Increase Productivity: Time to Make $H!T Happen

Increase productivity by instating a consistent routine, eliminating distractions, and getting out of your own head. More work done in less time means more time to kick back, relax and have fun. You want a fulfilling career, a home of your own, and better health. Or perhaps you have smaller goals, such as learning a new language or traveling more often. However, you never find the time or the perfect opportunity to get started.

The truth is that most people fail to achieve their goals not because they lack talent or have bad ideas, but because they quit. They get caught up in ruminating over what they might do and never take action. Here are a few suggestions that can really make a difference:

Increase Productivity:
5 Quick Steps to Get You Started and Increase Productivity

1. Keep a daily routine

Some people minimize the value of a consistent schedule. The truth is that it can really boost productivity and prevent work from spilling over into your spare time. By starting and stopping work at approximately the same times every day, you ensure you'll have plenty of time to recharge afterwards, which is ultimately great for productivity.

2. Always plan ahead

Something as simple as a daily to-do list can do wonders for your productivity. Sure, deciding on the spot what to do next has a certain charm, but it leaves you spending too much time on deciding, and too little on actually working. Keep a daily to-do list and decide on your tasks for the next day before your work day is over - you'll notice the difference almost immediately!

3. Stay healthy

It's impossible to stay productive in the long run if you treat your body and mind poorly. You don't have to become a health nut to get some real work done, but you should at the very least try to schedule some exercise a couple of times per week, even if it's just going for a walk around the block. It's also a good idea to invest in an ergonomic workplace, including a good chair to sit on, as that helps reduce fatigue and keep you energized throughout the day.

4. Eliminate (or at least minimize) distractions

Yes, some people are able to watch TV or listen to music while they're working. They're probably a minority, however, as most of us find it quite difficult to focus on two things simultaneously. When you're working, turn off the TV, set your phone to silent, close your Facebook tab and shut the door - your productivity will skyrocket!

5. Get out 

Even if you're the type of person who enjoys working alone, the fact is it can get lonely after a while. If you spend all your week cooped up in your office, rarely seeing the outside world, chances are you'll feel a bit isolated and your work will suffer as a result. Therefore, make a point of leaving the house at least a few times per week, even if it's just to do something simple such as meeting a friend for lunch.

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Increase Productivity:
Get Organized

Getting organized is not just a good idea because your mom said so. There are lots of benefits to being in control and developing a clutter-free lifestyle. It's a vital step if you want to increase productivity.

1.    Less stress

When organized you are automatically less stressed, you know where your keys, wallet, important papers, phone charger and phone are. Similarly, if your project plan is up to date and you complete your reports on time, there’s no need to worry about on-the-spot requests for project updates or meetings.

2.    More time

Planning your time and keeping up-to-date means you can allocate time for everything in your life, including downtime. Being organized means, you won’t get sidetracked or panicked by not being able to find important items. You’ll be punctual and more productive.

3.    Ready for the unexpected

You can be prepared for last-minute requests or deadlines because you’re not distracted by untidiness or the mental cloud of not being quite sure where things stand. That is true for everything from planning your child’s birthday party to that big project at work you are overseeing.

4.    Better health

Studies have shown that being organized has demonstrable health benefits. Lower stress levels mean lower blood pressure and less body inflammation. Also, your immune system is stronger, and you’re less likely to be at risk of depression. You set up a positive feedback loop that spills over into other areas of your life. Better organization habits lead to better eating, exercise and sleep habits.

5.    Nothing feels overwhelming

Having your life running smoothly, means you’re much calmer and in a better mental position to deal with things. You can look at your to-do list without panicking because you know you can do it. You know that you can tackle the list task-by-task without feeling overwhelmed.

6.    More energy

It might seem counter-intuitive but putting effort into planning and organizing your life gives you more energy. You’re less stressed because your mind isn’t obsessing about all the stuff you have to do. When you have a plan, you’re in control and know you can get it all done. If your papers, ideas, and tasks are in order, you can see a way through. Life is no longer a chaotic mystery!

Finally, being organized signals trust and reliability. If you are on time, follow through on your commitments and are ready for whatever comes at you, you will project an image of professionalism and responsibility. You will look promotion-ready and get more respect from your colleagues and your family.

 

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You have a problem letting go. Chances are you’re also hanging onto a whole bunch of bad feelings, ill-founded assumptions, old grievances and future worries.

If it feels good to de-clutter your house, it feels even better to de-clutter your mind. Here are some useful expert tips to make some space in your mind.

 

1.    Use some meditation techniques to increase productivity

You don’t have to do the full sitting on a cushion in a darkened room thing to benefit from meditation techniques. If you’re feeling over-wound, some simple breathing techniques can help you calm down and focus. For a few minutes, focus only on your breathing and nothing else. If your mind wanders or gets back into the worrying groove, you must put that aside and come back to focus on your breath.

 

2.    Write it down

It can help to write down anything that’s on your mind. Once all those worries are down on paper, you can prioritize them and work out a plan to deal with them. You can also assess them to identify what’s essential and what isn’t. When you can see what’s important, you can focus your energy and free up some of that mental space!

 

3.    Stay in the present to increase productivity

Brooding over the past and worrying about the future take up a lot of space in your mind and achieve precisely nothing. Let go of regret over past mistakes or resentment of past slights and move on. Keep your focus on what you can influence right here, right now.

 

4.    Do one thing at a time

Multitasking is not only overrated (it’s very inefficient), it also leads to greater anxiety, and you never do any one thing properly. Focus on doing things methodically and thoroughly. As you finish one task, move onto the next.

 

5.    Control all the incoming data

We talk about being available 24/7 and the 24-hour news cycle, but there is only one person who can control that. You. You can choose to switch off your computer, smartphone, and TV and control the amount of data your brain is trying to process.

De-cluttering your mind will pay off in all sorts of ways you hadn’t imagined. You will increase productivity, be less stressed and more motivated.

 

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Increase Productivity:
Make a To-Do List

Are you using to-do lists throughout your day? If not, you may be missing out on one of the post powerful productivity tools out there. It doesn’t matter if you use the old-fashioned notebook and pen, or a to-do list app on your phone. There are three reasons why they work so well when it comes to keeping you productive all day long.

 

To-Do Lists Help You Make a Plan and Increase Productivity

When you sit down to make out your to-do list you’re forced to plan your day. You’re taking a look at everything you’re working on and deciding what you need to take care of today and in what order.

Depending on how you make out your list, you may even think about what items on your list have the highest priority. The simple task of making the list makes you work out a lot of things in your head ahead of time. This alone will help you stay more productive throughout your day.

 

To-Do Lists Keep You Focused and Increase Productivity

Having that list in front of  you, or next to you as you work away will help you stay focused on what you need to work on and accomplish throughout your busy day. We are all dealing with distractions. It’s easy to lose focus and get sucked into meaningless tasks and conversations.

With your list you know at a glance what you should be working on and if you make yourself get into the habit of not calling it a day until each item on your list is taken care of, you’re less likely to allow those distractions to take over a big chunks of your day.

 

To-Do Lists Give You A Feeling Of Accomplishment

Checking of an item on your to-do list gives you a sense of accomplishment. For some this is more effective when they can cross something of a piece of paper. For others, clicking the little check mark on the app does the trick. Try them both and see what works best for you.

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