The last thing we will discuss in this info-series is browser add-ons. Set yourself up for success while browsing the Internet for work, with browser add-ons. Options vary depending on browser, so we’ll cover the two most popular ones: Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

GOOGLE CHROME ADD-ONS

StayFocusd

This add-on allows you to limit the time you spend on certain websites. Is Facebook killing your productivity? Add it to the list in this add-on, and you’ll be kicked out after you’ve hit your time limit! If you really need to buckle down, use the “Nuclear Option” to block time-wasting websites all together, limiting your browsing capacity only to the websites you need for work.

Cool Clock

This handy browser add-on gives you a clock, calendar, hourly desktop time notifications, an alarm, and a timer. Find out how long it takes you to do a certain task. Use it to track time for billing clients. Remind yourself when it’s time to move on to the next task.

Todo.ly

This is a task management tool. Use this to make your nightly to do list, and manage it online from anywhere. Need to work on the go? Forgot your to do list? No problem! Computer crash? No problem!

MOZILLA FIREFOX ADD-ONS

Idderall

This is the same thing as StayFocusd for Chrome. It will help you block time wasting websites, so you can focus on getting your tasks accomplished.

Simple Timer

Find out how long you’re spending doing various tasks every day. It’ll help you see how you’re managing your time (are you spending an hour every day playing games on Facebook?) and could be useful in calculating the amount of time you are spending on a project for client billing purposes.

Prevent Tab Overflow

If you’re researching, or doing anything online that requires you have multiple tabs open, it can be a pain in the neck to constantly bounce back and forth trying to find the tab you need. With this add-on, all of your tabs will stay visible, so you do not have to waste time scrolling through everything. Keep in mind, however, the more tabs you have open, the slower your computer/browser typically runs. You are usually better off with fewer tabs open.

A NOTE ON MULTI-TASKING…

Before we let you get started making yourself more productive, here’s one last important tip. Multi-tasking, though it sounds great and may make you feel like you are getting more done, is actually counterproductive. Have you ever tried to talk on the phone and write an email at the same time? You either end up almost completely ignoring the conversation, or typing words you speak on the phone rather than what you mean to say in the email. Your brain cannot do both, and must choose which one to focus its attention on. While you think you may be doing two things at once, you’re only rapidly switching your attention back and forth between them, and in the process you are sacrificing speed and accuracy.

Research shows that when the brain multi-tasks, less attention is spread across more tasks, making it easier to get distracted, and to mess up what you’re doing. So, instead of trying to do five things at once, do one thing at a time until you’re finished with your list. Also, try to group all like tasks together because it makes it harder for your brain if you are constantly switching back and forth between unrelated tasks.

PRODUCTIVITY INFO-SERIES CONCLUSION

Well I hope you have learned a lot these past 8 days that you have been reading this info-series. If you missed any posts, simply click on the “Productivity” Category near the bottom of this page.

Now you’re ready to go implement these tactics and make yourself more productive! By making just a few changes to your office setup and the way you run your business you can save yourself precious hours, ensuring you’re making the most of the time you have.

With that in mind, go forth and be productive! Thanks for reading 🙂

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