SM: How can people multitask successfully? Can they?
LF: It's been shown that multitasking actually decreases productivity in the long run. I'm in favor of planning well, prioritizing and being fully present in each moment.

SM: Some of us tend to do little, unimportant things first because they can be done quickly and because they pop up continuously. How can we get to the really big things we need to do?
LF: Everything you do should be categorized as urgent/important. When things are of high urgency and/or high importance they get done first. When things are categorized as low urgency and/or importance they get done later. If people would think in these terms they would focus more on what really matters.

SM: We don抰 want to be careless, but we want to be speedy. How can we do this and be more productive? Coffee?
LF: You don't want to use artificial stimulants to work at a faster pace. It's not healthy and you wind up crashing in the long-run. Being speedy isn't really the goal. Being efficient is. If you plan your work carefully, ask for the help you need and work at a steady pace throughout the day (with breaks in between) you will be performing to your maximum capacity.

If this isn't enough to get the job done there's something wrong. Either your boss is not being realistic about how much can be accomplished in a day or you may be spending too much time trying to do "perfect" work. Being in the wrong job may [also] cause drag in your efficiency. There are always times when a tight deadline forces you to speed it up, but that should be the exception not the rule.

SM: What are the best ways for people to be more productive during the day?
LF: