--- title: "Lunchtime Links: 3 Tips For a More Productive Day" id: "19202" type: "post" slug: "lunchtime-links-3-tips-for-a-more-productive-day" published_at: "2013-08-28T16:52:01+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-15T21:03:46+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/08/28/lunchtime-links-3-tips-for-a-more-productive-day/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/08/28/lunchtime-links-3-tips-for-a-more-productive-day.md" excerpt: "Busy schedule? Try to focus on three tasks each day. Also: an index for measuring innovation." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "Mid-Level Professional" - "PR tips" - "productivity" - "Time Management" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "C-Level" - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Lunchtime Links: 3 Tips For a More Productive Day Post-its are not obsolete. Here’s a great way to use them to make your day more productive. That, and more, in today’s Lunchtime Links: > The point is to keep it there until the next day and replace it only if you have done it. **Sticky notes:** We’ve all been there—that feeling that there aren’t enough hours in the day. So, what’s the secret to being more productive? Writing for content blog *Medium*, app developer Sajid Kalla [suggests a low-tech, old-school solution (opens in a new tab)](https://medium.com/lessons-learned/12118a687d76) : Use Post-its. Using the tiny squares, write down three tasks that you plan to accomplish that day—and cross them off as you go. Break your tasks down into three categories: one task you have to do but don’t really want to do; one task you have to do and love doing; and one task that relaxes you and makes you happy. Place your sticky note on the bathroom mirror or somewhere you’ll see it, and don’t take it down until you’ve accomplished all three tasks. “No cellphones. No apps. No reminders. Just stick notes,” says Kalla. “The point is to keep it there until the next day and replace it only if you have done it.” What tricks do you use to stay productive? **Measuring stick:** In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure economy, few organizations can expect to succeed without innovation. But innovation is a tough concept to measure. BTM Institute, a leadership think tank, publishes a “Sustained Innovation Index.” According to BTM founder and CEO Faisal Hoque, his firm’s research demonstrates that sustained innovation predicts higher revenues and stronger capital efficiency rates. [But innovation isn’t easy, writes Hoque (opens in a new tab)](http://www.fastcompany.com/3015229/leadership-now/can-innovation-actually-be-measured) for *Fast Company*. It amounts to “a long-term and holistic endeavor” that requires both “analytical and creative talents.” Successful innovators focus on creating a lifecycle of innovation that is scalable, on developing new business models to help their innovations succeed, and on promoting cultural diversity and new ways of thinking within their organizations, writes Hoque. How does your organization stay ahead of the curve? **Why mobile ads fail:** Mobile ads hold great promise for organizations looking to reach members and technology users on the go. But there’s a big difference between promise and execution. Even the best-designed, most attractive ads can fail if they don’t effectively target their audience, or if they disrupt how users engage and interact with technology—or with content. Writing for *HubSpot*, Ari Jacoby, CEO of Solve Media, an online branding agency, [reveals the types of mobile ad campaigns that are destined to fail (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.hubspot.com/why-mobile-banner-ads-stink) . “Poorly targeted, puny ads that consistently miss the mark will never be effective for brands,” he writes. “As an industry, we must provide consumers with value in exchange for their attention. Mobile ads can be cognitively engaging and measurably valuable—if we focus on the user first.” Do you have mobile advertising success stories? Tell us in the comments. (iStockphoto/Thinkstock) [Anita Ferrer](https://associationsnow.com/author/anita-ferrer/) Anita Ferrer is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/anita-ferrer/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Mid-Level Professional](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mid-level-professional/) [#PR tips](https://associationsnow.com/tag/pr-tips/) [#productivity](https://associationsnow.com/tag/productivity/) [#Time Management](https://associationsnow.com/tag/time-management/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoProductivity tip: Finish one task before starting anotherJanuary 3, 2017](https://associationsnow.com/2017/01/03/productivity-tip-finish-one-task-before-starting-another/) - [VideoTerin Bates, MBA, CAE, CX-PRO, Shares Her Experience at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 18, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/18/terin-bates-mba-cae-cx-pro-shares-her-experience-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) - [VideoThe Adaptive Leader: Integrating Values and Strategy to Thrive Under New LeadershipDecember 15, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/15/the-adaptive-leader-integrating-values-and-strategy-to-thrive-under-new-leadership/) - [VideoASAE Marketing Section Council’s Marketing Tips — Video 1March 12, 2014](https://associationsnow.com/2014/03/12/asae-marketing-section-councils-marketing-tips-video-1/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F08%2F28%2Flunchtime-links-3-tips-for-a-more-productive-day%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !