done in between and multitask. Trying to photograph things together when I can. I changed my workflow the end of last year and now trying to finalize and tweak what works best for me, which I know may change and often does.
Indeed. That’s the one thing I meant to mention, but my post was getting a little long already 🙂 We often have to re-evaluate what was once working to see if it still is. Change in our routine can shake things up in a good way.
It’s like you are reading my mind! I need to be more productive but get so distracted with internet and “mindless” things that should not be my focus. Thanks for the tips! I’m going LOW TECH for sure
It’s so easy to fall into that downward spiraling internet for all of us Lindsay!
GREAT advice about *NOT* taking a break… I did, and while I am excited to be back, there are some things that have changed and it is… weird. definitely a transition.
I love lists, and the fact that I have my workouts scheduled – tennis court times is an obvious one, running on my treadmill upstairs in my own house? I used to laugh at myself for that one, but I need to make sure I take the time to do it, or it may not happen.
great tips, Alisa – thank you!
I learned that one the hard way, too, Kristina, and actually long before blogging. My husband and I took sabbaticals on two separate occasions, and getting back into a career both times was beyond difficult. I’ve since learned that for most of us, vacations are a must, but sabbatical-like time-off with intent to go back to what we were doing can create many kinds of obstacles. I’m glad you are back though AND that I’m not the only one who schedules daily activity in 🙂
I’m glad you shared your back story too Alisa. When I’ve got the most to do is when I often feel overwhelmed and get least done. Adding ‘making bed’ to list is genius.
I hope it helps Sally and your definitely not alone. Overwhelm can cause a virtual paralysis for many of us. The doable lists and baby steps really do help to get things moving again.
These are such great tips, especially about micro tasks. This helps me tremendously when I have a super long to-do list. I tend to get overwhelmed and not do anything so breaking it down into manageable tasks works like a charm.
You and me both Lauren! Glad it works for you.
Alisa, I love how simple these steps are. It’s just a wonderful reminder of learning to not over complicate things and how to prioritize better. This comes at the most perfect time for me. Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom.
Glad I could hit the mark for you Nicole 🙂
These are all great steps/tips! This comes at a great time for a lot of bloggers I am sure! We can all use a reminder on how to stay or get back in our groove!
Indeed. I keep reminders for myself, too!
“my productivity soars when I use technology for producing rather than organizing”
I love this and I totally agree. I still handwrite lists and keep a jumbo wall calendar to organize. But when I really need to crank things out I trim my tech in producing too. I have to shut all my tabs if I’m at the computer or if I’m really struggling take a pen to paper and set a timer. That always works. Great ideas and good article. Thank you.
That is so true Sandra. Sometimes I have to take a full tech break to really get things done. I think our fast-paced society forgets that new isn’t always better 🙂
There are some great tips here. I love the idea of micro tasking. I definitely have to start doing that each morning.
I HIGHLY recommend it Rebecca.
Alisa,
Thank you for such a thoughtful post. You are such a dynamo; it’s great to see how you accomplish so much!
Aw, thank you so much Kim!
These are great tips!! I love the idea of micro tasking, I have started that a little bit and found it to be really helpful!
That’s fantastic Emily! I’m glad it’s working well for you.
I’ve always wondered how you get so much done, Alisa! It’s pretty amazing. I’m definitely all about using a paper planner and micro tasking. Breaking each task down into its parts. Of course, maybe I love checking things off, but hey, whatever works!
Oh you’re so not alone Kerri. Checking things off is what keeps me going! It doesn’t matter how small, just those little bursts of recognizing accomplishment can keep anyone motivated.
So many wonderful ideas here. Thank you Alisa….I have let my blog slide somewhat while trying to finish a book project (am nearly there now). I don’t know if I could have got this far with the book if I’d stayed on track with the blog, and I’m hoping readers will be somewhat forgiving. One thing I realized in 2016 was that the internet can be a killer…before you know it, you’ve lost an hour that you can never make up! I think I’m also finally realizing how much better I work when I am not multi-tasking,, i.e. checking e-mails, social media! I also love your ideas about microtasking: I don’t know how many times I’v felt like a failure because I accomplished 3/4 of a task instead of the whole task in a day! Crazy! Thank you so much for your post — it was great to read, particularly before I go back to work on Monday!
It sounds like you’ve been working on something related to your blog, so I’m sure you will have no trouble at all getting back into it Ilana. Just microtask your way into it 🙂 Social media is a definite killer! I’m actually going to have to scale back for book work soon, too. Priorities do come into play at times and I agree that multi-taking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! Thank you for sharing!
I am nearly a Luddite in my list-making, too. I don’t want another app on my phone or something else electronic to stare into.
My biggest time suck, however, is social media in the morning. I write best in the morning, but not until after I have had a little caffeine in me. Problem is, I open up Instagram and Facebook while having coffee and suddenly an hour is gone. And then I pop in and out of those all day, and the minute really add up. Must. Stop.