Are you struggling to balance your work/school/home life? Feeling overwhelmed as there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day?
Don’t worry, it’s a feeling that many of us can relate to. However, with some strategic planning and dedication, it is possible to boost your productivity levels.
This article provides step-by-step guidance on how to become more productive by making simple changes to the way you work.
By following these 7 steps to being more productive, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your productivity skyrockets and your goals become much easier to achieve.
Why Being Productive is important
Being productive is essential because it not only allows you to get more done but can also give you a sense of accomplishment and pride.
In addition, being productive means that you are getting the most out of your time in terms of output.
Being able to achieve a goal is something that can be very rewarding.
By staying productive, you get a scope to spend time on yourself which is equally important for your physical and mental health. Follow these 7 steps which will help you in being more productive.
Step 1: Set Goals
Setting goals is one of the most important things that you should do when it comes to productivity. By setting goals, you are able to set a target for yourself and this means that you will be working towards something.
This is the first step towards being productive because by setting goals, you are able to determine what your priorities should be.
Without any set goals, you will have no idea about how much you have worked and achieved.
If your list of goals is long and looks daunting, you may even go for breaking up a big goal into smaller goals to give you the confidence to finish them.
Step 2: Create a Plan
Creating a plan is yet another important step as it will be something that will give you a good idea about how you are going to achieve your goals.
In order to do this, you need to make use of your calendar and schedule the tasks that you wish to accomplish.
Always have a plan ready so you can schedule your time in a way that will be beneficial for you.
However, it is not enough if you just make a plan and do nothing. You need to take the first step by actually doing what you want.
It is all too easy to just make plans and wait until they come true, however, this is not the right approach.
Step 3: Take Breaks
No one can work without breaks. So, taking breaks is extremely important. Scheduling your breaks helps in keeping your mind fresh and active.
You need to take a break after every hour of working so you can be more productive as per research. This will also help in keeping you motivated as well.
Step 4: Prioritize Tasks
All tasks on your to-do list may look important but there are some tasks that are important, urgent, and/or difficult.
Try prioritizing them. Such prioritization helps in reducing stress and increasing productivity.
You can use the Pomodoro technique or Eisenhower’s matrix for long-term tasks. These two techniques help you a lot in prioritizing tasks and keep you on the right track.
Step 5: Remove Distractions
Distractions like email, phone, and social media are a killer for your productivity. There are a few ways to remove distractions from your work.
Try using apps or software like Stayfocusd, LeechBlock, and SelfControl that help you to block distracting websites for some time period so that you can focus on your tasks.
You can even try to put your phone on airplane mode or put your phone/laptop in a different room if you can.
Step 6: No Multi-tasking
Multi-tasking may look fancy and you may feel that you have accomplished a lot but the reality is that multi-tasking does absolutely nothing.
It just makes you feel like you have done a lot of things at once when actually you haven’t.
So, next time when you feel that you are too busy to do one thing at a time, don’t try to be fancy and multitask.
Instead, focus on one thing at a time and you will achieve a lot, and that too in a short time.
Step 7: Track Progress
It is important to track your progress in order to keep yourself motivated.
You may feel that you are not doing much but if you track your daily achievements, you will be surprised to see how much you have actually accomplished in a day.
So, keep a track of your achievements and failures to know your strengths and where you are lacking.
This will give you a better idea of where you are standing at achieving your goals.
Conclusion: Increased Productivity
Following these steps will help you to be productive and stay focused on your work. You will be able to finish more work in a limited amount of time.
Not only will you get things done but also, you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your hard work. So, what are you waiting for?