There are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week, although many people wish there were more – especially those that find themselves with too much on their plate. While there isn’t a magic wand to wave that will give busy people more time, there are ways that we can be more productive with our time.
1. Turn Off the Distractions
Technology can be very distracting. We try to do important tasks while sitting in front of the television, with our cell phones buzzing and ringing next to us. We immediately stop what we’re doing to check every new notification or to open every new email that pops-up on our screen. Even though most of these distractions only take a few seconds to dismiss, they interrupt our creative flow and waste our time. These few seconds can quickly add up to minutes that you could be spending doing something else.
Move to a different room. Turn off the tv. Set your phone to silent. Close your internet browser. Unplug your wi-fi. Remove the batteries from your remote. Do whatever it is you need to do to turn off the distractions and focus on the task at hand.
2. Get Off the Couch
You will need to get off the couch in order to accomplish the tasks on your to-do list. If you’re one of those people who likes to play on the computer while watching tv or laying in bed – that’s fine, provided you are actually “playing” and not trying to work. Anything “work” related should be done at a desk or failing that, your kitchen table. Sitting upright is a lot easier on your body (specifically your back, neck, shoulders, wrists and eyes), making you more comfortable and more productive.
Your couch should be used for relaxing, not for working. Same goes for your bed. Using your spaces for their defined purpose will help strengthen your mental associations (such as office = work, bedroom = sleep) which will also help you be more productive.
3. Do the Hardest and/or Dullest Thing First
You’re going to have to do it anyways, so why not do it first and get it over with? You will feel better and more accomplished that it’s done and it will free-up your schedule and your brain to do the easier, more enjoyable tasks. Chances are you have more energy and focus when you are “fresh”, so dragging out these undesirable tasks until the end of the day will only make concentrating that much harder.
4. Listen To Your Body
On that note, you should listen to what your body is telling you. If you really aren’t a morning person at all, tackling the hardest thing first might not be ideal. Maybe you need that caffeine to kick in before you can really get going. Pay attention to your own attention span and energy levels. However they work for you, do the harder things when your energy levels are the highest and save the more routine tasks for when they are the lowest.
5. Take 5 Minutes
When you are feeling overwhelmed with your never-ending to-do list, a daunting project, or just don’t have the energy or motivation to get things done – work for 5 minutes. Set a timer for 5 minutes and work until the timer goes off. After 5 minutes, it’s up to you if you want to continue working, switch to something else for another 5 minutes, or throw in the towel. Most of the time, you will continue working even if it’s only for a few minutes more – because starting is usually the hardest part. If you do decide that 5 minutes is enough, at have at least accomplished something.
6. Give Yourself a Break
Stepping away from your work is good for you. Your brain can only work for so long before it needs to rest, and sitting at a desk at all day could kill you. So take a break! Stretch your legs. Grab a drink. Go for a short walk. Go for a long walk. Grab lunch. Grab dinner. Lay on the couch. Take a shower. Take a bubble bath. Take a nap. Take a 2 week vacation. Take whatever break you need and that the situation allows. Take care of yourself so that you can be productive and accomplish your goals.
What are your secret tips and tricks to be more productive?
I think #1 is something that businesses need to follow better. Almost every office building I’ve been to in the past few years has been moving towards a more “open” office, where cubicles are much more open and there is a never-ending stream of distractions. I definitely work much better when my distractions are limited.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…Are Your Hobbies Costing You Too Much?
Ugh. They keep threatening to move toward more open concept offices at my job and I am very vocal about not wanting that! It would not work well for me, at all.
I try and multi-task, but only to the extent of doing two things at the same time. For example, while the dishwasher or washing machine is doing its thing, I’ll tidy up around the house or check my emails. I find if I try to have too many things going at the same time, everything is half-done, rather than completely done.
Karen recently posted…How to Save Money on Your Next Holiday
I know exactly what you mean. That, or if I get distracted by something else, I don’t get the satisfaction of knowing that something is 100% done.
Hey Amanda, I like the tips. I can definitely say that step 6 “Give Yourself a Break’, has been tremendously helpful for myself. It is not just relaxing, it can also be extremely helpful due to the fact that it lets us reflect on what we have been so busy doing. Sometimes ‘powering through’ problems is not the most effective path to a desirable ending.
Thanks again!
Rick Laming @ Getrichbrothers.com
Fair enough. I also get overwhelmed by all of the outstanding things, and sometimes have trouble remembering that I have still made a lot of progress on my to-do list.
For me, I’m the opposite. I like to do the quick/fast/easy stuff first to get them out of the way. It also makes me feel like I accomplished something. Hahaa
This is superior advice! I love the way you laid it out and just nailed it! #3 and #5 are really good reminders for me. 🙂
kay ~ lifestylevoices.com recently posted…7 Random Thoughts About Florida’s Space Coast
These are good tips. My big problem during the day is email. I can get 100-200 legitimate emails during any given day. If I answer and reply as I go along, I am constantly interrupted. But if I don’t, it becomes a huge mountain of hassle to deal with.
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted…4 Reasons Zero-Sum Budgets Are Awesome
I was just thinking about this topic. I really need to focus and be more productive. I definitely need to turn off the distractions….technology makes it easier and easier to get distracted and to be unproductive. As for doing the hardest/dullest task first…I tend to do the opposite…not that it usually works. But sometimes it does, I need to accomplish a few easy tasks to get me on a roll before I take on something more complex.
Andrew@LivingRichCheaply recently posted…Stop Being Time Poor
If only I had the will power to close my internet browser. My focus would be so much intense.
Tim @ Get Niche Quick recently posted…Check Out My Wife
All great tips. Getting out of bed early is a big one for me. I need to make sure that I get enough sleep, but too much and I’m just missing out on a wonderfully early start.
Janeen recently posted…Cheaper & Easier Paleo / AIP Super Bowl Food You’ll Enjoy
I would add: Take a walk. Having a dog is a great excuse to get outside and take a walk. It gives you a chance to clear your mind and think about other things for 20 minutes or so. When you return, the dog is happier and so am I.
Yes – that’s a great one!
Amanda @ My Life, I Guess recently posted…The New Job Honeymoon Phase is Over
I am totally guilty of working while sitting on my couch or in bed, but I’m fixing it by re-doing my home office and getting it work-in-able. Good tips!
Kayla @ Femme Frugality recently posted…Budget Hack: Keeping Track of Expenses Creatively
The one I have trouble with is #3. I always seem to find myself doing the easiest and more satisfying tasks first. I’m pretty sure they call that procrastination. 🙂
Tonya@Budget and the Beach recently posted…The Power of a Penny
I absolutely have to remove all distractions. I work my best at my office desk and once I sit down to get work done, I typically put my phone on mute and hide it somewhere so I can’t be distracted by it. Then I only allow myself up for breaks when I have accomplished groups of tasks. The more distractions I have, the less focused I am and the less work I get done.
Shannon @ Financially Blonde recently posted…Music Mondays – 9 to 5
I make lists of what I plan on doing each day, time-block the hours in which I expect to complete each task, and then get those things done. If I have extra time I congratulate myself on productivity, if not I just roll over tasks to the next day.
Taylor Lee recently posted…New Year, New House, New Job, Same Old Me?
You’re one of those super-organized types 🙂 I make a list, sometimes a dynamic list, and then chip away at it. In part, I make a big one to capture everything that I think of, so I don’t forget it later.
My secret is… I eat chocolate. Hahaha! Sounds funny but really effective for me.
How To Save Money recently posted…Saving Money with a Financial Fast
Do you use chocolate to bribe yourself? Or distract yourself? I’m curious!
Anne recently posted…6 Ways to Be More Productive
Both!!
How To Save Money recently posted…Saving Money with a Financial Fast
This has been my problem, hard to find the time to be productive. This advice works for me. I stop waiting for perfect conditions to do work. It is like immediate action fuels a positive feedback loop that drives even more action. And I also wake up early to finish more work and it earlier.
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank recently posted…What to Do When You’ve Had Enough of Work?
Positive feedback loops are soooooo true.
Anne recently posted…6 Ways to Be More Productive