These ambitious and aggressive times come with their own set of
challenges. But a major issue we battle today is how to be productive in a
time-constrained environment?
Each one of us thrives to be his most efficient self. But those
endless work hours take a toll at our competency rates. Even the best of us
face frequent blows to our productivity levels.
You can be the most dexterous worker but your vile can suddenly
run out of the precious elixir of productivity. It is in times like these where
you need to halt and refuel. It is indispensable as there is a constant need to
replenish and boost yourself to sustain and progress.
Being productive is an interplay of time management and sincere
attempts curated and customized by you to suit your way of working. But there
are some universally applicable and widely practised secrets of being
productive.
Read More: How to do SWOT analysis of a person with examples
Read More: How to do SWOT analysis of a person with examples
This article gives you 19 such extremely useful tips to amplify
your productivity.
1. Form
Lists
Lists are your friends. Grab a notebook, a listing app, or befriend
a smart virtual assistant like Siri or Alexa to take down all your daily tasks.
Clarity and visibility are the major benefits of creating such a to-do-list.
Jotting down tasks in a list format allows you to keep track and gain the
distinctness of all tasks. It gives you the luxury of being mentally equipped,
alongside allowing you a head start every day. The idea is to maintain a list
and keep it simple with realistic goals. While you maintain a to-do-list, we
suggest you leave some extra space to create a not-to-do list (See 6).
2. Time Your Tasks
After preparing a to-do-list, the next natural step is to time
your tasks. Prioritize tasks as per their urgency and list them in a descending
fashion, keeping the ones that consume maximum hours at the top. This way you
could primarily finish the most hectic tasks and give yourself plenty of room
to execute other simpler ones. Such an approach is referred to as the famous
Brian Tracy's ‘Eat that frog’ technique.
Scheduling and timing your tasks in the aforementioned style
will leave no room for procrastination. Moreover, it will give you a
motivational pump by having conquered your most dreaded task in your
to-do-list.
3. Utilize Your Commute
The time you use for commuting to your workplace can be judiciously
utilized. When people while away time this time on social media or playing
games, you can use it to your advantage. Read, listen to podcasts, learn a new
language, or pick up new skills on interactive learning platforms like Kool Stories. This networking platform allows you to exchange skills and make the
most of your time. A healthy habit of all productive people is that they use
every available resource and manage it well.
4. Schedule
Timely Breaks
It is pointless to sit at your desk, hours on end, without
taking a break from all your lined-up activities. It may seem
counterproductive, but studies have shown that assimilating short breaks
improves attention. They suggest that extended hours of work can lead to a drop
in the brain's focus, thereby interfering with overall performance. Shorts
breaks are the resolve. Walk around your bay or engage with a refreshing
conversation with a colleague for those crisp, energizing breaks.
5. Find
Your Stimulation
You can experience a drop in your productivity levels when
those motivational resources are either drained or remain untapped. Regular
introspection is needed to replenish all of that lost energy or motivation.
Find the most rejuvenating form of recreation and stick to it. Sometimes
creating a soothing or pleasant work environment can also do wonders. A
charming view or a well-arranged work desk will bring a splash of freshness in
your otherwise mundane work-life.
6. A Not-to-do List
While you jot down all those daily essentials on a to-do-list,
uncap that marker to create a not-to-do list as well. The items in this list
are pretty evident - all those activities that hamper your productivity. Having
a not-to-do list within your sight will enable you to ditch every unhealthy,
unproductive habit and fruitless task.
Sit down with yourself and analyze all things you could have
done better or look for simplifications that could save time and lead to
efficient habits.
7. Single
task vs Multitasking
While multitasking may seem like a fancy special skill to
acquire, studies at Stanford University have found multitasking to lower
productivity and lead to a decline in IQ levels. Another promising study by the University of Sussex in the UK indicates that multitasking negatively impacts
your brain by physically damaging it. These harmful blows of the multitasking
stem from balancing several tasks, dividing attention and limiting focus. They
impede memory and further contribute to stress and burnout.
8. Plan
Ahead
Productivity is a play of sincere efforts combined with
efficient planning. A power play of these two elements is your ultimate weapon
against laxity and procrastination. Planning your day is a healthy practice
that lets you channel your energy into achieving goals most flexibly and
conveniently. Careful planning leads to better management with much clarity on
approaching deadlines. The best ways to begin planning is by-
➨Creating a to-do-list
➨Using handwritten notes
➨Allocating reminders on apps like Google Calendar regarding
all-important upcoming, events, calls, meetings, launches, deadlines, etc.
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Read More: What is the meaning and method of introspection?
9. Stay Organized
Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In
the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. - Albert Einstein.
This famous saying by Einstein indicates the power of being
organized in the most challenging times.
Staying organized is a virtue that you need to imbue in your
physical setting. Similarly, these organization skills will be reflected and
helpful while you schedule, plan, or execute any task.
10. Eliminate Distractions
To win at the game of productivity, your biggest rivals are
distractions. Distraction comes in all forms and through all mediums. Noisy or
chatty co-workers can be major physical distractions. While frequent
notifications, engaging in games, or social media browsing constitute
electronic distractions. Your goal should be to identify all such sources that
accumulate to side-track your mind, write them on your not-to-do list and
eliminate them.
11. Adopt a Proactive Approach
A proactive approach allows you to be dynamic and in charge of
situations and tasks. Such an approach can be strategically suffused right from
the start when you intend on planning for the day ahead. Authority and total
control are the key benefits of having a proactive outlook.
12. Avoid Unproductive Meetings
Not only are those frequent unproductive meetings the biggest
distractions but are also major time and energy drainers. They interrupt and
break your workflow. Therefore, you should be mindful when choosing the
meetings to attend or look for alternatives to attend via email, phone, or
through the Web.
13. Reward
Yourself
While hard work is necessary, there should also be plenty of
room where you recognize your accomplishments and cherish all that you have
achieved. Rewards and recognition are therefore a major productivity booster.
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14. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is vital to improve overall body functionality. The
National Sleep Foundation (NSF) suggests that 7 to 9 hours of sleep is
mandatory for the operation of a healthy body and mind. A sleep-deprived mind
is less productive and more susceptible to make errors. Therefore, a
well-rested state of mind is the harbinger of creativity, improved memory
functions, and reduced stress levels. Moreover, they allow you to focus better
and improve your decision-making abilities as well.
15. Exercise
Regularly
Having an exercise regime not only boosts those cheer-inducing
endorphins but are great energy enhancers too. Find the time and incorporate
any form of recreational exercise to your routine.
Realizing the significance
of exercising, companies have started including outdoor activities or gym
facilities. Thus, it is equally important to get moving.
Pick up any form of workout like yoga, pilates, CrossFit or
simply integrate a walk in your schedule. Stick to this and you will be able to
trace a difference in your overall functionality.
16. Don't
Get Hung up on Perfection
The habits to tweak things and modify them to perfection can be
the reason for delayed deliveries and work piles at your station. Consequently,
these delayed deliveries and deferment will lead to underperformance,
accounting for stress. The best strategy would be to complete tasks and tick
them off your checklist. Understand that perfectionism is a delusion and cannot
always be achieved.
17. End
Procrastination
This is the unhealthiest work habit. Postponing work to do it
later will stockpile and add to your existing burden of stress and
responsibilities. Pick your tasks wisely, pin them on your timeline for the
day, and start right at it.
18. Review
Your Week
After completing a week’s work, it is wise to sit back,
contemplate, and analyze. This way you can recognize your accomplishments, any
shortcomings, or the challenges you faced. Learning from your highs and lows is
a major contributor to your productivity.
19. Learn to Say No
As much as you would like to complete all your tasks for the
day, it is equally important to make mindful commitments. A jam-packed calendar
will only increase hassle and won’t allow you to work to the best of your
potential. Learn to politely say “no” to postpone or decline tasks that require
more effort or time.
These were the major productivity secrets we had for you
in-store. Make sure to imbibe them in your daily work routine and track down
significant improvements in your productivity.
Know About the Author
"Pramod Jakhmola, Digital Marketer on Kool Stories. I like to share my opinion on Social Subjects."
