By SPREADABLE MAGAZINE

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Whatsapp sounds, we just realize that we forgot to defrost the milanese from the freezer. Meanwhile, the washing machine finishes its cycle, we have to hang the clothes, and two new messages enter our mailbox. Did the bell ring here, or next door? Does the cat have water?

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Yes, the home office.  The home office. All technology at the service of the worker.

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At Untable Magazine we did the New York Time Programs "Be More Productive in 7 days" experience. Here I  We summarize and comment on it.  If you can not concentrate even 5 minutes in a row, enter this  mental gym.

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Day 1. Commit 10 minutes
Pick just one task from your list, and do it for 10 minutes with full concentration. That is: no interruptions . If you find it convenient, notify the people you live with of these 10 minutes. Do not stop to check your emails, your cell phone or to surf the internet. Examples: "Pay installment X", "Prepare the budget for X", etc.  

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• Spreadable comments...  Before going to work, provide yourself with everything you need so you don't have to get up after 5 minutes: water, mate, fruit or cookies, a notepad, pens. Whatever you need!

Day 2. Make a realistic to-do list
I only included tasks that you know you can do today. The more specific and smaller the tasks, the better . Write your list on paper, or on screen: but only choose one of these two modalities. Maximum 12 tasks. Examples: "Send an email to X", "Update the text of section X of our website", etc.

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• Spreadable comments...  If the micro-task allows it, put your computer in airplane mode and silence your cell phone. Don't look at it every so often "to see what happens".

Day 3. Connect your body and mind
Take a moment to think about your posture, your breathing, and your movement. Check that your back is straight against the seat, do not lean forward when looking at the screen, keep your shoulders low and relaxed. Only then, start your 10 continuous minutes of work, then stop, and go back to the desk. Throughout the day, take super short breaks to stand or walk every 15-20 minutes .

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• Untable comments... Start your workday with at least 2 hours away from meals: if you manage to get a clean and jerk, you won't have to cut half an hour to have lunch  or have dinner
 

Day 4. Get over the noise
When you get to work, close all sessions (mail, social networks, and a long etcetera). Silence your cell phone or keep it in a drawer . You can check emails or whatsapp once every hour, but only for 10 minutes. Leave the response of emails that are not urgent for the end of the day. Dedicate them only 20 minutes.

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• Untable comments... Your pen is still on the desk, don't look for it in the drawer...

Day 5. Find a partner
I chose a difficult task from your list. Define what specific action you can do today to fulfill part of that task: for example, write a 1000-word report, or update 3 sections of your website. The fun part: find a responsible partner (a friend, a family member or a co-worker). Let him know, set a deadline and give him the result of your task.

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• Spreadable comments... Set yourself dead-lines like when you had a delivery for school or college. 

Day 6. Increase your focus
Challenge: work 2 hours in a row in a concentrated and uninterrupted way. For this, incorporate all the previous techniques.

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• Spreadable comments...  Although it seems little, concentrating 2 hours in a row on a single task  it is quite an achievement.

Day 7. Look to the future
Moment to reflect. What changes did you achieve this week? Congratulate yourself on your achievements, and forgive yourself for not always reaching all your goals . Express your gratitude to all the people who helped you this week. Write down on a piece of paper 3 new habits that have worked for you, and leave the paper in plain view on your desk or office.  

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• Spreadable comments...  When you finish your work, pamper yourself and treat yourself: take a bubble bath, eat something delicious, and get out of the screen and out of the chair.

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Source: "Be More Productive in 7 Days", New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/programs/productivity-challenge

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Photos: SPREADABLE MAGAZINE.

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