Have you ever looked at someone who seems super-productive, but never looks flustered? Wouldn’t it be nice to go through a work day like that? Well, the truth is, you can! In fact, everybody can, it just takes a little focus and attention.
Have you ever looked at someone who seems super-productive, but never looks flustered? Wouldn’t it be nice to go through a work day like that? Well, the truth is, you can! In fact, everybody can, it just takes a little focus and attention.
Now, there are absolutely countless things you can do to make yourself more productive, and many of them are very much down to what works best for you. However, we’ve compiled a list of 5 great habits you can develop if you want to maximise your time without the stress.
Dedicated Email Times
Email is one of those necessary evils in the modern age. It’s certainly far more convenient than phone calls or endless meetings, but it can also be a distraction. If you often find yourself scrolling through emails while working on something else, then you’re just losing focus and slowing down your progress.
One trick you can use is setting dedicated email times. In a busy world, you can’t just avoid it all day, but you can set yourself certain times to check emails and action what you can. You might choose strict email times every day, or if you have a bit of a varied to-do-list, you can pencil in some email time each day.
This way, you can address what you need to, without being drawn away from the tasks you really need to get done.
Make Time for Self-Care
Self-care is so important in maintaining your productivity, but many people struggle to find a balance. Have you ever used the excuse that you don’t have time to exercise because you’ve got to much work on? While this can sometimes be legitimate in super-busy times, most of the time you’ll find doing some exercise actually helps with work.
Exercise is known to boost your energy levels and improve focus, so why not try and find 30 minutes before work for some form of exercise, and start your day off right!
Use Meeting Agendas and Stick to Them
Is there anybody out there who can really say they love meetings? Most people don’t, but that’s because meetings are often poorly run, and people don’t stay on track. We’ve all probably sat in meetings, not even concentrating because we’re thinking of all the work you could be doing.
Rather than let meetings drag on to the point where nobody is even listening, start with an agenda and stick to it. You should be able to move through agenda items quickly, efficiently, and get back to the things that matter in no time.
Lists to Keep on Track
Most successful people use lists in one way or another. Whether it’s a to-do list on your desk, tasks listed on a whiteboard, or even a digital work-planner, anything works better than nothing. However you choose to list out your tasks for the day, make sure it works for you. Also, be realistic with your time. Often, a weekly planner is far more effective than a daily list because you feel like you achieve more.
If you’ve got a huge to-do-list and only get through a couple of items, it’s deflating. However, if you spread those essential jobs over a full week and tick them off as you go, you get a nice little boost from clearing your work!
Take Breaks
Finally, take some time away from your desk. Trust us, it’s not lazy and doesn’t make you look like you don’t have things to do. Breaks are essential to keep you in the right head-space for work. Even if it’s a quick walk around the block or a coffee with a friend or co-worker, take a little time away from work, recharge, and get back to it with the right kind of focus.
