People often ask what steps are needed to increase productivity and get more done.   By the way, my reason for being more productive is NOT  getting more done - it's to allow more time for the things I enjoy.   I begin by understanding that there is a beginning, middle and end in everything we do.  You must start.  You must progress.  You must finish.  Doing anything else is just stumbling along.   I use three steps:   Access Actions are used to determine how I will begin - the steps needed to initial the project.   Advancing Actions are benchmarks to monitor your progress and iterations and adjustments needed.   Achievement Actions are steps that are required to bring the project to completion with no loose ends.   You must start.  You must progress.  You must finish.