Easy Productivity Tricks to Help you Become More Efficient

The Importance of Staying Productive

Productivity is a measure of how efficiently a task is completed. Increased productivity means you can get more done with the same amount of input. If you're a productive person, you can create more from less, complete your work with higher efficiency, and enjoy more free time. Staying productive is the key to success, as it helps you grow and enables you to get more and better work done in less time.  

The importance of staying productive lies in productivity leading to economic growth, wherein an economy can produce and consume more and more goods and services for the same amount of work. Everyone – from consumers to workers and employers can benefit from productivity growth. 

How Can Productivity Improve Your Life?

It doesn't matter what you do or where you work, we love feeling productive. Studies have found a link between productivity and happiness. Few things feel as good as the sense of achievement in getting something worthwhile done. The end of a productive workday can be termed euphoric. Staying productive can help maintain a healthy work/life balance, and for many of us, work seems more enjoyable and less stressful when we're productive.  

There are many ways productivity tricks improve an individual's personal life. 

Productivity allows you to get what you want faster and get more in less time. Being more productive brings you closer to your goals while maintaining a healthy balance in life. Personal productivity can mean different things – improving your health, increasing your income, or even nurturing social relationships. By staying productive at home, you can also improve your workplace productivity, making you better equipped to maintain schedules, meet deadlines, and reduce stress and distractions arising from juggling home and work. 

It can be challenging to maintain professional productivity, but it is essential. Creating a work-life balance is vital for physical, emotional, and mental well-being and your professional life. An effective work/life balance encourages employees to work harder and restrain them from quitting their jobs. Staying productive leads to less stress, reduced risk of burnout, and a greater sense of well-being. Being more productive means completing your work efficiently, tackling tasks quickly, and enjoying more free time to pursue hobbies or maintain family commitments. 

Productivity Tricks to Achieve More in Less Time

There are ways to be more productive. From better time management to apps that help you stay organized and easy email management strategies, these 20 productivity tricks will help you increase productivity and become your best, most productive self. 

1. Get Into a Routine 

Staying productive can begin with getting into a routine – waking up at the same time every day, exercising, having breakfast or tea/coffee, setting off for work, or sitting down at your workspace (if working from home), to start the workday. Following a schedule will help you stay organized and alert, knowing what to expect. This makes it easier to start the day productively, no matter what's on the plate. 

2. Start Each Day With a Plan

Create a prioritized to-do list before getting to work each day. Tackle the most difficult tasks first though they may seem easier to push off and procrastinate. Once you have accomplished the most demanding tasks, you'll feel more confident and motivated to get through the rest of the list. 

3. Set a Timer

Estimate the time you'll need to tackle the various tasks and set timers accordingly. There are several ways to go about this – like the famous Pomodoro technique lets you focus on a task for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break. 

If a task requires a longer time, consider any timer-based apps that allow you to set yourself a timer.  

4. Get Rid of Distractions

Distractions, including the phone, email notifications, a busy workspace, or having multiple browsers open on the system can lead to poor productivity. Learn how to reduce distractions and increase your focus while working. Focus tools are available to help you remove distractions.

5. Prioritize Tasks Ahead of Time

List your tasks in order of importance to ensure that you complete all of your most essential tasks for the workday. 

6. Set Small Objectives

Plan out small goals throughout the day, which you can set and reach during your work hours. These little wins serve not only as milestones to measure your progress but also keep your motivation from dwindling as you work your way towards the larger goals. 

7. Group Similar Tasks

Organize similar tasks like blog writing, emails, phone calls into a single batch so you can save time by completing them in one session. There are user-friendly apps that can help plan out your day, set reminders, and group all-important tasks into batches. 

8. Reward Yourself for Completing a Big Task

Rewarding yourself for small achievements and milestones is a great way to stay motivated while working. Whenever you're in a tight spot, check how far you've come.

9. Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking can hamper productivity. Focus on one thing at a time to boost productivity. 

10. Make Meetings Productive

If you have meetings lined up, work towards making these meetings more productive and contributing to your overall work progress. 

11. Find Out Your Productive Hours

For most people, morning is the time of the day when they are more productive than others. Find out your productive hours and plan your work schedule accordingly. 

12. Get Everything Noted Down

Write down your to-do jobs, thoughts, and ideas at any time. The key is to get everything noted down, so you don't forget the critical tasks. Certain apps help jot down notes and then share them with teammates. 

13. Get Adequate Sleep/Rest

There's no alternative to a good night's sleep if you're trying to make your working hours the most productive. Poor sleep impairs focus, memory, decision-making, problem-solving, and alertness – all of which play an integral role in keeping you at the top of your game. 

14. Outsource Work If Possible

If your goal is to achieve more in less time, outsource or delegate everyday tasks effectively. 

15. Listen to Podcasts

Educational podcasts or audiobooks are an excellent way to learn and add hours to your day. 

16. Take Regular Breaks

You can't always be working at maximum productivity. Your brain needs breaks, or you may tumble down an internet rabbit hole. Take frequent breaks every day to relax the brain. 

17. Schedule Time for Checking Mails

Cut the time spent responding to emails. Constantly checking and responding to emails can add to stress at work. Set pre-determined time frames for mail checks to make sure you save time and boost productivity. 

18. Work From Home To Avoid the Daily Commute

If your job offers you flexibility, consider working from home to save on commute time and maintain energy levels throughout the workday. 

19. Eat Small Meals Throughout the Day

Studies have proven well-established links between a healthy diet and productivity. But, how we eat matters almost as much as what we eat. Eating smaller meals over a day rather than having two or three big meals can help sustain a steady level of glucose, which keeps the energy levels high, helping you stay productive. 

20. Make the Most Out of Your Weekends

Spend weekends relaxing with family, friends, and yourself. Ensure you spend quality time with loved ones so your mind and body get fully recharged for work in the week ahead. 

Final Thoughts

Improving productivity can be an ongoing process. And, it can be particularly difficult to know where to start. If you’re looking to improve productivity at work and home, exploring the above tips and including them one by one can be a good way to get started. Trying them all at once can feel overwhelming and frankly, make your way towards productivity seem like a long, arduous battle that you just can’t win. Therefore, to keep the frustration at bay, take one step at a time. You can also check out some productivity tools that can help you in the process.  

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