I've decided to start a new periodic series of posts: Elf Tips about various things. I'll write posts highlighting some of my favorite tips and you can add yours in the comments.

Today's topic: Productivity. What tips will help you be more productive about getting things done:

• Make a list. (You knew that was coming, didn't you?) A list helps in two ways. First, you never lose time wondering what you should do next. It's right on your list. Second, when you are engaged in a task and you think of something that has to be done, you can just add it to your list for later, rather than interrupting the rhythm of your work.
• Newton was right. An object in motion tends to stay in motion and an object at rest tends to stay at rest. Resist the temptation to take little breaks (just to catch this show or to read the paper or to answer this email, etc.) while engaged in a task. Instead, let momentum work for you. Plow through as much as you possibly can before time and energy run out. Then rest.
• Use the little bits of time well. 5 or 10 minutes here and there may not seem like much, but over the course of a week, you're talking about hours. I'd rather use those bits of time to do dishes, fold laundry, sweep the floor, pay bills, etc., and keep the hours for things I love.
• Know what distracts you. Do you need to turn off your email notification? The television? Hide your cell phone? Why set yourself up to fail? On the other hand, maybe loud music helps you clean faster because you try to keep the beat.
• Do things once. There is no point in doing something shoddily and then having to redo it. Or to moving things from one holding place to another without disposing of them properly. You'll never be at your most productive if it takes you three tries to do a simple task.
• Put things back where they belong and in usable condition. Looking for and prepping your tools wastes time and energy.
• Do like tasks together. Take out the trash AND the recycling. Sweep the living room and the hall. Prep all the veggies you need for dinner. Doing more of a single task lets you develop a rhythm that will help you be more productive.

So, what are your tips?