Productivity! It is a word we all hear, but what does it mean to be more productive in your day-to-day life? Can it mean being busy? Can it mean getting more and more done in a day?
Well, productivity is not just being busy for the sake of being busy and it doesn’t mean getting as much as possible done at the turn of a day.
Productivity is about getting things done in a strategic manner that reflects quality.
So, what can you do to make your day more productive and get the right things done? Let’s take a look.
Get the most difficult task done first.
Everyone has their points in the day when they can work at their peak. For me, it is typically between the hours of 8 am to 11 am. That is when I feel that my brain is at its sharpest and my problem-solving skills are the strongest. During this time, I can make better decisions without dragging things out.
This is also the time of day that I get the hard things done as well, whether it is writing a resume for someone or having to complete difficult tasks at work. So, this is why it is important to get the difficult things done first when you begin your work. While it is true that for some people this peak performance hour might be in the evening, then this might be the time that they sit down to begin their work, while completing the hard tasks.
Completing the hard tasks first allows you to avoid procrastination later on in the day when you might be tired and decide to put the task off to another point in time and therefore not complete it as well as you could have if you just started it first.
Get the big and crucial things done first, then give yourself a break with the small things later.
Take scheduled Breaks.
Point blank – it is not healthy to work for long periods doing anything without taking a break. Plan breaks into your day and then take them. Not only can taking a break which gives you a minute to relax, but it can also contribute to increased concentration, and reduce stress.
Have assigned email times.
Unless urgent, emails can usually wait. Many of us spend time during the day scouring through emails and spend all day answering them.
Instead, pick a few times per day when your focus is email. For example, first thing in the morning, at 11 am, and then again at 3 pm. This will allow you to focus on your message and what is being said, allowing for more streamlined and connected communication.
Avoid Multitasking.
Not only is multitasking confusing, but it also causes stress. It can cause problems for your working memory while tiring you out faster. As humans, we are typically designed to focus on one thing at a time. Doing one thing well, then moving on to the next task is the best way to complete your work.
At the beginning of the day, make a priority list. Go through each task as your day unfolds. Once you complete the task cross it out, and if you have things you are waiting on, place a checkmark beside that task and move on to the next one. This will allow for a smooth transition from one item to the next. Allowing you to focus more and zero in on details you might miss if you multitask.
Planning.
Plan out the night before and the week ahead. Each Sunday I like to make sure that I have my schedule set out for the week ahead. I like to know what days I am going to complete what and when I am going to do them. However, as we move through the week, things can change. Appointments get canceled and things get moved around. This is why it is also important to do a quick end-of-day check over your to-do list so that you can ensure that you are set for the next day. I like to remind myself of what I have to do during the day, by checking my schedule in the morning as well. In addition to this keep the to-do list realistic. Don’t overcrowd your agenda to the point where you can’t do as much as you set out to do.
Let’s get organized.
Clear away the clutter. File papers that you don’t need right now and make your workspace inviting. You are more likely to want to work in a space that you like rather than trying to work in one filled with clutter, paper, and the like.
A messy workspace can make you feel cluttered in your mind and can make it harder to concentrate. Clean up your space at the end of each day, to start fresh tomorrow.
Digital distractions.
If you have to focus on something, consider putting your phone on airplane mode, and closing down social media pages and your email. Only keep open what is necessary to complete the task at hand.
On average we tend to spend a lot of time on our devices scrolling through feeds and watching videos that do not make us productive. Have set times to check in on social media so that you can respond to messages and see what is transpiring in your network.
Getting organized and being productive is key if you want to get things done. Setting up a system using some of these tips can greatly improve how you feel while implementing a steady workflow.
Bliss + You 