In everything we do, we always want to see the results of our efforts. This is where we always struggle or fall short of. The consistency of producing results which we can replicate with most of the things we do, is what we really want. I for one struggle in producing consistent results and I only make changes when and where I need to, to compensate or adjust to produce the desired results.
Productivity by definition is the effectiveness of productive effort, especially in the industry, as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input. But, I will not get into the technicalities used in the industry, as I'm not an expert on that field 😅. I'll just be sharing with you my opinions and thoughts about productivity that I myself have learned through my own experiences.
Set daily goals for each day
By setting goals each day, you get to plan out how you are going to start your day and how you are going to end the day. This goes better than going in gung-ho with the tasks that you need to do. If you do, you'll end up wasting your precious time jumping from one task to another without ever completing one at the end of your day.
If you have things to do that would take a half day to a day, better to focus on it than having to insert other tasks in between that you can't complete within a 30 minute time period. The time can change, I just gave you an example, to give perspective. Because inserting other tasks that would take longer than your planned allotted time will also push back your main goal for the day. So, better to stick with what you have set for the day to complete.
Avoid multi-tasking
As much as possible, try to avoid multi-tasking, as it takes you to transition from one task to another longer instead of a steady flow of doing the processes for a single task. If you can't really avoid to be multi-tasking, you need to plan out also what you can do at the same time or in succession, relative to the other tasks that you want to multi-task to. There are things that you need to do in a certain location, why not group all those tasks together and do it one at a time have nce you go to that location. Instead of having to jump from one place to another, with time being wasted on getting to and from that location to another.
Work in short and controlled bursts
Doing the things that you need to do in short and controlled bursts will improve your productivity than having your time allocated to one task but have little to no progress in completing it in a day. There is a need to plan out your activities if you plan to work like this. Meaning everytime you execute a portion of that plan, there is a time frame of completion and then move to the next phase of the plan.
Take regular breaks
When you have finished a task, have a break before you start another task. When you have been working straight for 30 minutes without shying away from your computer's monitor, take a break. Stand up and walk away from your table and stretch out your body. Have your breaks in regular intervals, as not to have your work stress build up in your body. After a two-minute break, get back to your table and work again.
Listen to music that gets you in the zone
There has been studies conducted on the use of music or sounds to improve people's productivity. And I think they have truth to it, as I for one sometimes listed to mellow or RnB music in the background for me to effectively focus on what I need to do. This helps way better when your background has other noise generating distractions that will surely get your productivity down.
Also the music or sounds that can help you may not be focused on what is in the top 30 billboard charts. Let those music be reserved for your off work "me" time.
Manage your Inbox
As for work that is heavily dependent on emails, this one cannot be avoided. You must find a way to manage your inbox. Focus on reading those with the exclamation point emails, those are tagged important. Even if you are not the direct recepient of the email, the point that you were included means you at least need to know the contents of the email. Next is you should learn to skim through your emails with those that are urgent, priority and for your general information only.
Bring it outside
There are times when your work cannot be done on your comfy work area or home, and you need to change your surrounding by taking it outside. It may only be outside your home or the surrounding area of your community, the point here is to have a change of environment that would help you break your monotonous cycle seen by your working eyes.
Look After Yourself
The biggest asset is still yourself. Don't be neglecting your health, both physical and mental. If you do, your productivity will suffers, big time. So take a rest and have a short break or better yet, have a much needed sleep and shut your eyes with no lingering thoughts about what you need to do. Let your brain cells have a rest and your body to recover its strength. Having a good 6-8hours of uninterrupted sleep can make you work for a double shift or you can even burn the midnight oil and have an all-nigher.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
There are a lot of ways to increase or boost your own productivity. The tips I mentioned above may work for me, but not for you or can work for you with just a tweak here and there. As for how to know that you need to change things, that depends on the current situation you're in. The point here is to have a guide that later on can be your system to always have your productivity at a high level with minimal losses of your very precious time.
Thank you for reading up to this point. I hope that it gave you an idea that you can adopt for yourself to improve your own productivity. I would like to hear your thoughts or even your own tips on boosting your own productivity. I may learn from it as well. Remember, continue to learn something new everyday makes our brain boost its productivity too.
Source:
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(#15 Article | October 24, 2021)
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Great!!