10 ways to increase productivity and achieve more in less time
Most people don’t realize how much time they spend on Facebook or their email. It’s really easy to get distracted by these things and not actually work. It isn’t rocket science to be more productive at work, but it does necessitate being more careful about how you manage your time.
Because there are only so many hours in a day, making the most of them is essential. You can either put in more hours or work smarter to boost your production. I’m not sure about you, but I prefer the second option.
If you’re reading this, chances are you feel like your time management skills could use a little bit of work. We all have those days where we’re just spinning our wheels and don’t know what to do next.
Well, it’s time to take back control of your day!
In the following blog post I’m going to cover 10 easy ways that will help increase productivity so you can get more done in less time.
1. Set a Timer
Estimate how much time you’ll need to complete various chores and set a timer for each one. It is entirely up to you how you go about doing this, as there are numerous options. The Pomodoro technique involves focusing on a job for 25 minutes and then taking a five-minute break.
Research has shown that taking breaks from your work increases productivity by up to 44%. So you can consider one of the many timer-based apps.
Clockify is called Set A Timer which sets a timer with notifications to remind you to get up and stretch, drink water or go for a walk every 20 minutes while you’re at work. It’s free for all!
2. Follow the "two-minute rule."
To make the most of the tiny windows of time you have at work, entrepreneur Steve Olenski advocates using the “two-minute rule.” The concept is simple: if you see a task or action that can be completed in two minutes or less, do it right away. According to Olenski, finishing the task immediately saves time compared to returning to it later. As a result of his efforts, he has become one of the most influential content strategists online.
Simply, The two-minute rule simply means for every two minutes you’re feeling good, make sure you spend at least one minute trying to make yourself feel bad again. So if you’re sad but then happy for 10 minutes, spend 5 minutes being sad again for balance! It might sound counterintuitive but it really helps maintain a realistic view on life and your emotions!
3. Turn off notifications
You have probably seen the notification icon on your phone or laptop screen. It’s a little bell that rings when you get an alert, like when someone follows you on Instagram or likes your Facebook post. But how much time do these notifications really take up?
An average person spends more than 3 hours per day in total interacting with their devices- and of those 3 hours, it is estimated that 1 hour and 40 minutes are spent just waiting for alerts to show up.
The attraction of an email, voicemail, or text message is impossible to resist. Turn off your notifications during work hours and schedule time to check your email and messages.
4. Work in 90-minute intervals
If you’re anything like me, then you feel that no day is complete without a little bit of work. But the question is: how much? Some people are only able to focus for 15 minutes at a time before their attention starts to wane and they start checking their phone or scrolling through social media feeds.
Others can power through all day but find themselves feeling burnt out by the end of it. If this sounds like you, I have some good news! There’s an easy way to increase productivity and achieve more in less time-work in 90 minute intervals instead of 8 hour days.
Elite performers (athletes, chess players, musicians, etc.) who work in intervals of no more than 90 minutes are more productive than those who work for more than 90 minutes, according to Florida State University researchers. They also discovered that top performers labor for little more than 4.5 hours every day.
That sounds great to me!
5 Don’t Multitask
Multitaskingis the act of doing two tasks at once. It’s become a modern-day expectation to be able to do this, but for many people who are trying to accomplish more in less time, it can actually have the opposite effect.
Research has shown that multitasking can lead to decreased productivity as well as an increased likelihood of making mistakes.
Attempting to complete multiple activities at once, according to psychologists, might result in lost time and productivity. Instead, make it a practice to dedicate yourself to a single endeavor before moving on to the next.
6. Find out Your Productive Hours
The average person spends a lot of time in their day doing things that are not productive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we spend an average of 3 hours on our cell phones each day. That’s three wasted hours per day!
The solution? Find out your productive hours and use these times for tasks that will increase productivity in less time.
Everyone has a peak productivity period during the day when they are more productive than others. It’s morning for me.
Determine when you are most productive and adjust your work schedule accordingly.
7. Keep a Notebook and Pen on Hand at All Times
One of the best ways to increase productivity is by keeping a notebook and pen on hand at all times. This will allow you to take quick notes or jot down ideas when they come up, without having to stop what you are doing in order to do so.
You can jot down your thoughts, to-dos, and ideas at any time this manner. The idea is to write down everything that comes to mind. You won’t be reminded about it every second of the day by your subconscious mind. Another option is to download the Evernote app.
Keeping a notebook and pen on hand is a simple yet effective way to increase productivity. This was proven in a recent study where participants who took notes with pen and paper were more likely to remember information than those who typed the same material into their laptops.
Having something physical to write on will make you feel more committed, which can lead to increased focus. Plus, taking notes by hand has been shown to help boost creativity!
8. Write out a To-Do-List Each Day
When you think of the word “to-do” list, it’s usually something that takes up a lot of time. In fact, many people will tell you how they just don’t have enough time to do everything on their list.
The time of the day when you’re feeling most productive is not necessarily when your brain is functioning at its best. In order to save time and increase productivity, try writing out a list each night before bed. You’ll be able to wake up in the morning knowing exactly what needs to get done that day, and won’t have to waste precious hours trying to figure it out as soon as you open your eyes.
I prefer to make plans for the next day the night before. As a result, as soon as I get up, I can begin working on my most critical chores. The Full Life Planner is a useful tool for organizing your days and completing important tasks.
Check out the planner and start planning your day ahead of time today!
9. Get up Early from Bed
I know it could be difficult for some to wake up early in the morning but nothing beats a quiet house!
There are a lot of perks to waking up early. You have the whole day ahead of you, and all the time in the world to accomplish your goals! Unfortunately, it can be tough to get out of bed when we’re so cozy and warm under our blankets. Here are some tips for getting that alarm clock off your head and into your hands:
- Set an alarm one hour before you need to wake up
- Take a cold shower or drink ice water
- Drink tea or coffee (depending on how much caffeine you want)
- Read something funny while drinking tea/coffee
- Turn on some upbeat music
- Create a morning routine list before going to sleep
10. Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep might become a distant memory when you work online. It is, nonetheless, critical to get enough sleep in order to be as productive as possible throughout your working hours.
Let’s be honest, we all know that sleep is important. It helps us to think clearly and increases productivity by increasing the effectiveness of our work/study time. But what if I told you that it doesn’t take a long time for an increase in productivity?
In fact, just one extra hour of sleep can make you more productive up to 10 hours! This means that instead of working on your project from 9am-5pm, you could get the same amount done from 8am-6pm – meaning less stress and more free time for yourself and others around you!
So grab some coffee or tea, go lay down for an hour or two before starting your day off right with plenty of productive minutes ahead .
Conclusion
The best way to increase productivity is by getting organized and planning ahead. To make the most of your time, you need a plan that will work with your unique priorities and lifestyle.
Don’t be afraid to get creative!
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