7 tips for productivity
With more demands and what seems like less time, we are all looking for ways to increase productivity during our work hours. Here are 7 simple tips to help you regain some control in your workday and help you be more productive.
1. Create a to-do list
Before starting each day, make a list of things to do. This keeps you focused on the task and can get you refocusing when you keep your list in front of you while you work. We suggest that you make a list on paper so that it is visible at all times.
2. Take breaks
It seems like we all work too hard and don’t realize when we need a break. Allow yourself to take breaks when you feel overwhelmed, stressed, if you start to lose focus, or just need to clear your mind for a few minutes. Get away from your desk, walk around the office, or just get up and stretch.
3. Eliminate distractions
Social media, push notifications, and our digital age make it easy to have constant distractions. Turn off notifications on your phone and computer, except for crucial appointment reminders, so you aren’t constantly distracted. It’s easy to deviate from a text message or notification, and 20 minutes later, you realize you’ve completely lost focus.
4. Designate a time to read emails.
Allow yourself to check email in the morning, after lunch, and before you leave the office. When you constantly check your inbox and read or reply to each email, you reduce your productivity time. If you’re sending emails and need them to be answered right away, give them a Priority tag.
5. Sleep early and get up early
Take a look at every successful top executive, CEO, or entrepreneur and you’ll find that they all have one main thing in common: They wake up early. Waking up early gives them time to start the morning without rushing or having limited time. Going to bed early ensures that they are rested and recharged to start the next day.
6. Focus on one thing at a time.
We’ve all heard that multitasking is detrimental to productivity. It reduces the performance of any task we do when we are not fully focused. Studies have shown that our brain struggles when we are constantly switching from multiple tasks at the same time. Would you rather complete a task with excellent results or 3 things with mediocre results?
7. Order and organize your environment
When you work in a messy environment, you create unnecessary stress on your mind and body. It’s like having an unopened stack of mail that you know you need to access. Not to mention it’s a distraction. Clean up your workspace so you can stay focused and be more productive.
Along with productivity, life balance is critical. When we find balance in our lives, we can perform better and we are actually happier people.