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Striking a balance between ambition and efficiency is a constant challenge for those striving to be more productive. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of inspiration from individuals who have cracked the code on productivity. Whether you’re looking to tackle your to-do list with renewed vigor or optimize your workflow for peak efficiency, these 15 strategies are sure to help you accomplish more each day.
1. Keep Your Sleep Regimented
Let’s be honest: We can all use more healthy sleep. By going to sleep at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning, we can set ourselves up for success. I’m not arguing for ten-hour slumberfests, either! Science has proven that those who maintain regular sleep schedules are far more productive than those who don’t.
2. Utilize a To-Do List
According to countless people, creating a to-do list for the next day at the end of each night makes them more productive. Like making a budget, the benefits of visualizing your future goals are paramount! “It takes a few minutes, and visualizing it leads to a higher likelihood that I’ll do it and a sense of accomplishment the next day when I check things off,” confesses one workaholic.
3. Give Yourself Manageable Goals
Sometimes, giving ourselves tiny, manageable goals (as opposed to long-term, impossible ones) creates a sense of urgency. Think about it: You’ll be far more motivated to check things off your list if they are easier to accomplish. You’ll gain momentum while feeling productive when you achieve more goals. Sometimes, productivity is a state of mind!
4. Sleep With Your Smartphone in Another Room
I have the least productive habit in the known universe: Most nights, I sleep with my smartphone under my pillow, leading to endless nights of restless sleep. When I remember to place my smartphone in another room before I go to bed, I enjoy the most restful and wonderful sleep known to man. Trust me, your phone’s location is the difference between feeling alert and lethargic each morning!
5. Start Your Day Disconnected
If you’re anything like me, your brain is hard-wired to “find and scroll” as soon as you awake. I have the world’s tiniest panic attack if I’m not holding my smartphone within approximately 0.4 seconds of waking up. But let’s be honest: We all know that’s no way to live. It’s okay to disconnect occasionally, and starting your day the old-fashioned way (far away from any devices) is a surefire method to increase your productivity.
6. Re-Wire Your Brain
Productivity can come in all shapes and sizes; when it comes to small chores around the house, you must complete them as quickly as possible. One person subscribes to the “Don’t put it down, put it away” method, and I can’t find anything wrong with it! “I’ve timed it,” one woman confesses. “It takes on average of five to ten seconds to put something away in its proper place as opposed to leaving it on a counter or the floor.” Amen!
7. Do Morning Chores the Night Before
Listen to the voice inside your head; stop procrastinating! In many cases, chores and things that need to be done the next day can be completed the night before. Although it took me a long time to grasp the reasoning behind it, my girlfriend (eventually) convinced me that it’s far more productive to do the dishes before going to bed instead of waiting to do them the following day.
8. Wind Down Without Technology
Being productive is more than just “doing” things efficiently; it’s about being smart with how you live your life! Countless people confess that giving themselves proper time to decompress by not watching TV, listening to music, or endlessly scrolling through their phones before bed makes them far more productive during the day. It makes sense; as a society, we operated fine before smartphones became ubiquitous.
9. Take Time to Prepare for Meetings
In the eyes of many productive people, preparation is the name of the game. One person puts it all into perspective: “Spending ten minutes preparing for a meeting, no matter how trivial it is, makes everything run smoother,” explains one woman. “I increase my productivity tenfold by going through e-mails, past documents, or anything else I need to do.”
10. Drink More Water
It’s fascinating how many people openly admit they don’t drink as much water as they should! Even if you believe you drink the most water out of everybody you know, experts agree that even more water consumption is beneficial. Dehydration causes a lack of clarity, focus, and motivation, so do yourself a favor and pour yourself a tall glass of the good stuff!
11. Use the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is straightforward: It batches your time into dedicated, uninterrupted pockets to ensure you are as productive as possible. Take a five-minute break for every 25 minutes of focused work. People don’t realize how much work they can get down when they have no outside distractions and work under a time crunch!
12. Work With a Buddy
Everything’s easier when you’re working alongside somebody you enjoy working with! Going about your day in an isolated manner has advantages, but there’s nothing like the motivation of working alongside somebody else (or working in a team). Take me, for example. I’m writing this next to my beautiful girlfriend, and every tap of my laptop keyboard impresses her (at least, that’s what I tell myself).
13. Change Your Scenery
Switching up where you work (or even relax) is a proven method for increasing productivity. A change of scenery can spice up the most drab and dull work environments! Moving to a coffee shop, brewery, or co-op space can act as a revitalizer if you usually work from home or the office. Most don’t realize how content they are with familiar surroundings; changing up your surroundings can be the motivating change you need to make!
14. Take Mini-Breaks Throughout Your Day
We can all agree that we work too hard, right? Many believe scheduling designated “mini-breaks” into your day’s schedule is the best way to keep your motivation and productivity at the highest level possible. The logic is straightforward: Not only are you working toward achieving goals, but you’re working toward enjoying that well-earned break!
15. Outsource Tasks
If you struggle to optimize productivity, do what millions of workers do: Outsource it! Sometimes, what matters most is that the job gets done, not that you are physically the person who completes it. There’s no shame in outsourcing your responsibilities; stress is a significant component of our daily lives, and we should take any opportunity to alleviate ourselves of it.
Source: Reddit.
16 Simple Ways to Recover From Burnout
Image Credit: Shutterstock.[/caption]
There are occasions when we all need to take a time out. When the pressures of work or other areas of our daily lives become too much, it’s good to walk away and take time for ourselves. If those pressures aren’t addressed, they can lead to burnout. This unpleasant phenomenon involves many symptoms, including exhaustion and a lack of motivation. However, if you feel you’ve crossed the line from tiredness to burnout, there is good news: There are many ways to get on the road to recovery.
- Read More: 16 Simple Ways to Recover From Burnout
12 Assertive Ways to Respond When Your Boss Ignores You
Image Credit: Shutterstock.[/caption]
One of the more concerning realizations you could make at work is that your boss ignores you. They don’t respond to your emails or DMs or have time to talk to you in person. So, why is your boss ignoring you all of a sudden? Could it be that they are angry at you for some reason? Do they no longer value you as a professional and an employee? Or are they simply too busy to respond to you? However, one crucial thing to remember is that every situation is unique, so the resolution to your situation might come from one or several of the steps outlined below. Whatever the reason for their lack of attentiveness, we have twelve tips to help you determine the best course of action to restore the lines of communication.
