Image by Pintera Studio from Pixabay
Many people are finding themselves working from home for the first time during the pandemic. This can be quite an adjustment from the structured work environment. Are you struggling with productivity? Are you always striving to get your task list accomplished but end up constantly moving tasks to the next day? If this describes you, here are a few tips for making your day more productive.
Create a To-Do List the Night Before
Instead of waking up in the morning to make your to-do list, make your list the night before. This way you can go to bed relaxed and confident for the next day. You also wake up in the morning knowing exactly what you have planned for the day. You might also consider planning on Sunday night for the upcoming week. Then when you wake on Monday you have a plan in place.
Prioritize
Take a look at the tasks on your list. What tasks offer the largest return? What tasks offer the most value and achievement? For example, answering email or paying bills isn’t a task that offers a large return. Checking on your social media can easily become a black hole. However, making a sale or meeting with a client is a very productive task. Put your most profitable or results-oriented tasks first on your list. (And yes, the bills do need to get paid. Just save that for “after work” and consider automating as many as you can.)
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
The quality of your sleep is important to sustain your energy levels throughout your day. Good sleep means you’ll be fresh and energetic all day long. Creating a to-do list is a good way to help you get a good night’s sleep because you can put the day’s stresses to rest.
Also consider adding soothing nighttime rituals to your routine. For example, meditate, stretch or read before you go to bed. Keep a gratitude journal and write before you sleep. Go to bed and wake at the same time to help your body know what to expect.
Eat Healthy
The food you eat has a direct correlation to how energetic and productive you are. Junk food will make you sluggish. Healthy food will help you stay energized all day long. Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day. Feed your body well and it will respond by keeping you alert and energetic.
Get Organized
If you spend half your time searching for files, names and numbers, you are wasting time. Make sure any items that you use on a regular basis are easy to grab from your desk chair or find in your computer. They should be easy to find and use.
Take Breaks
Productivity doesn’t mean working from sun-up to sundown. In fact, if you work without stopping, you’re likely to burn out and actually become less productive. Instead, try using the Pomodoro Technique. It requires working on a task for 25 minutes, then taking a short break before another 25 minute session. Here are the steps:
- Set a timer so you know when to take your break.
- Put a check mark on a piece of paper when the timer rings.
- Take your short break.
- After 4 “pomodoros” take a longer break of about 20-30 minutes. Take a walk, stretch or get some fresh air to get the blood moving throughout your body.
Focus
Do you multi-task hoping it’ll make you more productive? Do you manage one task while your mind is already onto the next task? Both habits are unproductive. When you focus on what you’re doing in the present moment, not only is the task more enjoyable, it also gets done faster and better.
Celebrate and Reflect
No matter what you did or did not complete, make sure to take some time to celebrate what you did accomplish. Rewarding yourself is a great motivator and it’s important to acknowledge yourself so you can continue to do great work.
Also, reflecting on your day to think about what went well and what didn’t gives your brain time to decompress and de-stress. It also increases future productivity. (Hint: Be kind to yourself about what didn’t go well. Simply think about what might work better for you.)
Productivity is possible. With a little planning, attention and self-care you can get more done in half the time. These tools are simple but effective. Try just one of these steps and watch your own personal productivity improve.
