How do we become more productive without putting in monumental effort and while avoiding burnout? It’s the question on everyone’s lips living through the Great Resignation, the work from home phenomenon and not to mention a global pandemic.
Here are fifteen simple hacks to boost your productivity without huge amounts of effort:
#1 The System
Peak productivity requires a system.
It doesn’t matter whether you prefer to purchase a beautifully bedazzled daily planner or opt for a with-you-wherever-you-go mobile calendar and task app.
Just find an organisational system which works for you and stick to it. Note down all key events, craft your to-do list and track those deadlines.
#2 Prioritisation
No, this does not mean doing all the easy tasks first. Or even jumping straight to the most difficult task first.
Prioritisation works best when it is tailored to the to-do list in front of you.
Think about causality. What has to be cleared first so that you can move on to other things?
#3 Break
Work in short bursts with built-in breaks to reach peak productivity. Allow yourself time to recharge - both in-between tasks and for extended periods at the weekend.
#4 Reduce Little Distractions
How can you expect yourself to remain fully focused when your little screen is pinging, vibrating and flashing for your attention?
Set up Do Not Disturb times on your phone. Take headphones to work to block out distracting noise. Use social media blockers to avoid being sucked into a scrolling black hole.
Take note of the little interruptions and distractions in your day and work towards eliminating them.
#5 Clean Out Your Inbox
Dedicate ten minutes on a Monday afternoon to culling your inbox.
Although it might seem strange not to jump on your emails first thing in the morning, doing this in the afternoon means that your priority tasks get done before your emails hand you another million things to do.
Unsubscribe from useless marketing info and set up filters to permanently - and automatically - streamline your inbox.
#6 Out of Office
Get strategic with your out of office messages. They’re not just for vacation time!
Working hard on an important project? Leave an auto-response message highlighting that you will be focused on this project between 9am and 11am and request email contact only after this time.
Constructing boundaries will not only help you to focus, but will ensure others give you space to focus too.
#7 Scan the Next Day
Before going to sleep each night, run through the next day in your mind.
Consider your likely energy peak points and organise when you will work on your priority tasks accordingly.
Plan how you will solve any potential snags. Perhaps give a friend a heads-up that you might need them to help out with the school run if your meeting overruns. Add a phone reminder so that you don’t forget to pick up things for dinner again.
Doing this heavy logistical thinking in advance will leave you freer to work through your to-do list productively.
#8 Maximise Your Commute
Figure out how your commute time can work best for you.
You might listen to a personal development podcast, learn a new skill, catch up with a friend to boost your mood, or meditate to relax your mind.
#9 Work Zones
Figure out where you work best for different tasks.
Perhaps sit comfortably for dense mind-consuming tasks. Walk around while on the phone to feel energised.
#10 Time Blocking
Tailor your work day around your most productive and energised times of the day.
Early bird? Grind through your most taxing tasks first thing.
Night owl? Start the morning slowly with some energising conversations with colleagues and essential admin.
#11 Goal Setting
A great way to stay motivated when your productivity ebbs is to think about your big goals.
Break down your long-term goals into manageable objectives. Recognising that you are moving towards your goals, even in just tiny bite-sized chunks, will increase your motivation.
#12 Say No
Saying yes too often becomes a huge drag on our productivity levels.
Try saying no more often than you say yes. When someone comes to you with a grand idea, a new project or a request, ask them to explain why it is worth your time and out-prioritises your other work.
#13 Schedule Time for Self Care
Book yourself a massage. Take a walk outside on your break. Catch up with friends. Read or pick up a new hobby.
Whatever it is, schedule your self care into your calendar - it’s as important as the other events in your life.
#14 Recognise Your ‘Running on Empty’ Symptoms
Whether it's rubbing your eyes, feeling cranky, or social media scrolling, know what your ‘running on empty’ looks like.
Take a break before you reach your capacity.
#15 Define Productivity
It’s easy to become hung up when we feel we haven’t had a productive day.
But productivity is something that has an upper limit. Recognise that you can’t be 100% productive all the time. Don’t berate yourself for not crossing off as many items on your to-do list as you had planned.
Some days you will be more productive than others. Accepting this will make you happier and, ironically, more productive.
