Productivity is one of those hallmark traits of successful people. The more productive of a person you are, the more you could accomplish in less time. But productivity isn’t something you could develop over-night, just like any other great things – it needs discipline, consistency and the right amount of perseverance to become a productive person. With small changes in your work or study habits, you could be sure to see a difference in your productivity. Read this article to find out little tweaks you could do to be productive.
Wake up at the same everyday
Productivity and routine go hand in hand. Sticking to a schedule trains your brain to peak its performance at the same time of the day, every single day. It is easier for the brain to function when it knows what to expect at a particular time of the day.
Start the day with a plan
Plan your day in a way that the tougher, more difficult tasks are finished off first. We normally tend to procrastinate these tasks because they are a little tricky and need more energy. But when the day is fresh, we would still have the motivation and energy to finish these tasks, than towards the end of the day.
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Avoid digital distractions
With phones becoming more and more integrated with our lives, it is really hard to avoid the notifications and temptation to check for them. Turn off all unnecessary notifications when you work, and if possible, keep your phone in silent. Another trick is putting your phone screen in grayscale mode – this makes you feel like using and looking at your phone. There are even productivity apps that lock the phone for a particular period of set time, so you could go into complete focus mode.
Find an intention before your next task transition
Transitions times are the bits of time between switching tasks. These are short yet important moments that help your brain prepare for the next activity. So before you start your next task, take a moment to figure out why and how you want to do it. You’ll find yourself working more effectively.
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Make Self-Care a Priority
Just because you’re too busy, you shouldn’t neglect yourself. Always make it a priority to make time for taking care of your mental and physical health. Workout, spend time to do your hobbies, listen to your favorite song for a while, anything that makes you happy and relaxes you a bit.
Break bigger tasks to smaller ones
Often the thought of a long, tedious task is very daunting and demotivating. That’s why instead, you should make the task into smaller, achievable steps. It’ll not only make you think you’ve achieved more, but also motivates you to do more. Don’t forget to take breaks in between to break the monotony of work.
Stop trying to multi-task
In the name of saving time, we often trying to do several things at once. But this actually brings down the efficiency of all the tasks we’re doing, making it take more time than doing each task individually. So instead, focus completely on single task with concentration, and finish it off before you move on to the next one.
Group and prioritize your tasks using Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix, developed by periodize Dwight Eisenhower, is a simple tool that helps you figure out what your priorities are, and which tasks you should finish first. Just make a 2×2 square with “important” and “not important” on one axis, and write “urgent” and “not urgent” on the other axis. Decide the importance of your tasks by the following –
i. “important” & “urgent” – Do it
ii. “important” & “not urgent” – Plan for it
iii. “not important” & “urgent” – Delegate time
iv. “not important” & “not urgent” – Eliminate
Remember to follow the 80/20 rule
Another way to prioritize your tasks, the 80/20 rule (also known as the Pareto Principle), discovered by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, suggests that in any endeavor, 80% of the outcomes will come from 20% of the efforts. In simple words, focus and work on the tasks that give more results with relatively less results. With dedication and practice, any person could become more productive – it is just a matter of a routine and discipline.
By: Srinithya Ravinuthala
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