Being productive does not mean you have to work harder, rather it’s all about working smarter. With careful preparation, clever use of your resources, and by effectively streamlining your tasks, this can be achieved. Either way, it all starts with your mindset.
To maximize productivity, there must be a desire to be successful and to want to do better at all times. Here are ideas for ways that you can increase your productivity:
1. Start your day off right
A productive day begins with the way you start it. Discover what works the best for you and then schedule your morning routine. For example, perhaps you start with an early morning workout? Then followed by a healthy breakfast? Both will provide you with the energy and mindset to start your day.
2. Plan ahead
If you aren’t planning, be prepared to fail. Always plan your coming days to be more effective and productive. Examples can include, making a list and writing down your most important tasks each night before you go to bed in preparation for the next day. In this way you know what you want to achieve and it is a good way to process your thoughts, organize your goals and clear your mind for the day ahead.
3. Stop multitasking
We as humans are well suited to ‘multi-tasking’. In just thinking about what you all are doing now including breathing, processing nutrients, pumping blood, all while reading this text! You are capable of doing many things at once, however, this is on a subconscious level.
It’s about the things that you yourself choose to do, the things you are aware of, and where you must dedicate you attention. If you try to combine multiple tasks, on a conscious level, there will be errors. The fact is that while in theory, it sounds like a good idea, but in practice you may take up to 1.5 times longer on a task. Even simple tasks can require immense concentration. You can get bothered by the «stroop effect» – meaning you only do the easy things. Whilst taking a lot more energy, this essentially results in a lower standard of quality.
4. Tidy space, tidy mind
“If your desk is a mess, you don’t have space to work, nor do you have any room for creativity.” A clean and tidy work environment is the first step towards productivity. So, take a moment to and look around. Is your office as productive as it could be? An average employee spends one hour a day searching for information. Remove everything you that don’t need, and this way you won’t waste hours of your day searching and looking for the things you may need.
5. Prioritize
Prioritizing your tasks is one of the keys to success in productivity. What tasks must you do? What tasks should you do? What tasks would you like to do? Try to do divide your tasks in different groups, focusing on the “must” tasks first!
By applying these simple changes to your everyday routine, you can increase your productivity and lead a more efficient workday. Though only small, these habits can be applied to both your personal and your professional life, leading you to enhance your everyday achievements.
