Productivity

  • Productivity

    7 Ways to Be More Productive in Life

    Productivity doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be easily boosted through a manageable combination of the right tools, resources, and habits to make the most of your time. — Caroline Ghosn

    We all want to make the most of our time and get as much done in a single day as possible (well, I do anyway!). It seems like time slips by quickly, and often we feel that we have nothing to show for it.

    No one wants to waste valuable time, but often it can be difficult to manage your time wisely. Here are some actionable ideas that will help you to become more productive, whether at home or at work.

    These tips will help you get the most out of the never-ending cycle of having too much work and not enough hours in the day.

    How to Be More Productive

    Get enough sleep

    Everyone has a slightly different requirement for how much sleep they need, but the one thing we all have in common is that we do not function at our best unless we are getting that necessary amount.

    Try to find your sweet spot as far as how much is best for you, and make it a priority to get that sleep. I function best at anywhere from 6-9 hours and usually make sure I get in bed with time to get about 7.

    Set simple goals

    If you don’t know where you want to go, you are not likely to get where you need to. Set goals to guide you where you want to be.

    Also, don’t try and “eat the whole elephant at once.” Break those goals up into small chunks and conquer them bit by bit. Create simple to-do lists for each day that help you complete larger projects.

    Here are a couple of quick examples:

    Trying to clean your house? Go from room to room rather than trying to take on everything at once.

    If you have a project at the office, do a few things every day in order to complete it by the deadline.

    Create a daily routine

    Our bodies function well when we work on a daily routine. There is no need to be boxed in by a rigid schedule, but if you loosely follow a certain pattern each day you will find that it leads to greater productivity.

    Set aside certain times of the day when you work, take breaks, or sit down for lunch. I’ve found it helps to schedule in some ‘me’ time, too, even if it’s just 20 minutes or less.

    Keep your space tidy

    Make this a priority. When you live in chaos, it drags you down in every way and makes it almost impossible to accomplish anything.

    On the other hand, a clean and orderly home and office contribute to clarity of mind, which will increase your productivity. You also won’t have to stop because you accidentally knocked something off your desk!

    Focus on one task at a time

    No matter how many people feel that multi-tasking is a positive and necessary trait, it’s actually more counter-productive to getting anything of value done. You may think you are making good use of your time by multi-tasking, but it actually makes it impossible to focus on anything fully and the quality of your work often suffers because of it.

    This is one that I struggle with a lot. I find it helps to keep my phone just out of reach so it’s less convenient to pick up every 5 seconds, and I often utilize the Pomodoro technique.

    Treat your body right

    An important aspect of being productive is taking care of the body you live in. Make time for exercise, as it releases natural “feel good” chemicals which will give your day a boost and provide you with a positive outlook.

    Eat right and be sure to drink plenty of water, as this will give you the energy you need to make the most of every minute.

    Prioritize

    No matter how much you try to get everything done, there are only so many hours in a day. It’s best to accept this and start to prioritize what you need to get done.

    Make a list of tasks and decide what is most important, what is least important, and what falls in between. You might have many good things on your list, but you need to decide what is not only good but the best for you personally.

    “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work in hand. The Sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”

    ― Alexander Graham Bell

    Put these tips into practice

    For your final tip, make sure you put as many of these tips into practice as possible! The best way to start being productive is to simply start working on whatever it is you need to get done.

    You probably have a lot that you want to fit into your busy schedule, so don’t waste another moment and just get started.

  • Productivity

    4 Tips for Using the Pomodoro Technique to Get More Done in Less Time

    Take care of the minutes; for hours will take care of themselves.
    — Lord Chesterfield

    We’d all like to get more done each day without feeling stressed out or exhausted by the end of the day. One way to elevate that stress and exhaustion is to make good use of time management techniques.

    While many time management techniques are effective, the Pomodoro Technique is one of the most popular, which I’m going to tell you about today!

    Table of Contents
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    How the Pomodoro Technique Works

    The Pomodoro Technique uses alternating work periods and short breaks to keep your brain refreshed throughout 2 hours of work or more.

    There are four cycles, each composed of 25 minutes of work time followed by a 5-minute break. After the fourth cycle, you take a 30-minute break.

    It may seem like stopping to take a break in the middle of your work is counterproductive, but it gives your brain a chance to relax and reset so it’s ready for another 25-minute stretch.

    Knowing that you only have to work for a little bit before you get to take a break does two things:

    • It keeps you hyper-focused on completing whatever task you’re working on.
    • It gives you a set break time to look forward to.

    With the Pomodoro Technique, you’re able to tell yourself you’ll put off checking your phone or email until your break, whether than stopping every 5 minutes to do it while you’re working.

    This means you have 25 minutes of focused and uninterrupted work time. I’m sure you’ll be surprised just how much you can get done in just 25 minutes and how much more relaxed you’ll feel.

    “One always has time enough, if one will apply it well.”

    ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    Boost your productivity with the Pomodoro Task Tracker

    Download this free Pomodoro Task Tracker to keep track of your main goals and the tasks necessary to complete those goals.

    Use the Pomodoro Technique to get more done

    Want to try the Pomodoro Technique out for your own time management? Don’t get started without reading these 4 tips to help you succeed.

    Use a timer, not the clock

    It’s a mistake to keep one eye on the clock while you’re trying to get your work done. Use a timer and position it so you can’t see it. You can use your cell phone, computer, or a physical timer.

    There are specialized programs and apps for your computer or cell phone available online. They incorporate your work time, break time, and longer breaks.

    The use of a timer is critical. It provides a sense of urgency and the knowledge that you’ll get a break soon. You’ll be surprised at just how much you can get done in only 25 minutes.

    Experiment with different intervals

    Many people thrive with the traditional schedule of 25 minutes of work followed by 5-minute breaks. Others do well with 50 minutes of work and 10-minute breaks.

    See which works best for you and consider trying other options, too.

    You may find that certain tasks work better with longer or shorter intervals. It’s important to experiment and be flexible in your approach.

    Sometimes you may have time constraints that prevent you from completing a normal session. Try 10 or 15 minute work periods with 3-5 minute breaks and commit to small tasks that you can work on until you have more time.

    Don’t skip the long break

    This can be 15-30 minutes in length. It’s a good idea to move around. Get a drink of water or take a short walk.

    Avoid skipping this longer break. It will really pay off later in the day! You’ll have more energy and maintain your ability to focus.

    Avoid distractions

    Part of the effectiveness of the technique is from focusing intently on the task at hand. You’ll have a quick break in just a few minutes, so keep your mind on track.

    Let others know you don’t want to be disturbed. Remember, you’re not doing anything but your work for the next 25 minutes.

    “Most people overestimate what they can do in a month and underestimate what they can do in an hour.”

    ― Unknown

    Try the Pomodoro Technique for yourself

    Give it a try for a few days and compare how much you get done, and how good you feel, to your normal workday.

    Most people find this time management technique highly effective and reach the end of the day feeling much more refreshed than usual. You’ll probably find that it also improves your ability to focus and concentrate.

    Try it for tasks at home, too! Set your timer and see how much housework you can get done in 25 minutes. Your children can use the technique for homework and studying.

    Take the Pomodoro Technique for a test-run and see just how much you can get done each day. You’ll find that you can accomplish much more in 25 minutes than you ever thought.

    Boost your productivity with the Pomodoro Task Tracker

    Download this free Pomodoro Task Tracker to keep track of your main goals and the tasks necessary to complete those goals.