We’ve all had those days when it’s tough to feel productive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the change. If you need to be more productive, here are 5 tips to help you get going so you can finish the year strong.
Tip #1
Create Deadlines for Yourself. It’s really easy to put something off when you have an open-ended timeline or deadline. To avoid that happening, set a deadline to complete specific tasks for the day. Prioritize the 3 most important tasks of the day and make sure by the end your workday you have those prioritized tasks completed.
This psychological trick allows you get more done and will enable you to have more time to work on other tasks if there is time and enjoy your life instead of worrying about all the things you haven’t completed.
Tip #2
Avoid Multi-Tasking. Many people think that being able to multi-task is a good thing. But in the end, it can actually mean that you’re not focusing on any one thing.
Instead, carve out specific times for specific tasks and focus only on them. The phone, social media, and emails are often to blame for the distraction. Try to set a specific time for returning phone calls, checking social media, and reading and responding to emails.
You may want to schedule 15 – 20 minutes 2 to 3 times a day to do this, and the key is to block or schedule those times on your calendar, don’t leave it open-ended.
Tip #3
Use a Timer for your Tasks. If you’re struggling to focus on getting your tasks done, try using a timer to focus and then allow yourself to have a break. Doing this will help you to break a task into smaller chunks and avoid the paralysis of feeling overwhelmed. The Pomodoro timer is an excellent tool for this. You can use the app or as an extension on your browser.
Tip #4
Write It Down. If you’re the type of person who gets sidetracked with brainstorms of new ideas, it’s a good idea to write them down. Keep a pen and paper handy (or an electronic document file) so that you can jot down your ideas as they pop up throughout the day.
This way you won’t forget what they are, it also allows you to get back to what you need to focus on instead of taking time away from the rest of your day. You can look over your list of brilliant ideas at the end of the day and decide if you need to do anything with them.
Tip #5
Get Your Body Moving. If exercise is something that’s at the bottom of your list, studies have shown that exercising first thing each day helps your brain to get more oxygen and nutrients.
This boost of energy will help boost productivity throughout the entire day if your day consists of sitting for much of the day. Make sure to get up at least once an hour, and move around – take a quick walk, get a quick stretch or something that will get you moving to replace that energy depletion from sitting down.
I hope these tips motivated you and will continue to motivate you. Use them as a constant reminder of how to be more productive each day so you can achieve success.
To your prioritized success!
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