So, it's Monday. A fresh start for a new week. As much as we joke about how bad Mondays are (when it is just the fact that we want more 'weekend') we normally look at it as a clean start and a chance to be productive. While most likely no amount of productivity can make up for a day of sleeping in, relaxing and enjoying your day, we all want to be productive. It seems like every week there is a new list on ways to be productive; many of which include not looking at email more than twice a day or organizing a to-do list each morning. All of these things can and do work. However, true productivity goes beyond organization. Fast Company's recent article shared tips on staying productive all day long. The article goes into greater detail, but the main points include starting with a good night sleep, setting goals, getting 'me time' during the day and more. What I like about this "list" is that it avoid the typical tips that you read in most magazines and news articles. As mentioned above, I constantly read that you should avoid checking email during the day to keep you from being sucked into a vortex or forwards and replies. That doesn't work for everyone. Personally, I use my email inbox as a to-do list of its own. If it is still in the inbox, it still needs completed. Many people leave their inbox full of read and unread messages numbering in the thousands. So, this 'tip' wouldn't necessarily help us all. The point is, the Fast Company article is a great place to start. It gives some great big-picture tips like "be more Zen;" focusing on meditating or clearing your mind to get re-focused. Now... read the article and then get back to work.