Tips for Productivity
We get it, there are things you rather do other than your actual work like go on social media, shop, or even sleep. But getting things done will actually improve your well being and give you peace of mind. Being productive does not come easy and is definitely a skill some have to acquire over time. But with these tips we have, we hope to give you a little insight and help on how to be more productive in your day to day life.
Drop the smartphone
Yes, it is so easy to just scroll around on Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, and Snapchat for hours but are you doing yourself any good by doing that? These apps are entertaining for sure but it sure distracts you in ways other things don’t and becomes an addiction over time. A smart tip when trying to be productive is to put that smartphone away. Whether it may be putting it in another room or disabling all your notifications for a couple of hours, anything helps. There are even apps that can encourage you to limit your phone use like Forest. This app helps people beat their phone addiction and manage their time in an interesting and pleasant way. Users can earn credits and plant trees around the world simply by putting their phones down.
Turn the tunes up
Sometimes music does wonders and can actually improve your productivity levels depending on the activity you do. When you listen to music that you actually enjoy, your brain releases dopamine, which reduces stress and anxiety and puts you in a good mood. However, not all music is the same. Some studies have shown that music with lyrics reduces our mental performance at work, whereas instrumental music could boost our productivity levels. Different types of music affect all of us differently so it is important to choose the right one for the type of work you are doing whether it be cleaning the house, writing an essay, or even working out at the gym.
Breaks are your best friend
There is a limit on how much time you can devote your time and energy to on task. No matter how much work you have to finish, it is important to allocate breaks to give your brain a rest. After doing a task for a long period of time it is so easy to get lost into the material and start putting out work that can just be plain nonsense sometimes! So take that 10-minute break to stretch, eat, walk around the block to clear your mind. You will return to your work refreshed both mentally and physically and ready to tackle the task in better ways.
Dread comes first
Every one of us has a task on our list that we dread doing and push it off until the last minute. It can be writing that blog because you don't know how to start or cleaning out your closet for the next season. Whatever it may be, by starting your most hated project first, it will relieve that guilt you have if you pushed it off to the next day or even the next months. There is nothing more motivating than crossing out that monster off your to-do list first thing in the day. Some say when you really do not want to do something, that is exactly when you should do it. It will leave you feeling motivated and ready to start your other projects.
Put them into batches
Allocating your time wisely can be a huge benefit on the list of things you have to finish. By putting your tasks into batches and setting a specific time to finish them will force you to get them done. Answering emails? Making phone calls? Try putting them together and setting out maybe 3 out of 7 days to do it all at once instead of spreading it out throughout the week. Have at least 5 tasks but don’t know where to start? Try thinking about how long each task is going to take and challenge yourself to finish each project at the time you set for yourself.
There are so many ways to be productive but the main thing is to just DO IT. There are so many distractions and excuses to not do the things on the list you have but if you finish it the first chance you get, you will not regret it. Some may think it is difficult to train your brain to become better at focusing and concentrating but with practice, you will soon find yourself being able to resist the temptations in your life and focus better.