When you have a mile-long to-do list, it’s human nature to try and knock out multiple items at once. It feels like you’re being productive and maximizing your time, but you usually only end up depleting your energy and creativity. When you want to get more done and be truly productive, single-tasking is often the way to go.

John Rampton, co-founder and CEO of Calendar, says that while it seems like a pipe dream to work on only one thing at a time, it’s possible to have great success with this strategy. On his company blog, Rampton wrote about the Einstein principle. According to this principle, we are most productive when we dedicate time to focus on only one or two projects.

Can’t whittle down your workload? Try a productivity purge instead. This allows you to get as close as possible to the Einstein principle. In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we share Rampton’s guidance on how to complete a productivity purge and make tangible progress on your to-do list.

Reassess your schedule. Even if your workdays typically flow well, you may not be on the right course. Routines give some structure to your day, but they also allow you to slip into autopilot mode. Rampton recommends asking yourself if you are working when you have the most energy and if you are getting closer to any of your short-term or long-term goals. Look for ways to delegate or delete certain tasks from your list. There’s no such thing as a perfect schedule, but you can boost your productivity by scheduling your priorities.

Eliminate old tasks. Do you have lingering items on your to-do list that you keep moving over from week to week or month to month? According to Rampton, these items are clutter. It’s best to scratch them off your list and refocus on what is most important and urgent. Save the important but not pressing tasks for another time.

Tidy up. The next step in a productivity purge is a literal purge. Get rid of junk that’s cluttering up your workspace. Clean up your digital workspace, too. Organize emails and digital files so you know where to find them. Rampton encourages thinking like a chef and practicing mise en place. This French culinary term means “everything in its place.”

Be choosy about what you consume. Always being tuned into social media or your emails can cause information overload. When left unchecked, this can hinder your productivity and performance, says Rampton. Watch how you spend your time and what you read when you’re online. Try setting a time limit for gathering information or browsing social feeds. This way you don’t waste hours of your day and you don’t feel deprived of news.

Take a cue from Marie Kondo. Another step in a productivity purge is to ask, “Does this bring joy?” Just like Marie Kondo would have you ask about joy when organizing your home, this question can also help when organizing your calendar. If a coffee date or informal get-together doesn’t enthuse you, don’t be afraid to decline. The event may not be a priority for you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch up with the other person at a different time.

Let go of stress. The last step in a productivity purge is to eliminate as much stress as possible from your life. When you are stressed, you are hurting your productivity and your overall well-being, says Rampton. While you can’t cut out all stress, you can identify your triggers so you can work to remove them. You can also try ways to self-soothe, such as going for a walk around the block or meditating for five minutes.

If you’ve never completed a productivity purge, try doing one in the next month. You might be surprised at how much progress you can make with a few simple adjustments.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: John Rampton is co-founder and CEO of Calendar.