How to Make Things Happen

There are several steps you can take to identify specific things that need to be addressed, organize your thoughts, and prioritize your tasks. These steps can help increase your productivity on your own and in cooperative environments. Start by taking some active steps to improve time management, but don't forget to maintain a productive mindset and communicate clearly with everyone you're working with as well.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Increasing Your Productivity

  1. Lists will help you identify, organize, and set about approaching the things you need to accomplish in order to make things happen. Reassess the importance of everything on your list constantly. Your responsibilities, as well as the priority level of certain responsibilities in your life, are constantly changing. Keep your lists ordered according to both the time each task needs to be accomplished, as well as the level of priority each task holds. [1]
    • Give your lists clear titles. For instance, you may have a list of the things you need to accomplish today, and another list of tasks regarding everything needs to be done regarding a certain project you're working on.
    • Use Google Spreadsheets or another online application to keep track of any lists you keep, as you'll then be able to check and edit these lists from any device connected to the world wide web.
    • See the wikiHow article on how to make lists for more specific guidance regarding using lists to increase your productivity.
  2. While you likely need to spend time answering emails every day, it's also quite likely that you're spending more time in your inbox than is necessary, let alone productive. Each day, set aside a block to time to answer emails, and try not to do so outside of that block of time. [2] For instance, spend the first 30 minutes of the day answering emails. Then spend the last 15 minutes of the workday doing the same.
    • Consider setting up “push” notifications on your phone that will notify you each time you receive an email and show you only the subject line. This way, you can catch important emails quickly, while putting off a response to less important emails until a designated time. Turn these notifications off, however, if you find that they distract you.
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  3. Pretty much everyone who works on a computer wastes time on social media websites – be it Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr, Reddit, and/or Google Chat. Similarly, it's very easily to get distracted by a Wikipedia article full or interesting links, your preferred entertainment news source, or a tweet from your favorite athlete. If any of these ring a bell, considering uninstalling the apps for the most prevalent culprits from your phone. Definitely delete any bookmarks off of your work computer that lead to wasted time. [3]
    • Cut back on screen entertainment at home too. Not only does watching TV keep you from doing something more productive, is decreases the amount of activity you would get otherwise. Instead of plopping down on the couch when you get home from work, see if any of your friends want to hang at a park or hit the gym.
  4. Just as your priorities and responsibilities will shift, so too will your ideas and plans regarding how to approach the specific tasks you need to complete. In order to keep track of the thoughts and ideas you have regarding projects or tasks you're working one, record anything that comes to mind immediately.
    • Make a voice recording, write a note, or send an email sent to yourself; the important thing is to train yourself not to rely on your memory alone, especially while balancing multiple responsibilities!
  5. Trying to do too much can actually reduce your ability to make things happen. One way to do this is by simply declining to take on additional work when asked to perform a task you know you do not have time for. While it may feel as though you're doing something wrong by saying no, it actually indicates maturity and responsibility when you can comfortably and accurately assess what's appropriate for you to take on or turn down. Additionally, multi-tasking also cuts down on productivity. Taking time for each ensures it's getting the full attention it needs.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Keeping a Productive Mindset

  1. In many ways, how you use your time is the most significant factor that affects your productivity. Accordingly, get in the practice of viewing your time as a valuable commodity that you should only spend on worthwhile endeavors. To help get into a corresponding mindset, start asking yourself, “Is this productive?” throughout the day. This will help identify things you might be doing – including that chat around the water-cooler – that might be eating up valuable time. [4]
    • Quit going to meetings you don't need to attend. If possible, designate a few days of your workweek to “meeting free” days where you can focus on high-priority tasks.
  2. Even in circumstances of uncertainly, do not allow an inability to make a decision prevent you from moving forward. When faced with an X or Y decision that you're unsure of, go with whichever option you're leaning towards and act on your decision in the way that you believe will help you accomplish what you've set out to do. [5]
    • Making a decision does not necessarily bind you to one course of action; it simply keeps you working towards your goal. You can always reassess a situation and act accordingly at any point.
    • Recognize that doing nothing is a decision in itself. Remind yourself of this fact to motivate yourself to come up with a better option.
  3. Hold yourself accountable . It's admittedly easier to slack on accomplishing tasks that only affect you. However, your personal contentment is heavily affected by the degree to which you keep the commitments you make to yourself. Accordingly, strengthen your sense of self-confidence by maintaining discipline and avoid letting yourself off the hook.
    • More directly, if you tell yourself you're going to accomplish X by a certain day or time, make sure to do so.
    • Meeting your personal expectations will mean making personal sacrifices. Know that those sacrifices are well worth it, as they will translate into a more confidence and more productivity.
  4. Think about a specific problem you would like to address. Write it down, even if it's very general. For instance, your problem may be: “I'm struggling to make things happen.” This issue is hard to address when framed so broadly, and you're likely making assumptions that are preventing you from recognizing what's diminishing your productivity. Ask yourself “Why am I struggling to make things happen?” [6]
    • On the next line, right down as specific an answer as you can come up with.
    • Look at what you've written. Can you act on your answer?
    • If no actionable steps come to mind, as yourself “why?” again, and until you identify a specific task that you can act on immediately.
  5. The power of a positive attitude cannot be overstated. Most importantly, the attitude you exude effects the mood and productivity of those around you. Accordingly, push any negative thoughts away as soon as they arise. For instance, replace thoughts laced in doubt or frustration by re-framing your thoughts about a scenario or relationship in a positive way. [7]
    • As an example: A co-worker continues to slack on something, which leads you to think something along the lines of "here we go again." Recognize the negativity in your thought, and think of a positive spin on the scenario. Have they been working a bit more diligently lately, despite this recent slip?
    • Articulate positive thoughts that arise. Tell your co-worker, "Hey, I noticed you've been putting in extra effort lately, and I appreciate it!" This will motivate them to stay on top of their responsibilities.
    • Further, choose to spend time around positive people. When someone is a consistent drag on moral of productivity, consider increasing your distance from them, at least professionally. Negativity can be toxic, not only to your mood, but to your ability to get things done.
  6. If there is an emotion-based reason, including fear, that is keeping you from making things happen in your life, address your emotional health directly. Consider seeing a mental health professional to talk about anything that's bothering you, or any issues you may be having concentrating or communicating.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Working Collaboratively

  1. When you're working together on something, make a point of talking to those who will be involved in making it happen. Open communication about who is responsible for what will help improve the ease and effectiveness with which everyone involved is able to complete their specific tasks.
    • You want to maximize the productivity of the time everyone spends working on something, and this requires direct and frequent communication. Don't hesitate to say things such as, “How can reassign tasks to improve our overall productivity? Perhaps I can help with _____?”
    • State how your feel about the tasks you are assigned, and request any assistance that would increase overall productivity. For instance, “I think we could hit these goals more effectively if these responsibilities are shared.”
  2. Articulate the ways in which someone may be doing something that diminishes your productivity. If someone is doing something that makes what you're doing harder, talk to them about it as soon as possible. More generally, don't sugarcoat your opposition or frustration if there's a persistent obstacle to getting something done. Instead, be honest and straightforward.
    • Be polite, of course, but also make sure that everyone clearly and specifically speaks their mind when there are opposing perspectives on how to proceed. This will diminish potential resentment later on.
    • Try saying something along the lines of “I think we may be more effective as a team if _______.”
    • Expect others to do the same, and receive these discussions respectfully.
  3. Distinguish between the “decision-making process” and the “making things happen process” in order to keep everyone working towards your shared responsibilities. Whether you're leading a team, a team-member on a cooperative project, or following another's lead, you need to operate according to concrete decisions. If you don't agree with a particular decision, voice your perspective to ensure your perspective is considered, but understand that whatever a decision is, you must operate accordingly.
    • More to the point: know and accept your role on a team. Even if you are not a part of a formal decision-making process, your contributions may be vital to the “actually making it happen process.”
    • Further, if you're looking to earn a decision-making role, demonstrate you're capable of getting things done and your productivity will be recognized accordingly.
  4. Another important aspect of open communication is the degree to which this will help everyone know who needs to be involved, and what is needed from each person in particular. If you're leading a team, assign every specific task that needs to be accomplished to someone who will be responsible for ensuring it is completed.
    • Assign tasks based on interests and perspectives conveyed in group meetings.
    • Make sure everyone knows what everyone else is responsible for, as this will increase everyone's motivation to tackle their personal tasks.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you make things happen?
    Tracey Rogers, MA
    Certified Life Coach
    Tracey L. Rogers is a Certified Life Coach and Professional Astrologer based in Philadelphia. Tracey has over 10 years of life coaching and astrology experience. Her work has been featured on nationally syndicated radio, as well as online platforms such as Oprah.com. She is certified as a Coach by the Life Purpose Institute, and she has an MA in International Education from George Washington University.
    Tracey Rogers, MA
    Certified Life Coach
    Expert Answer
    It depends on what you're trying to do! One way to figure out the next step is to identify any barriers that are in your way. Once you know what kind of obstacles you're going to face, it becomes a lot easier to prepare for them.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2013/04/24/12-tips-for-increasing-productivity/#1235a1361f2f
      2. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2013/04/24/12-tips-for-increasing-productivity/#1235a1361f2f
      3. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2013/04/24/12-tips-for-increasing-productivity/#1235a1361f2f
      4. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2013/04/24/12-tips-for-increasing-productivity/#1235a1361f2f
      5. ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/242979
      6. ↑ Tracey Rogers, MA. Certified Life Coach. Expert Interview. 6 January 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/242979

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to make things happen, increase your productivity by creating detailed to-do lists on a cross-platform program like Google Sheets, so you can access it from anywhere throughout the day. Make sure your lists have clear titles, since you may have a list of things to do today and another list of tasks for a long-term project, for example. Additionally, try to ask yourself, "Is this productive?" throughout the day, so you can identify things that aren't worth your time. If you find yourself slacking off, don't punish yourself, but do hold yourself accountable by treating your lack of productivity as a problem to be solved. For more tips, including how to make things happen when working collaboratively, scroll down!

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