10 Quick Tips on Becoming More Productive

Sometimes it feels like a 24-hour day isn’t enough for you to do all there is to be done. Other times, you work hard throughout the day only to learn that you have not accomplished as much as you would have liked. Well, staying productive is a hassle. Read this article to learn how to become a more productive person. I share tips to become more productive at your work which can be applied to other areas of your life so keep reading. 

What Is Productivity? 

The first time I heard the word ‘productivity’ used was in a high school economics class. Although the word applies in all areas of life, it is most typically used in business and the workplace. Simply put, productivity is output measured by input. So how much work can you get done in 2 hours? Your time can be considered your input, and the results of those efforts are the output.

Productivity may not be immediately measurable because some tasks do not produce instantly tangible results. When thinking about how to become more productive, we tend to prioritize time management. While time management is an integral part of being productive, it isn’t the only area that needs your attention.

What is toxic productivity?

Are you hearing about toxic productivity for the first time? According to Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr. Sarah Collins, we “constantly place value on doing more and achieving more, often at the detriment of our mental health.” 

Toxic productivity is when you constantly want to be on top of things, have things done, and stay on a roll that starts to affect your mental, physical and emotional health negatively. That notwithstanding, being productive is great; be sure not to be overboard. Remember to put your well-being first! So now, let’s explore some tips for better productivity.

10 Tips to Help You Become More Productive

Staying productive is especially important within a work environment. The new dynamics of work, as opposed to the traditional 9-5 setting, create an atmosphere for some people to thrive while staying productive within such flexible workspaces is increasingly more challenging for others. Try incorporating some of the tips to become more productive listed below and watch how they improve your productivity at work or in other areas of your life. Learn how to become a more productive person here! Make sure to read to the end! 

• Stop multitasking 

We often feel that juggling a million tasks at a mile a minute means we are getting more done. While actively attempting multitasking may give you a nice dose of adrenaline, it doesn’t make you more productive. It does the exact opposite. Multitasking doesn’t produce the best results, and you’re left with subpar work. By focusing your attention on a single task at a time, the chance of you finishing it faster and with better results is higher. Then you can seamlessly move over to the next task.

• Set small goals

Important goals can feel very intimidating, and we tend to overestimate how long such tasks would take. Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable bits that all contribute to a larger project. For example, if you renovate a house, you can break down the tasks by rooms or specific projects such as titling, painting, etc. These measurable milestones assess how far you’ve gone.

• Take a break

Taking breaks should be a welcomed suggestion, but people usually don’t reconcile being productive and taking some time off to chill out. Taking regular breaks helps immensely with decreasing stress and increasing productivity. Your typical 9-5 job would make provisions for a break or two within the workday, but working from home can get engrossing. It is essential to create 10/15-minute breaks within your schedule to catch your breath, re-up and de-stress.

• The five-minute rule

The five-minute rule is an excellent technique for people plagued with procrastination. By promising yourself to give 5 minutes to an outstanding task, you eliminate any excuse for not starting. Some tasks only need those five minutes, but the motivation usually continues from there. So if you have pending research work, use the five-minute rule, and you’ll soon gather enough momentum to complete the task.

• Time blocking

Time blocking is a tried-and-true technique for increasing your productivity. A time block is a specific time frame dedicated to a particular task. Time blocks are typically an hour, one hour, and 30 minutes. This allows you to track how much time you spend on one task and how many tasks you can accomplish in a day. Using color-coded calendars is a good way of maximizing this technique’s results.

• Delegate

If you work with a team, be a good team player and delegate your tasks to fellow teammates. Delegation doesn’t mean offloading the work you don’t want to do and passing it off to someone else; it is about giving people best suited for the task an opportunity to work in their element. Don’t find yourself struggling with a task that could be handled better and faster by someone on your team.

• Limit distractions

Being distracted now and then is a normal phenomenon. We can’t eradicate them, but we can limit them. To ensure you stay focused while you work, switch your phone to aeroplane mode, turn your notifications off and use productivity and focus apps if that helps. It also helps to let people in your circle know when you are working so they don’t hit you up for a happy hour.

• Do the most complicated things first

It may seem easy to get the more straightforward tasks down first and push the hardest once to the back burner. But dealing with the most challenging tasks while you have the energy and inspiration is better. It is also a great way to increase your focus and motivation for the rest of the day. Time the most complex tasks for when you feel most productive or for the first tasks you handle in the morning.

• Set boundaries

Being flexible in the work could be excellent quality, but don’t overdo it by taking on tasks that are too far out of your scope. Set clear boundaries about the roles and tasks you’re willing to take on. Setting clear boundaries stops you from becoming overwhelmed with too many tasks.

• Identify when you’re most productive

Since the pandemic, the work environment is continually changing from the traditional 9-5 to a more flexible space with remote working. If you are working from home, identify when you’re most productive. That could be in the morning, at night, or within the day. Once you’ve identified your peak, you can then organize your daily schedule such that you handle essential tasks when you’re most productive.

Summary

We hope these techniques help you become more productive in every sphere of your life. At the same time, employing these tips, monitor which of them are producing desired results and which aren’t. If working takes a toll on your well-being, it may be time to take a break and relax! The goal is to stay productive!