Being productive and efficient with how you expend time and energy has become a branch of science today. But the challenges of achieving optimal productivity levels are increasing, with things like on-demand Netflix movies and TV shows at the palm of your hands and social media platforms churning out content by the minute. You can still, however, boost productivity using five simple yet very powerful techniques that do not consume more of your limited time, energy, or money.
Establish and Recheck Goals
Establishing goals and rechecking them regularly can give you a clear indication of your progress and how much more you need to work in order to achieve the goals you've set for yourself. The goals you set must be SMART - smart, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Be as detailed as possible when setting goals. This will help you determine whether or not you are actually making any concrete steps towards it.
Redesign Your Work/Study Environment
If you are always getting sidetracked by your favorite sitcom or by the sound of your neighbor's dogs outside, it's time for a change in scenery and environment. Start by setting the mood for more focused work with a sound therapy machine or the Deep Focus playlist on Spotify.
Redesign your work space to minimize as much background noise, excess lighting, and irrelevant content as possible. Close the windows, dim the lights, or take out the television from the room. In fact, have an entirely separate area for relaxing and playing that is completely separate from your work area. So, maybe have a room with your gaming console and a foosball table where you go for breaks when you're not working. All these measures can help turn your work or study space into a more productivity enhanced environment.
Surround Yourself With Inspiration
Your inspiration can be sourced from books, educational films, travel documentaries, or people. Friends and coworkers who enjoy the same interests and passions as you do can force you to produce more in a shorter span of time, It sparks a healthy dose of competition in your life, enough for you to choose to work extra shifts and study late nights just to remain ahead of the competition. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people also helps you absorb more information and think of more ideas as you collaborate with them.
Sleep and Eat Well
Your health is the most important asset you should invest in. Not getting enough rest and not getting enough nutrition from your diet can lead to diseases, which can disrupt your normal productive self. Sleep at least 7 hours per day and eat a well-balanced diet, consisting of protein, carbohydrates, and minerals. Drink vitamins and exercise regularly to keep both your mind and body in tiptop shape. Taking 30-minute power naps in the afternoon has also been claimed to improve productivity throughout the day, and is something to consider if you have time in your day-to-day schedule.
Automate Tasks
Take advantage of the modern technologies we have today. From calendars to automated payment systems that takes care of your utility bills and loans, automating tasks can reduce the mental and physical workload. It frees up your mind and time to focus on more important tasks, like work, study, and family.
Boosting your productivity doesn't mean spending more time at work. It simply means being more smart about how you spend your active hours. The five tips above should act as a good boilerplate for such endeavor.
Shawn is always looking for natural ways to live a healthier and more productive life. When she's not trying out new green smoothie recipes or hiking in the local mountains, you can find her sharing ways to optimize your body.