We all want to be more productive. That is why we search the Internet looking for the latest tips to propel them into becoming a productivity Ninja Master. What productivity boils down to is not the number of hours you spend working but the amount of work you can accomplish in those hours.
You are never going to maximize your productivity by spending more hours at work. Instead, try these tried and tested tips:
Take Breaks Regularly.
I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that by taking breaks, you are wasting time. However, taking short breaks between work boosts your concentration, creativity, and memory. In contrast, working long periods leads to stress, exhaustion, and fatigue. Therefore, maximize your efficiency by taking frequent breaks to refresh and refuel your mind.
Most Important Task.
Start your day off by completing the most crucial tasks on your to-do list. This task is the one that you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t force yourself to complete the task. But what do you do if you have more than one crucial task? Well, you start with the most challenging one first. It is about disciplining yourself to begin immediately and then to persevere until you finish the job.
Only Perform One Task At a Time.
Our brains cannot multitask. Multitasking reduces productivity by approximately 40%! Why? Because switching between tasks limits our focus and hampers our working memory. The result is increasing stress and mental fatigue. To boost your productivity by focusing only on one chore at a time. You can use RescueTime or Timeular to make sure that you don’t wander off task. Also, remember not to overcommit and make sure to assess your priorities to prevent burnout.
The Two-Minute Rule.
David Allen wrote in his best-selling book “Getting Things Done” about the two-minute rule. If you have a pending task completed in two minutes, you perform that task immediately. Why? Because David states that it will take you longer to review and finish the chore if you save it later. Look at the following tasks, like making our beds, doing the dishes, or answering emails. You could quickly finish these chores in under two minutes. This excellent time management strategy can drastically improve your productivity by forcing you to stop procrastinating. Besides, you can easily accomplish more tasks in a day this way.
Spend time in the evening planning your following day.
We all know that to-do lists are an excellent productivity tool. They can help you stay focused and organized. Start by spending a few minutes at night writing down the three things that you want to accomplish tomorrow. This simple step gives you a head start on your day because you already know what you want to achieve the next day. However, your to-do list should not contain more than three tasks. It needs to be realistic and straightforward. If you fill up your to-do list with numerous items, it will cause you to feel disoriented and overwhelmed.
Utilize Your Commute Time To Your Advantage
Spend the time that you are commuting to work to gain more knowledge. How? Well, read thought-provoking books and articles or listen to a good podcast. If you can’t read a book because you are driving, then consider signing up with Audible. Let Audible read the book to you. I have done this in the past, and it worked wonderfully. If you work from home, consider listening to books while you are doing the dishes, making the bed, or even exercising.
Get Organized
Make sure that your workspace is well organized and uncluttered. Your brain will thank you. A messy workspace causes you to be less efficient than if you have a well-organized workspace. A cluttered workspace limits your brain’s ability to concentrate and prevents it from processing information. As a result, your messy workspace leads to stress, frustration, and fatigue. Where do you start? You start by decluttering your workspace. Get rid of the non-essential items and assign a place for everything. Make it part of your daily routine to clean up your workspace before you leave work every evening.
Stop Digital Distractions
Did you know that the average American spends 1/3 of their workday browsing social media for non-work-related activities? Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with occasionally browsing through Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. However, when you constantly check your phone or computer for social media updates, it is a problem. It is one of the biggest productivity no-nos’. Set a limit on the amount of time you spend on the Internet. You can do what I have done in the past, and that is to disable app notifications. I went over the top by deleting the apps from my phone.
Make a Not-To-Do List
I have already discussed the benefits of having a to-do list. However, a not-to-do list can change your life. What is a not-to-do list? It is a list of all the activities you are planning to stop to become more productive. Spend some time analyzing the things you could have done differently or even more efficiently. These are tasks that do not contribute to your personal or professional goals. In essence, they are the unproductive habits that you want to eliminate. Now prepare your not-to-do list based on this analysis and work on implementing these changes into your daily routine.
Get Enough Sleep
You need to get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night to be at your peak performance the next day. Remember that sleep deprivation reduces efficiency and makes you prone to making errors. While being well-rested elevates your mood, boosts your productivity, reduces your stress, and improves your memory. Your ability to accurately make split-second decisions increases when you are well-rested. Also, don’t forget the importance of establishing a healthy morning routine.
Summary
By implementing these ten productivity habits into your daily routine, you will see your productivity skyrocket.
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