is that title confusing? it’s supposed to be. maybe there is no set of standard practices that will cause a designer to be more productive. maybe you have to do what works for you.

think of several things that designers or creatives of any type like to lay hold of as increasing (or decreasing) productivity/creativity;

• to-do lists — i love them. they help me get my mind around tasks. but maybe all a to-do list does for you is engender the endless question, “what i forget to put something on there!.”
• IMs — maybe they distract when you’re trying to work, or maybe they help you collaborate more efficiently than you could have otherwise.
• looking at design sites for inspiration — maybe they truly inspire, or maybe they tempt you just to copy what the last guy did.

so, don’t get caught up in trying to execute all of things that design blogs tell you will make you more productive. just be more productive, by being sensitive to the way that you work, and what things help your style of getting it done.