Being Productive

This one is more of a book report, so to speak, of an article I read that I wanted to capture. It's pretty obvious, but I'd still like to keep the list. So, here goes. This list is 8 facts that just knowing will make you more productive. This is the original link.

So here's the list:

1. Simply starting a task will make it much easier to finish
2. Multitasking is actually impossible and you should probably stop trying to do it.
3. Your willpower is a finite resource that can be used up more quickly than you realize.
4. Small mindless tasks, like checking Facebook, can trick your brain into thinking it's accomplished something worthwhile.
5. Shorter, more focused bursts of work will make sure you aren't diluting your energy.
6. Writing a realistic to-do list of goals and deadlines in the morning can keep you focused.
7. Sleep allows you to recharge and enables ideas to materialize in your head naturally.
8. Good, old-fashioned practice is still the most effective path to becoming more productive. There are no perfect shortcuts!

Nothing earthshattering here, but pretty obvious. I do believe there is some variation due to personalities, but generally correct.

6 Things to Do Each Day

  While I'm doing lists, I saw this list compiled by Amber Rae from Fast Company. Her list is 6 Simple Rituals to Reach Your Potential Every Day. I like her list, so here's an excerpt of the list:

1. Drink a glass of water when you wake up. Your body loses water while you sleep, so you’re naturally dehydrated in the morning. A glass of water when you wake helps start your day fresh. When do you drink your first glass of water each day?

2. Define your top 3. Every morning Mike asks himself, “What are the top three most important tasks that I will complete today?” He prioritizes his day accordingly and doesn’t sleep until the Top 3 are complete. What’s your "Top 3" today?

3. The 50/10 Rule. Solo-task and do more faster by working in 50/10 increments. Use a timer to work for 50 minutes on only one important task with 10 minute breaks in between. Mike spends his 10 minutes getting away from his desk, going outside, calling friends, meditating, or grabbing a glass of water. What’s your most important task for the next 50 minutes?

4. Move and sweat daily. Regular movement keeps us healthy and alert. It boosts energy and mood, and relieves stress. Most mornings you’ll find Mike in a CrossFit or a yoga class. How will you sweat today?

5. Express gratitude. Gratitude fosters happiness, which is why Mike keeps a gratitude journal. Every morning, he writes out at least five things he’s thankful for. In times of stress, he’ll pause and reflect on 10 things he’s grateful for. What are you grateful for today?

6. Reflect daily. Bring closure to your day through 10 minutes of reflection. Mike asks himself, “What went well?” and “What needs improvement?” So... what went well today? How can you do more of it?

120 Days of the Book of Mormon

So, January 2nd of the new year, so here's a list (sort of). It's a list of reading assignments to read the Book of Mormon in 4 months. Or 120 days. I'll have to see if I can find one for each of the other standard works for the rest of the year.

Jan 1 1 Nephi 1-3
Jan 2 1 Nephi 4-7
Jan 3 1 Nephi 8-9
Jan 4 1 Nephi 10-11
Jan 5 1 Nephi 12-13
Jan 6 1 Nephi 14
Jan 7 1 Nephi 15
Jan 8 1 Nephi 16-17
Jan 9 1 Nephi 18
Jan 10 1 Nephi 19
Jan 11 1 Nephi 20-22
Jan 12 2 Nephi 1
Jan 13 2 Nephi 2
Jan 14 2 Nephi 3-4
Jan 15 2 Nephi 5-6
Jan 16 2 Nephi 7-8
Jan 17 2 Nephi 9
Jan 18 2 Nephi 10-12
Jan 19 2 Nephi 13-15
Jan 20 2 Nephi 16-20
Jan 21 2 Nephi 21-23
Jan 22 2 Nephi 24-25
Jan 23 2 Nephi 26
Jan 24 2 Nephi 27-28
Jan 25 2 Nephi 29-30
Jan 26 2 Nephi 31-33
Jan 27 Jacob 1-2
Jan 28 Jacob 3-4
Jan 29 Jacob 5
Jan 30 Jacob 6-7
Jan 31 Enos & Jarom
Feb 1 Words of Mormon
Feb 2 Mosiah 1-2
Feb 3 Mosiah 3
Feb 4 Mosiah 4-5
Feb 5 Mosiah 6-8
Feb 6 Mosiah 9-10
Feb 7 Mosiah 11-12
Feb 8 Mosiah 13-15
Feb 9 Mosiah 16-17
Feb 10 Mosiah 18-19
Feb 11 Mosiah 20-21
Feb 12 Mosiah 22-23
Feb 13 Mosiah 24-26
Feb 14 Mosiah 27
Feb 15 Mosiah 28-29
Feb 16 Alma 1-2
Feb 17 Alma 3-4
Feb 18 Alma 5
Feb 19 Alma 6-7
Feb 20 Alma 8-9
Feb 21 Alma 10
Feb 22 Alma 11-12
Feb 23 Alma 13
Feb 24 Alma 14-15
Feb 25 Alma 16-17
Feb 26 Alma 18
Feb 27 Alma 19-20
Feb 28 Alma 21-22
Mar 1 Alma 23-24
Mar 2 Alma 25-26
Mar 3 Alma 27-28
Mar 4 Alma 29-30
Mar 5 Alma 31
Mar 6 Alma 32-33
Mar 7 Alma 34
Mar 8 Alma 35-36
Mar 9 Alma 37-38
Mar 10 Alma 39-40
Mar 11 Alma 41-42
Mar 12 Alma 43
Mar 13 Alma 44-45
Mar 14 Alma 46
Mar 15 Alma 47
Mar 16 Alma 48-49
Mar 17 Alma 50
Mar 18 Alma 51-52
Mar 19 Alma 53-54
Mar 20 Alma 55-56
Mar 21 Alma 57
Mar 22 Alma 58-59
Mar 23 Alma 60-61
Mar 24 Alma 62-63
Mar 25 Helaman 1-2
Mar 26 Helaman 3-4
Mar 27 Helaman 5
Mar 28 Helaman 6-7
Mar 29 Helaman 8-9
Mar 30 Helaman 10-11
Mar 31 Helaman 12-13
Apr 1 Helaman 14
Apr 2 Helaman 15-16
Apr 3 3 Nephi 1-2
Apr 4 3 Nephi 3-4
Apr 5 3 Nephi 7-8
Apr 6 3 Nephi 9-10
Apr 7 3 Nephi 11-12
Apr 8 3 Nephi 13-15
Apr 9 3 Nephi 16-17
Apr 10 3 Nephi 18-19
Apr 11 3 Nephi 20
Apr 12 3 Nephi 21-23
Apr 13 3 Nephi 24-27
Apr 14 3 Nephi 28-30
Apr 15 4 Nephi
Apr 16 Mormon 1-2
Apr 17 Mormon 3-4
Apr 18 Mormon 5-6
Apr 19 Mormon 7-9
Apr 20 Ether 1-2
Apr 21 Ether 3-4
Apr 22 Ether 5-7
Apr 23 Ether 8-9
Apr 24 Ether 10-11
Apr 25 Ether 12-13
Apr 26 Ether 14-15
Apr 27 Moroni 1-4
Apr 28 Moroni 5-7
Apr 29 Moroni 8-9
Apr 30 Moroni 10