If you are like me, you always try to find ways to be more productive in work and life. As a multi-passionate and someone that creates art, freelance web design and virtual assistants work and then runs this blog, being productive and getting things done quickly are important.
Over the past few years I’ve spent time finding what works for me because I don’t really just want to be tied to my computer, there’s a life to live. I am sharing 10 tips with you that you can explore and implement to be more productive.
1. Streamline your work and home.
I don’t know about you but I find it challenging to work in clutter, even if it feels like organized chaos. Taking a few moments in the morning to get more organized helps me feel like I am ready to dive right in. Here’s the thing, if mornings don’t work for you, take one day a week to do this or spend a few minutes in the evening to get yourself ready for the next day.
2. Do your most dreaded tasks early in the day.
I imagine there are a few things on your to-do list that you keep putting off. They seem hard, overwhelming and even cause you some stress. I encourage you to do that task first. Because when you get that off your list you now the big thing is done and then the other things on the list don’t seem so daunting and odds are you’ll be less stressed about it all.
3. Turn off email and social media notifications.
How many tabs do you have open on your browser? Do you constantly check your email because a new notification pooped up? When you’re trying to get things done, those are definitely a few things that will break your focus. I often don’t even load Facebook in my browser when I am trying to be productive and refrain from checking my email.
4. Prioritize and delegate tasks.
Every day feels like there is a ton of things you need to do. Looking at your to-do list, set aside low priority tasks or delegate them out to someone else to do. This gives you the space to focus time on the things that are important and high-priority. Don’t be afraid to ask your family for help when it comes to things around the home, they live there too!
5. Take breaks.
Even though I like to work in 2-3 hour chunks on a specific project, it’s still important to take a break. That can be taking a walk around the block, running to the local coffee shop, reading a magazine or visiting with friends for a few minutes.
6. Write down daily goals with a to-do list.
I like to write a new to-do list and then cross things off as I achieve them. Not only does this help me stay motivated but I get to visually see what I got done. Or if you lose momentum, use the list to reflect on what you need to be working on and remember the big picture. It can be super helpful to write down your why… all the reasons why you want to achieve your goal to get that extra motivation to get things done.
7. Give up multitasking.
Doing more than one thing at a time seems productive. It hurts your productivity because you waste time on refocusing. This is why I am a huge fan of batching your time – spend 2-3 hours focused on one task i.e. blog writing or cleaning house.
8. Be well stocked.
Make sure you have all the things you need such as snacks and quick lunches. My tip here is to plan your week ahead on the weekends from what needs to get done right down to your meals every day and then check to see if you have everything or you need to run to the store.
9. Get plenty of rest.
Not everyone needs 8 hours of sleep – although I do but when you get your rest period in, you’ll be more focused and are able to execute what needs to get done.
10. Stay motivated with a positive attitude.
One of my kiddo’s favorite sayings and mantra is PMA (Positive Mental Attitude). Give yourself permission to be happy and do things you enjoy. Remind yourself of why you are doing a certain task and how you’ll feel when it’s completed.
Here’s a bonus tip: Have a planner to help you stay organized and on top of your priorities instead of flying off the seat of your pants will really help you get things done.
Being productive is a reward itself. When you are more productive in your daily tasks you have more time to enjoy yourself and relax.
The 365-day planner comes with a spot to
- note your top 5 priorities
- track your daily schedule
- review your day
