Do you ever get done running your business at the end of the day and ask yourself, “what did I accomplish? We have all been there and sometimes you can take on a few small changes to effect major results. We have ten ways to be more productive that just might work for you. Try on one, or all, to see how much more productive you can be.
Before you can be more productive you need to know what is making you unproductive. Take a few moments and think about, and write down, your time wasters. Is it social media, texting, internet surfing, playing games on the phone or simply not knowing where to begin or what to do? Write down all of your reasons and see how some of these tips might help you combat them.
Ten Ways To Be More Productive
- Pay attention to what you really need to and want to get done. Write down what needs to be done. It’s been said that what you pay attention to is what gets done.
- Focus. If you’re multitasking you’re not focusing fully on any one project or task and they will both suffer. Set aside a specific amount of time to work on a particular project. When that time is up, move onto the next one.
- Be clear on what you need to get done and why. If you’re doing a task that doesn’t have any real “reward” why are you doing it? Is it moving your business or life forward? If not, stop wasting your time.
- Be disciplined on your work day. Set office hours, even if you work from home, and be diligent about sticking to them. It’s easy to get sidetracked with yardwork or housework or running errands and there goes your day.
- When are you most energetic? Know yourself and then do your most difficult or energy consuming when you’re at your best.
- Move on from yesterday. If your to-dos are still to-be-dones don’t beat yourself up about it. Look at each day as a new, fresh start.
- Take a break. This may sound counterintuitive, but you need to give your physical and mental self a break during the day. Step away from the computer and eat your lunch. Walk the dog. Do jumping jacks. Meditate. You will come back refreshed.
- Just say no. You don’t have to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. Learn to say no if the opportunity doesn’t fit your business plan or your goals.
- Prioritize your day. Before you leave the office at the end of the day, write down the items you want to complete the next day and prioritize them.
- Make new habits. If you have been a time waster or a procrastinator, give yourself time to embrace new habits and new ways of working. It might not happen overnight, but if you’re diligent, it will happen!
What are your challenges with being productive? Do you need accountability? Motivation? We can help. Drop us a comment below.