In a world full of distractions and demands, mastering productivity has become an essential skill for success in both personal and professional work. Whether you want to accomplish more at work, manage your time better, or enhance your efficiency in school, implementing the following tips will help you become more productive.
1. Craft a to do list.
Crafting a to do list is a fundamental part of becoming more productive. A to do list strengthens your time management by providing a structured outline of your tasks and the order in which you plan to complete them. This reduces stress and anxiety that can come with an unorganized system. Additionally, a to do list is a tangible record of tasks and gives a sense of accomplishment and motivation as you check things off the list. A list also provides accountability, ensuring that deadlines are met and each task is done in a timely manner.
2. Cut back on distractions.
Distractions are one of the key things that can halt productivity. There are two main types of distractions: self-imposed and environmentally imposed. Self-imposed distractions are those you have control over, like notifications on your phone or computer. Environmentally imposed are those which you cannot control easily, such as loud surroundings or coworkers or friends dropping by to say hello. Take control where you can by silencing notifications and closing the office door to discourage visitors.
3. Focus on one thing at a time.
It can be very tempting to multitask, but it actually hurts your productivity. When you focus on two or more activities at a time, your brain has to switch between each task, which can ultimately waste time. This leads to some tasks being incompleted or done to a lower quality than others. Not multitasking means your brain can focus on one thing at a time, which will result in each task getting done faster and with better quality.
4. Set small goals to finish big projects.
The longest, most difficult tasks are often the hardest to start. To combat this, break up your hardest tasks into smaller, more manageable goals. If you accomplish a small goal each day, your hard task becomes easily achievable and less daunting.
5. Cultivate healthy habits.
It’s important to take care of yourself physically so that you can succeed. Maintain a healthy, balanced diet (being sure to hydrate!), get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night, and exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Committing to these three habits of a healthy lifestyle can boost your confidence and energy, making you more productive in the long run.
6. Take breaks.
When a lot of work piles up, it can be tempting to slog through without rest. However, even a five minute break to grab a snack or take a short walk can restore your focus and give you the extra energy you need to knock out those tasks.
7. Maintain a clean workspace.
Maintaining a clean workspace is vital to productivity. Clutter can be a distraction and the mess can stress you out. Dedicate a few minutes before you start your work for the day to tidy your desk and then dive in!
8. Block your time.
When you have a lot of work to do by a certain time, time blocking is your friend. Time blocking is when you dedicate a certain amount of time (10am-11am, for example) to a specific task (writing a blog post) and when the end of your scheduled time hits you step away from that task and move on to the next one, even if the first task is not fully completed. This ensures that you don’t spend all day on a project and fail to work on other things that need to be done.
9. Change scenery.
Sometimes all you need is a simple change of scenery to be more productive. Switching up the routine with a temporary new place to work can revitalize the mind and give you more energy. So, find a coffee shop or a quiet park, relocate, and focus back in.
10. Identify when you’re most productive.
This tip will take more than a single day’s observation. Every day, take note of what times of the day you were the most productive. With this knowledge, you can schedule tasks for these times of the day and maximize your time.
While implementing these tips may seem daunting at first, it is important to remember to be consistent. If you dedicate yourself to trying out a few or all of these tips for a few weeks, you may be astonished at the difference in your productivity. Allow yourself to build up these skills, and your productivity will develop as well.
written by Lydia Johnson
