For many, including me, productivity is massively dampened when around the computer. Here are 15 ways to be more productive around your computer, in no particular order.

  1. RSS Reform - Group your RSS feeds into Productive and non-Productive, and then browse only the productive. Or better yet, delete the non-productive.
  2. Desktop Reorganization- Take all the stuff off of your computer’s desktop and organize it. Don’t just put it in a folder on your desktop, put it where it belongs(music, pictures, documents). If it doesn’t belong anywhere or you don’t need it anymore, delete it. This will make your computer run faster and free up hard drive space.
  3. Icons Bonanza- take your IM, Twitterrific, and games icons off your desktop or dock. If you’re running Windows, take them off you’re quick launch bar as well. 
  4. Do It Now- Don’t procrastinate. Really. Please. Don’t. If you promise yourself you’ll just do something later, you’ll probably stay up later, taking away from your sleep, and making you less happy.
  5. Time Yourself- limit yourself to fifteen to thirty minutes for a task, and document what you are doing at what time. After you’re done with that task, go back and see if there was anything you could have done faster. If so, take mental note of it for next time. Once you feel that you can’t do a task any faster, just time yourself and make sure you get the task done.
  6. Cut the Tubes- Unplug your computer from the internet. If you have wireless internet, disable the connection on Windows, or turn off Airport on a mac. 
  7. Cut the Tubes pt 2- Turn off your Phone, PDA, etc.
  8. Blogging- Set time aside for blogging. Don’t take time out of your work time to blog.
  9. Finish What Your Start- Once you start something, finish it. Don’t interrupt it by checking a website or playing a game. 
  10. Time of Day- Figure out what time you work best and spend that time doing your most important work, either away from your computer or using the tips above.
  11. Prioritize- Do the most important tasks first, then focus on the less important tasks. Or the other way around. You can use the less important tasks as a “warm up” and then focus on the most important tasks. Whatever floats your boat.
  12.  Take Breaks- Go outside, have a breath of fresh air. If you can take your work outside where you’ll have less distractions, I recommend doing it.
  13.  Just Do less- If you plan to do less, chances are you’ll get it all done. Getting everything done will give you free time, and will also make you satisfied with yourself.
  14. Nuke it- Just turn off your computer. Shut down. Don’t just put it in sleep mode. And keep it off until you are done with your work. Chances are, if you get a sudden impulse to check BarnesandNoble.com or Wikipedia.org, you won’t want to wait for the machine to boot up and will just go back to work.  
  15. Read fewer productivity articles- what works for one person may not work for you. You may still be distracted even if you follow all the steps listed here. The key is to get ideas from articles like this one, and come up with your own solutions to your productivity needs.