This document provides tips for effective multitasking and productivity. It recommends getting organized with to-do lists and task management systems. It also suggests taking advantage of time by multitasking during calls and meetings, being proactive by planning ahead, and tracking time to measure productivity. The document emphasizes completing tasks promptly, working when able, focusing without distractions, taking breaks to avoid burnout, eating well, and recharging to maintain energy.

1. Multitasking 101:
How to Get a Lot of Shit Done
in Not a Lot of Time
Michelle Montoya

2. A Little Bit About Me
• English teacher and Writing Center Director
• Editor for Reno Passport Magazine
• Internet marketing consultant
• College test prep teacher
• Freelance writer
• Creator and organizer of @TweetupRNO
• Gym owner and fighter manager
• Wife and mom

3. Find a System That Works for You
• Being able to get a lot done requires extreme
amounts of organization
• Play around with different
strategies to see exactly
what works for you
• You will never get anything
done if you don’t get
organized

4. Stay Organized - Simply
• Make to-do lists
– On your phone
– In a notebook
– On your hand

5. Stay Organized - Electronically
• Use task management / CRM systems
– The Hit List: Forget what
you need to do with
confidence
– Basecamp: The Better Way
To Get Projects Done
– Creative Pro Office: Project
Management, Time
Tracking, Invoicing, Quotes

6. Do More Than One Thing at a Time
• Take advantage of every minute of the day
• Seriously multitask
— Return emails while
on teleconferences
— Pay bills when on
hold with doctor's
office
— Think of ideas for
presentations while
taking a shower

7. Be Proactive
• Use foresight to think and act ahead
• Take precautions and develop secondary
plans
• Solve problems
instead of dwelling
on them
• Get ahead and stay
ahead

8. Track Your Time
• Keep track of your time to:
– Measure your own productivity
– Stay on track
• Tools:
– LiveTimer
– fourteenDayz

9. Complete Actionable Items
A.S.A.P.
• Return emails as soon as you get them
– Flag them for later date if necessary
• Listen to voicemails and return calls right
away
– Save as unread if needed
• Don’t wait until it’s too late
• Don’t forget to follow up
– Lose customers, clients,
friends, etc.

10. Do Things When You Have Time
• Don’t wait until they need to be done
• Free up time for yourself when you need it
most
• You never know what could come up between
now and the deadline
– Save yourself from
possible negative
outcomes

11. Location, Location, Location
• Work where you are most productive
• Consider location depending on type of work
– Individual: Work in office with door shut
– Collaborative: Work in open space or a collective
office
<Insert plug for
Reno Collective
here>

12. Give Ample Warning
• Tell people ahead of time any big projects
you’ll need concentration for
– Let them know you may not be answering calls or
emails right away
– Give them a heads up you might
not be the nicest person when
you’re hard at work

13. Utilize Your Networks
• Ask friends on social networking sites for help
– If you get stuck on working through your tasks,
ask friends/followers for suggestions
• Ask friends, family, coworkers for help
– Consult with others who’ve completed similar
projects or people with no idea for outside
perspective
– Ask them to help you stay on task

14. Stay Focused
• Schedule out entire day, including drive time,
meetings, lunch break, etc.
— Stick to your
schedule and
post for others to
see
— Turn off anything
that may distract
you from
concentrating

15. Take Breaks – Don’t Burn Out
• Schedule time off for yourself during the day
to do what you like to do
– If all you do is work all day every
day, you will burn yourself out
• Take a walk, meditate, play a
game, etc.

16. Don’t Forget to Eat
• Eat smart to stay smart throughout the day
– Fuel it up
– Graze all day
– Eat low glycemic foods
– Eat good fats
– Know yourself
• Best foods:
– Fruits, vegetables, grains

17. Plan Ahead
• Always know what is on your calendar for the
next day so you can be prepared
• Start planning the night before for the
following day
– Make lunch and
snacks
– Pack bag with
everything you’ll
need (computer,
papers, etc.)

18. Recharge Your Battery
• Do what you need to do to feel your best
every day
– Get enough sleep to wake up energized
– Repeat entire process
the next day

19. Recap
• How to Get a Lot of Shit Done:
– Get organized and stay organized
– Multitask
– Track your time
– Complete actionable items now
– Do things when you have time
– Work where you’re productive
– Warn others and ask for help
– Stay focused
– Take breaks and eat well
– Plan ahead and recharge your battery

20. Find Me and Friend Me
• http://twitter.com/michellereno
• http://facebook.com/michellereno
• http://michellereno.com