5 THINGS TO INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY
With the trend of Netflix binging and the idea of wanting to gain things without putting in work, our productivity level seems to be decreasing. Whether it be that we are more focused on lower priorities in our lives or that we've been bitten by the un-motivated bug, we must learn that success doesn't come easy.
photo by Isicle
Think of these flowers, they take what they need and they bloom—they don't think, they just multiply and grow. If we take the resources we have and use them to our advantage, then we increase our productivity, increase our potential and accomplish our goals.
It's tough—no one said it would be easy—but in order to strive and reach our aspirations, we must get past the uncomfortable part of actually working. Yes, you may say you love to work and honestly, I really do, but those moments of stillness and laziness are sometimes more addictive than we'd like to admit.
So here are my five ways to change the trend and incorporate a little more productivity in your day:
CREATE OR REWORK YOUR TO-DO LIST
I think to-do lists are so important, and if you're not in the habit of creating a list of things to accomplish in the day then you better hop on the train. I feel a sense of relief when I can focus on one thing at a time without overloading my brain. If you are one of those people who creates a to-do list, then you might want to re-work your list. Prioritizing your tasks and creating a list for the day and the week really maximizes my level of productivity.
EMBRACE THE ROUTINE
Creating a routine for yourself lets your inner de-motivator know that you're ready to work—so let's get going. I've gotten in a habit that when I work at home I start a pot of tea and sit at my desk with soft jazz or acoustic music. This way I know that I mean business and it gives me time to get in the mindset of accomplishing my long list of things to do (ugh). If you create a time table for when you start and finish work then you'll be able to be more aware of how you waste time and how you can increase your productivity. Our brains work best during a 60 to 90 minute time frame, after that take a 5 minute break to clear your mind—it's almost like pressing a reset button before you start a new project.
UNPLUG FROM DISTRACTIONS
Yes, it's easier said than done, but taking a break from social media, tv or any other distractions that take away your time needs to be limited. (Such as cuddling with your dog...oh, that's just me?) Evaluate and make notes about what tends to pull you away from completing work and then set a limit and be diligent. If you're like me, social media and being on the internet is basically my job, but I'm working on setting a clear and narrow focus to not get sidetracked.
SMALL ACTIONS LEAD TO BIG ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Don't overwhelm your brain with every task that needs to get done. If you separate your projects into segments and little chunks of work, then you'll be able to focus your energy on getting things done in an orderly fashion with less stress. If you're ahead of the game, don't waste time, get one more thing done for tomorrow so that you don't have to worry about it the next day. Each small action will benefit the big picture.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH OTHER MOTIVATORS
Seriously, this is probably the most helpful part of staying motivated. It's great to motivate yourself, but having a team of successful and motivated people who are equally working toward accomplishing their goals is so important. Whether you're working on the same or different project, it really helps to create a circle of friends who are positive and who really embrace organization and productivity. It will only benefit you and your goals, so don't take it lightly. Your circle of friends really do reflect on who you are and what you do.
Ultimately, it's really about working smarter, not harder. We all have multiple priorities and crazy schedules that might seem impossible to overcome, but why not make it easier on ourselves and create a plan to set our intentions for the day so that we can still reach our goals, as well as have time to stop and smell the flowers.
How do you stay motivated and increase productivity in your life?