I used to think that drinking more coffee or taking multiple short break are keys to boost productivity. After doing it for sometimes I still can’t see any significant improvements on my productivity. Thus I started to ask around on how to boost my productivity, and here I came up with a few notes.
Start in the Morning
Most productive people wake up early in the morning and have an early start. But that doesn’t necessary jumping into work routine, instead you may start with meditation, exercising, visualizing and plan for your day. Thus could help you to be more focus, creative and positive.
Accomplish small goals
Small accomplishment may boost your confidence in accomplishing bigger one. Setting smaller goals for ourselves offers us positive reinforcement when we achieve them. It feels good to know that I am accomplishing something. It helps keep me motivated and encouraged at working toward my bigger goals.
Track your time
The first step to be productive with your time is to understand how you spend your time. This can be achieve by consciously asking yourself “how am I currently using my time?”. There are many activities that can easily take up a large amount of time from our daily schedule. If these activities are consuming our time and yet aren’t producing anything tangible, then perhaps it’s a wise to consider re-prioritizing these activities. Managing our time can also means discipline enough to say “No, actually, I can’t do that now.” and express priorities.
Have a Routine Ritual
Repetition is how we develop good habits in our life. As an example, waking up early at the same time, always having meal on time, exercise regularly at the same time. Having a Routine means doing the same activities at the same time everyday. The result is having a natural flow to the day. By having a routine means having a simpler time management, since you will have less unpredictable activities that may take up your time. Having a routine may also allowing you to have a structured works which will greatly improve your productivity.
Take a break when you’re exhausted
Working longer hours, especially when we are tired, actually makes us less productive. Never ignore the need for and benefits of sleep, naps, and frequent rests throughout the day. Having sleep deprivation or lacks of sleep is less likely to perform effectively and be productive while working. It is no doubt that to stay productive, we have to have enough rest. When we are tired, it affect cognitive ability and judgment, which increase your chances of making mistakes.
Focus at one task at a time
While to some people being multitasking is a gift, it isn’t the same for others. Definitely not for me. Multitasking increases the probability of me making a mistake. To some people it increases the stress level due to over-stimulated brain. This multitasking can also come in the form of interruptions such as phone calls, social media and annoying coworkers who ask you to do things immediately. These can overwhelming you easily. The good news is Being overwhelmed with to many things to do is a choice, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be productive. There are few things you can do to be productive when you are overwhelmed.
Being productive is a combination of our Thinking Process, Habits and Surroundings. Learning how and what to manage is something that we need to continually work at on a daily basis, and that eventually develops into the habit of being productive every day. Stay productive by being proactive!
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ~St. Francis of Asisi
