More than anything, people tend to focus on ways to become productive or increase their productivity continuously. However, this is something that most of these people still struggle with. Achieving productivity is not very easy, but it is also not rocket science either.
The most productive people don’t work hard; they work smart. It is how much work you can put in and not how long you work. Being busy doesn’t equate to being productive. So, if you are looking to maximize your time and be more productive, there are several things that you need to know about productivity. Some of these have been compiled and are listed below in the article.
Take breaks regularly
It is easier to doubt this than to believe it. But taking a good rest or short break while working helps a lot. It helps to boost your memory, creativity, and, more importantly, your concentration. It will be easy for you to get stressed out, exhausted, and also become fatigued, even in decision making. That’s why it is essential to take regular short breaks. This will help you maximize your work efficiency and renew and refresh your mind to work faster and better.
Eat the frog
There’s a strategy known as the ‘eat the frog’ strategy. This strategy means to do the most crucial or hardest tasks first before any other thing. When you have a list of tasks to do, there’s the one that you will likely consider difficult, and you’ll want to procrastinate. But if you want you to be more productive and have high-performance levels, then you have to reach for that frog first. It becomes more comfortable for you to handle the other tasks and be more productive with doing them. It might require some discipline to get used to doing the hard task first, but it’s essential.
Try to not multi-task
There is evidence that suggests that our brain, as humans, isn’t wired for multi-tasking. Research also shows that when we multitask, our productivity reduces by up to 40%. That’s understandable because you have to toggle between different tasks, which will hamper your work memory and limit your focus. It will also lead to mental fatigue and increase stress. Single-tasking helps you to focus on and increase your productivity. You can only try to work as time-efficiently as you possibly can.
Adopt the two-minute rule
The two-minute rule is one that was developed by a productivity expert. The two-minute rule means that if there is a task that you need to complete within a short while, then you should complete that task immediately. Otherwise, it will take you much longer to finish it up. Some examples of this are laying your bed, answering emails, washing the dishes, and so on. This is a time management strategy that will improve your productivity drastically and eliminate procrastination.
Plan every day ahead
There are many productivity tools, but a perfect one for you is a to-do list. They allow you to be focused and organized. It would help if you took your time the night before to plan for the next day. Try to markdown those things that are important for you to accomplish the next day and jot them down. Once you do this the night before, you already have a head start for the next day, and will most likely ensure that you have a good and productive day. To be valid with it, make sure your to-do list only has two items or three maximum.
Take advantage of your excess time
When you have free time, you should look to invest those hours in improving yourself and gaining more knowledge rather than being on social media. You can read articles and books that are thought-provoking and can teach you one or two things. You can as well take that free time to prepare ahead for incoming essential tasks.
Be organized
Scientific research has found that having a well-organized workspace or desk can improve your productivity and allow you to work more efficiently. However, people that have a messier workspace tend to be more frustrated and less efficient. Working in an area with clutter will limit the ability of your brain to concentrate or process information. Another consequence of this is that it will cause fatigue and stress. That is why you have to declutter your workspace if you want to be more efficient and boost your mental health. Decluttering helps you work without feeling exhausted or overwhelmed.
Avoid digital distractions
Social media is an excellent tool for us but, it can also be a distraction in many cases. Many people these days spend a massive amount of their time in the day when they are not working to browse social media for things that are not related to their work. It might not be a bad idea to occassionally go through your social media feed, but looking for your updates and sticking to social media while working will definitely affect your productivity. There should be a limit to the time you spend on social media or the internet generally. It would be best if you also keep your phone silent or disabling notifications so they wouldn’t distract you from working.
Create a list for not-to-do things
While it is beneficial to create a to-do list, there is also such a thing as a not-to-do list, and it’s also essential and beneficial to your level of productivity. This is a list of things not to do for you to stay productive. Analyze all your previous tasks and look for something you can do differently to be more efficient. This will give you an idea of things to do away with to be more productive.
Get enough sleep
Good health is vital for your productivity and work efficiency. For your mental and physical wellbeing, you should get enough sleep, up to seven hours, or more per day. Many people, mostly workers, sleep less than the recommended hours of sleep per day, which tends to affect their level of productivity. Sleep deprivation allows people to become error-prone and also less efficient. But getting enough sleep can help boost creativity, elevate mood, improve memory, and reduce stress.
Conclusion
These are some of the most effective tips that you should apply to make you more productive.
Author: Charlie Svensson – Professional Writer across an eclectic range of industries and sectors.
