Does\u00a0getting through your entire to-do list seem like an unreachable goal?<\/p>\n
If you have a million and one things to do and are not keen on working 24\/7, it\u2019s time to become more efficient.<\/p>\n
To get on the right path to increased productivity, I\u2019ve come up with 25 tips to get you on your way. Incorporate some, or all, of these and you\u2019ll be churning out the work in no time. Let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n
Organize your workspace so everything is easy to reach and there\u2019s nothing there that doesn\u2019t need to be. Clear desk, clear mind.<\/p>\n
Social media is like a big black hole. Your intention is to spend just a few minutes checking your Facebook and all of a sudden, you\u2019ve wasted three hours. Oops.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just social media that provides unwelcome distractions. Emails. App notifications. Phone calls. Remove the temptation and, at the very least, put your phone\/tablet on silent.<\/p>\n
If you find it helps, listening to your favorite tunes can keep you focused and motivated. You could even try listening to scientifically-optimized music that helps increase concentration. Focus@Will<\/a> is one option if you\u2019re willing to give it a go.<\/p>\n Just as with gadgets, having the TV on \u2014 even in the background \u2014 can be detrimental to productivity. It\u2019s all too tempting to watch one more episode. It\u2019s best to just switch it off.<\/p>\n Going for a brisk walk first thing in the morning may do the world of good. In a randomized trial<\/a>, researchers found that participants who exercised reported higher energy levels than those who didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n Making good food choices is something to aim for if you want to keep your mind active and your body replenished. Start your day by kickstarting your metabolism with a nutritious breakfast, and opt for healthy snacks to help stabilize your blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n Going full steam ahead all day is likely to result in burnout. Instead, set yourself a goal to work for a designated period then take a short break to do something relaxing or fun. Just do something different to what you\u2019re working on.<\/p>\n The Pomodoro Technique<\/a> is a method whereby you work on a task for a set time \u2014 usually 25 minutes \u2014 and then take a short break. The idea is to work constantly during the 25 minutes and not allow any distractions to interrupt your flow.<\/p>\n If you work in an office, you most likely sit for hours at a time. This isn\u2019t good for your blood flow or posture, negatively impacting mood and productivity. Try a sit-stand desk or, if that\u2019s not possible, conduct standing meetings or even take time out to stretch to get the blood pumping.<\/p>\n Before you start your working week, create a list of all the projects and related tasks you have to complete. This will make it easier to prioritize tasks and set realistic goals.<\/p>\n Once you know what your week\u2019s workload looks like, it\u2019s time to break the tasks down into a manageable daily to-do list. Don\u2019t fill every minute of every day because we all know things don\u2019t always go to plan. You get sick. The car breaks down. You get the idea.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019re in the groove of doing a particular type of task, it\u2019s best to keep the positive vibes going. Answer all your emails, make any necessary phone calls<\/p>\n As well as completing similar tasks together, doing these tasks at the same time each day will help you get into a productive mindset. I know I like the familiarity of a routine that has been proven to work day in, day out.<\/p>\n Contrary to what you may think, multitasking is not necessarily useful when tackling a mountain of work. In fact, splitting your focus between conflicting tasks can be counterproductive, and can cause unwanted stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re anything like me, you tend to underestimate the time it will take to finish a task. A helpful trick is to ask yourself whether you can reasonably expect to complete the task in a specified amount of time instead of allocating time to a task.<\/p>\n Using your to-do list, decide which tasks are crucial to completing a project (important) and\/or need to be done asap (urgent). If a task falls into both categories, promote it to the top of your list. If a task is neither important nor urgent, leave it for later.<\/p>\n Procrastination is a productivity killer. A good way to break through the barrier is to stop dragging your feet and get started. Tackle your least favorite task early on in the day, getting a much-needed motivation boost to complete the remaining tasks.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got the ability to outsource tasks such as invoicing, making appointments, or transcribing, it\u2019s a great way to be able to focus on other things important to managing your business.<\/p>\n Often, traditional ways are best, and this is certainly the case when it comes to writing. Ditch the laptop and pick up a pen and piece of paper instead. A study<\/a> has shown that using a pen to write boosts memory and the ability to retain information.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed with how much you need to do and you always seem to be behind in your work schedule, don\u2019t beat yourself up for saying \u201cno\u201d. As difficult as it may be, you\u2019ll feel much better for it.<\/p>\n Just as with social media, the abundance of information available on the Web fuels procrastination and can be disastrous for productivity. Have clear limitations on what research you need for any task and avoid trawling through the bottomless pit that is Wikipedia.<\/p>\n5. Turn off the TV<\/h2>\n
6. Exercise<\/h2>\n
7. Eat well<\/h2>\n
8. Take regular breaks<\/h2>\n
9. Set a timer<\/h2>\n
10. Stand more<\/h2>\n
11. Make a to-do list at the start of each week<\/h2>\n
12. Create a daily schedule<\/h2>\n
13. Batch similar tasks<\/h2>\n
14. Create a routine<\/h2>\n
15. Do one thing at a time<\/h2>\nSplitting your focus between conflicting tasks can be counterproductive. Do just one thing at a time. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n
16. Focus on time, not the task<\/h2>\n
17. Work on important\/urgent tasks<\/h2>\n
18. Do least fun tasks first<\/h2>\n
19. Outsource mundane tasks<\/h2>\n
20. Go old school \u2014 pen and paper<\/h2>\n
21. Learn to say no<\/h2>\n
22. Stop reading everything<\/h2>\n
23. Learn keyboard shortcuts<\/h2>\n