Website Design Blog. Evoart

Lets be honest, there are so many distractions online that sometimes it can be a real struggle to sit down and focus on the job or jobs at hand. Getting things done (GTD) is essential if you want to succeed in the workplace. Im going to share with you ten tips that I use, or that I have read about and am currently trying to implement into my working day, that will help you be much more productive - guaranteed!

10. Process your inbox only at set times.

We all hate it when we’re interrupted by a relentless barrage of emails, just as we’re getting really stuck into a project. You don’t have to let these emails affect your work at all. Its simple - only check your emails about four times a day. When you do though, be sure you process your entire inbox. Obviously you need to be careful with this and not forget completely about your mail, as you could well an important message waiting for you, and you don’t want to anger your clients. Just get into the habit of checking your inbox four times a day and you’ll notice just how more productive you can be.

9. Only have two tabs open in Firefox.

I love Firefox. Without a shadow of a doubt its a superb browser, but it does have one brilliant feature that stops me concentrating on my work. Thats the ability to so easily open sites in new tabs. A quick press of ‘Apple + T’ and there you have it, another site open in a new tab thats preventing you from getting on with the job at hand. If you discipline yourself to only have two tabs open at any one time I guarantee you’ll get so much more done.

8. Write down all tasks at the beginning of the week.

Getting things down on paper might seem a bit old fashioned in this day and age, but I personally find its something that helps me get things done. The fact that I can see what Ive got lined up for the rest of the week when I come into work Monday morning, means I can prioritise my tasks and plan out my week - even though the unexpected does often occurs! Give it a go, I highly recommend it.

7. Create layout templates & store code you use often.

Do you find yourself getting fed up coding the same structure every time you come to begin coding a site? Save yourself 10-15 minutes each time by storing all the possible kinds of layouts, two column, three column, fluid and elastic on your computer. Blank CSS might be of use for you here, but most of the templates I store are even simpler than these and just include a really basic framework of the layout.

6. Develop a routine

When your designing you don’t want to get into a routine. Try your utmost to avoid it, or all your sites will begin to look similar. But when your coding from scratch getting in a routine can shave hours off the time it takes you to complete the build of a site.

5. Keep your workspace tidy

I hate clutter and mess. I blame my mother for installing it in me, although she’ll beg to differ that I like tidiness! A clean workplace gives you a clear mind and a sense of freshness ready to tackle anything the working day can throw at you. Perhaps your working through your in-tray? Make sure once you’ve completed each task you throw the paper out unless its absolutely necessary to keep it. If you can process your work this way its much more satisfying.

There a lot to be said for a clutter free desktop and computer in general. Organise your files and you’ll be suprised how much time you’ll save hunting around for things. You’ll also save someone else a shed load of time if they’re working on your computer.

4. Get your important tasks done first and in the morning.

Studies have proved that your much more productive in the morning. Take advantage of this and complete the more challenging tasks on your to do list first thing in the morning. If you do this you’ll have a much more productive day, as when your brain begins to tire in the afternoon you’ll be able to tie up all those small lose end tasks, rather than attempting to begin a new layout or something similar that requires more brain power.

3. Set yourself deadlines.

If you tend to work without any real purpose, you can find yourself jumping from one project to another without really getting anything done. However, if you give each project a deadline (even if it doesn’t have one set by the client and yourself) you’ve given yourself a target for completion. Remember to always be realistic with your deadlines. When you meet them and can cross each project off your list, its a great feeling and you feel like your really getting things done.

2. Single Task.

Screw multi tasking - its so much less efficient! Ive never understood why people think its clever to multi task. It requires you to think more, but less about doing each task well if you know what I mean? If you working away at one task you can put your full though into it, and you’re so much less likely to make an error.

1. Create a To-Do List.

You might have guessed it as Ive been raving about lists this entire post! To-do lists are an essential item to boost your productivity. The fact that you can physically cross off items once you’ve done them is surprisingly satisfying. Of course you have to actually carry out the items on your to-do lists, as its no good just writing things down. The best way to do this is to simply work your way methodically through the tasks, get a big fat pen out, and cross them out once your done!

Final thoughts…

I hope this post has given you a little insight into some of the productivity tips I try to use everyday, and that it will help you get twice as much done without feeling as stressed as you might have done before. If you try implementing these tips into your life as a web designer I guarentee you will be more productive. If you use a different productivity method, then please share it with me in the comments below.

Further reading on Productivity

46 Must Read Productivity Tips for Freelancers
A Permanently Clear Desk
Top 10 Productivity Hacks