Use these 5 hacks to increase productivity and lower your to-do list (and also lower your stress due to not getting things done in time).
We start our day with planning for the day ahead. We note down (or use an app – see my recommended best productivity apps at the end of the article) the things we need to do for the day ahead with a lot of hope that we will do them on time. Then at the end of the day, little things got done. Now the question is: what happened during the day? Why others can do a lot more things than us? Why do they get to enjoy their spare time while we continue to work?
There is no one-size-fits-all for increasing productivity. There is no magic formula that will strike through your to-do list tasks. You are the only person who has to drive productivity for yourself and enjoy the benefits. And this can change your life for the better. You can get better grades, you can exceed expectations at work, you can stay on top of your game at home. These 5 tips will help you boost productivity, drive excellent results at work or school, and help you better yourself in any aspect you wish.
But why should you follow my advice?
How did I increase my productivity while working from home?
I have worked from home for a few years now (more than 5 I believe) and at the beginning I struggled with completing tasks. I often found myself distracted by the meals that needed prep, by the boyfriend who always had a question for me, by the cat that somehow started to scratch the couch, and many more other distractions I don’t need to mention because you most likely know them already. All of these factors are anti-productivity and will not benefit you in any way in the long run. So I always tried to ignore them, but that didn’t seem to be enough to drive productivity at work.
Before that, I struggled with my academic performance. I failed some exams along the way, studied harder the next time, and passed them. But the frustration was real. I was working hard, but somehow I couldn’t assimilate the information.
But that changed when I applied these 5 hacks and felt the advantages of productivity in my life.
5 Methods to Boost Your Productivity
Tiny habits have a big impact. If you are feeling stuck in a productivity rut, then don’t worry too much (and end up doing nothing productive for the day), follow these 5 actionable methods, and ditch the procrastination. Also, don’t forget to google the Productivity Game of James Clear’s Atomic Habits book.
Build a Better To-Do List to Increase Productivity
Most of the time, your to-do list is packed with a lot of non-urgent, non-necessary tasks. Start by removing those tasks from your current list and add them to a “It would be nice” to-do list that you will not see for the day (but don’t forget about it). Usually, 80% of the outcomes are results of the 20% of the most important tasks you have on your list (or so-called the Pareto Principle). Analyze your current list after you removed the non-urgent, non-necessary tasks and categorize the remaining tasks into the following 3 categories:
- Urgent & Necessary Tasks. Work on them immediately and you will see instant satisfaction
- Urgent & Non-Necessary Tasks. Delegate them to someone else or try to do them as quickly as possible (they don’t need to be perfectly done, just done).
- Non-Urgent & Necessary Tasks. Create a strategy to tackle this category using SMART Goals.
After doing this step, try to understand which small steps you should take to get these things done in a way that would fit your schedule best.
Read more about the Eisenhower Matrix.
Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are the #1 anti-productivity factor many people find themselves giving in to. There are two types of distractions on a day-to-day basis:
- Distractions we can’t control, such as ambulance sirens, car horns honking, or even small chit-chat around ourselves.
- Distractions we can control, such as phone notifications, internet browsing, or household chores.
The main problem with these distractions is that they require our time, focus power, and energy. And the more energy we put into the distractions we can control, the less energy, time, and focus we have available for completing the necessary and important tasks.
What can you do to remove distractions and increase productivity?
- Have a dedicated workplace when working from home or studying
- Mute notifications (the main anti-productivity driver)
- Use noise-cancelling headphones at work
- Be selfish with your time and let others know they can’t disturb you for the next hour(s).
I strongly agree with this quote:
Focus on one task at a time to Increase Productivity
Multitasking is the biggest lie of our century. No, people aren’t made for multitasking, unless maybe they’re running on a treadmill and watching their favorite series at the same time. But doing tasks that require a high level of concentration isn’t meant to be done two or more at the same time.
When multitasking, you are basically interrupting yourself when switching between tasks and it can quickly lead to burnout. Which means your mind is your self-imposed distraction. But what can you do when you have to juggle multiple tasks?
It’s simple: just focus on one task you deem to be urgent and necessary before switching to another. It’s ok to feel overwhelmed from time to time but don’t let that be your own obstacle and prevent you from achieving your productivity goals.
Take Productive Breaks
If you feel like you don’t deserve a break because you haven’t done too much today, that’s ok, we all have been there. The thing is though, without breaks, you will burn out eventually. When you practice a sport, you don’t do it for more than an hour or two, and then you take a break day. Otherwise, your body will wear out and you will not be able to complete your workout anymore.
The same happens with your brain too. We take productive breaks when working because we want to come back stronger and stronger and ready to face the next challenge.
Examples of productive breaks that will help you increase productivity:
- Listen to a podcast on the subject you’re working on
- Take a walk outside
- Eat lunch without being interrupted by social media
- Talk with a friend who also takes a break
- Stretch your muscles
- Just lie down and practice some productivity affirmations
These breaks will not impair you, but they will drive you even further.
Celebrate Small Success
Last, but not least: don’t forget to celebrate small successes from time to time. Reward yourself by doing the things you enjoy the most: take a bath after a long day, watch your favorite series, play with your pets, go shopping, or go out with a friend. The boost in confidence will make you want to achieve more and more.
These celebrations, no matter how big or small, send a powerful message to your brain: “Hey, you did good! Keep it up!”. This self-appreciation will take you further in life and will build more motivation to crush your aspiring goals. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You deserve this love!
Conclusion
The benefits of productivity increase are endless. I get you because I was there too once. We have a lot of things to do in our day-to-day lives and we might get lost from time to time. But these 5 productivity hacks will help you a lot down the road.
Remember, productivity is a journey, not a destination. Embrace these 5 productivity methods, experiment, and find what works best for you. With dedication and a little bit of fun, you’ll be conquering your to-do list and reaching your full potential in no time!
3 Best Productivity Apps:
- Productive Habit Tracker: All-in-one productivity app
- Trello: Free productivity application
- Todoist: Practical task management app
Free One-Page Productivity Planner
One Book You Need to Read: The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity
Related Articles:
7 Ways to Build Self-Discipline That Lasts Forever
