Rock Your Productivity - Find the Right Triggers

My cleaning lady is one of my best taskmasters, because her visit is an important trigger for me. Every other Monday, I quickly scan my home for what shouldn't be there and deal with it right then and there. Her impending arrival provides a deadline I can't ignore.

My home office is the last area she cleans, giving me the impetus to catch up on my filing and focus on what can be removed from my desk.

The same goes for my clients - at least 90% of them complete the 'homework' agreed upon at our previous meeting just before I arrive for our next meeting.

Registration deadlines are another powerful time management trigger. How many emails and flyers sit in your inbox or on your desk because you might want to attend? A quick way to clear them is to note the registration deadline on your calendar, followed by a [p] to indicate you have placed the document in a file labeled 'Pending' (alternatively, in Outlook and some other electronic calendars, you can just drag the email into the deadline date on your calendar). You now have a trigger on your calendar to remind you the decision has to be made that day. Wow! Enjoy your clear desk, inbox and mind.

Share the triggers that work for you in a comment. Your gem may just rock someone else's productivity!