Tips to be more productive
Do you sometimes feel like you don’t have enough time to complete your to- do list ? If that’s the case, keep reading this article with the 5 best tips that I found to boost your productivity.
But first let’s talk about toxic productivity. What is it ? Well that’s when you are trying to be busy/productive at all times. Not listening to your body and not knowing when to stop. It’s unhealthy and causes you a lot of stress.
Take it slow, do what you can.
1. Get to know your “time”
What I mean by that is it’s important to know when you feel the most energized because that’s also when you are the most productive.
Everyone is different. Some people work best in the morning, some after lunch or even in the evening.
To track your productivity, pay attention to your energy levels. Every hour stop and write down on your phone or notebook your energy levels on a scale of 10. If you can’t do it every hour, try doing as much as possible for 1 or 2 weeks.
2. Use time-blocks
Time blocks are well known to be an effective way to be productive. Time blocking is a time management that will help you have a concrete schedule for your day and focus. Forget about multi-tasking
Every block is dedicated to accomplishing a specific task or activity.
Prioritize your tasks. This will allow you to distinguish between the work that must be completed today and the work that you can postpone until tomorrow.
3. Take breaks
Yes. Taking breaks will actually help you focus more. Scheduling regular breaks during the day to relax will improve your productivity when needed.
You can try the Pomodoro method. Focus on your task for 25 minutes and then take a 5 minute break. After 4 hours you can take a longer break to fully recharge.
4. Limit distractions
If you’re distracted while working don’t worry it’s totally normal but there are things you can do to limit it.
- Find a calm space to work, close your door or if you work in an open space you can use noise-canceling headphones.
- Turn off your phone or leave it in a different room. If you can’t at least turn off the notification from apps.
- Avoid using your TV or youtube videos as a white noise.
5. Write your do to list the day before
Having your to do list prepared in advance will make you identify what you have to do the next day. Give your task a priority from “very important” to “not urgent”. You won’t wake up in the morning and be like “ok what do I have to do today ?”
Do the most important task first and schedule what you didn’t finish for the next day.
Everyone can be productive. Some are more than others and that’s fine. We’re all different. The good news is we can always improve but the most important thing is to listen to your body.
Take it easy.
