Want to Amplify Productivity? Use a Whiteboard (Yes, Really)

In this age of fast-paced, high-tech living, it’s easy to turn to technology when we need to increase our production. Surely, there must be an organizational app that will boost our productivity? After all, there seems to be an app for everything. But what if the secret to amplifying productivity lies not in technology? What if a whiteboard is an answer? Whiteboards allow you to keep track of important information without the temptation to jump online if you’re using a digital app, and they are much more eco-friendly and easier to keep track of than paper notes. If you’re interested in giving “whiteboarding” a try, here are 4 tips that can help.

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Divide Your Whiteboard into Sections

The sections you choose will depend on what you use the whiteboard for. Students may want to list their class schedule in one section and daily assignments and upcoming tests in another. A section for after-school and weekend activities may also be helpful. If you’re using a whiteboard in the office, you may want to divide it into categories like “Daily Tasks,” “Priority” (tasks that must be completed within the week), “Soon” (tasks due in the next 3 weeks), and “Horizon” (tasks that are on your radar but are 30 days or more from being due).

Prioritize Daily Tasks

Organize tasks for the day according to their priority. For school, this may mean completing those assignments with an earlier due date first. At work, you should complete tasks due by the end of business first thing in the morning. As you complete your daily tasks, remove them from your list. I prefer to strike them out by drawing lines through rather than erase them. Seeing the list of completed tasks grow throughout the day is a great motivator… so leave them there until the end of the day, then erase and update your board for the next day.

Keep Your Whiteboard Close

When I say close, I mean your whiteboard should be easily visible from your computer. The ideal spot would be on the wall just behind your computer screen, so it is within reach as you work. Another option is to keep a smaller whiteboard on your desk to add tasks and strike out completed work easily.

Update Regularly

A whiteboard can only improve productivity if you use it correctly, so budge time into your schedule to allow for updating before you sign out for the day. Erase all those lovely, completed tasks (patting yourself for a job well done as you do) and move items from your “Priority” column over to “Daily Tasks” for the following day. Do the same thing with your “Soon” and “Horizon” columns, if applicable. Doing so allows you walk away from work with a clear understanding of what needs to take place when you return the following day and lets you see how the rest of your week is shaping up. GET A WHITEBOARD now Whiteboards aren’t a technological achievement, but they offer a concrete way to stay organized and prioritize tasks to accomplish the most important things first. Give whiteboarding a try—you just might be amazed by your improvement in productivity and the reduction of stress in your life.