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𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀

Writer's picture: BenjaminBenjamin

Updated: Jul 22, 2023


We often feel inundated with responsibilities and burdened with excessive work.


This post aims to explore several techniques that can help us regain control.


Before diving into a range of tips, however, it's essential to remember that productivity without purpose is meaningless. It’s like running fast without a destination.


Also, greater productivity is not a substitute for caring for yourself. Prioritize your well-being before trying to work better.


Let's dig into some habits we could consider changing.



Planning


Overall, the advantage to some planning is that if you spend time in advance, then you will save time later.


Ways to plan better:

  • Spend a few minutes daily revisiting your goals and priorities.

  • Plan your week at the end of Friday or first thing Monday.

  • Determine the value you bring/receive with every meeting. See if you can provide information without attending or watch at 1.5x later. Review your meetings quarterly to remove yourself from ones (or cancel ones) where there is value gained.

  • Rely on your calendar as a to-do list by blocking time for priorities. These blocks may move but should not be deleted. During deep work, let people know your availability.



Timing


Know your energy cycles, and tackle the most important projects during high-energy times. Use low-energy times for work requiring less energy.


Do the worst thing every day first.


“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing

worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

– Mark Twain


Batch email responses (versus responding to people throughout the day) and check messages and social media at certain times (not constantly).


Consider a virtual assistant to outsource time-consuming tasks such as social media, trip planning, and scheduling.


Get better at delegating. Done constructively, this is both good for you to remove responsibilities and for someone else to learn.



Knowing Your Environment


Ways to control your setting where you want to get work done efficiently:

  • Move your body and refocus your mind regularly

  • Remove or silence smartphones and other distractions

  • The news is proven to make us less happy, so take a break during periods, even days

  • If you had a rough morning or bad meeting, shake it off and bring your best self to the next activity

  • Consider light/sunlight, room temp, background noise, chair and desk position, clean workspace, etc.



Learning & Adjusting


Track these areas weekly to improve:

  • Accomplishments

  • New ideas

  • Progress on projects

  • Next steps

  • Ways to learn


Experiment with productivity apps including hardware, software, and timers.


Pay attention to what works well. It will take time to improve and see results as you build mental muscle!



Adding More Tips


Making a positive change in any of these areas can impact productivity:

  • Sleeping

  • Exercising

  • Eating (diet and timing)

  • Practicing Mindfulness (e.g. Breathing, Meditating, or Yoga)

  • Connecting with people who want the best for you


Recognize that changing habits is difficult. Don't plan to change all at once – try one change to start and wait 4-8 weeks before deciding its effectiveness.



Final Tip: If you try a change and it doesn’t work, forgive yourself like you would a struggling friend.



Productivity increases from perseverance, not perfection. Start with your purpose, consider the factors you can control, then adjust by learning.


______________________________

Photo by Andreas Klassen who can be found here


𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲: 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗸 offers over 130 independent articles across 500 pages including leadership, growth, sales, marketing, operations, finance, and teams. In just five minutes, learn the best methods and practical options to activate your dreams.

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