If you have been in the business world for any length of time, you have heard the phrase, “work smarter, not harder.” It is an idea that is considered the key to maximum productivity. Many people have trouble putting it into practice and struggle to get the most out of their workdays. In fact, the key to achieving your daily production goals is actually pretty simple. It can be summed up in another famous quote, “It's not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours.” It is possible to boost your productivity just by forming 6 new work habits.
Every night make a to-do list of the next day’s tasks and the time you plan to do them. A list helps keep you focused. It’s a tool used by some of the most powerful executives in the world. For instance, every evening former American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault writes down three things he plans to do the next day. Planning gives you a head start the morning. It is important that you limit your list to just two or three items because a long list can make you feel overwhelmed. Another professional planning technique you can use is setting hard edges for your work day. Decide what time you will begin and end work and stick with those times. If you pick times to accomplish specific tasks, stick to those as well.
You need to get a full night’s sleep to maintain peak performance. The common practice of working late and rising early is actually counter-productive. A recent Harvard study revealed that sleep deprivation costs U.S. businesses $63 billion a year. It’s also important to take regular breaks as you work. That might seem counter intuitive, but short breaks increase creativity and concentration. You can also use energy management to reach high performance levels. Since energy levels fluctuate during the day, you should attempt mentally challenging tasks during your high energy times. During low energy periods you can do easier jobs like answering emails.
Scientific studies show that clutter limits your brain’s ability to process information. Messy workspaces create frustration and reduce efficiency. You can solve the problem by eliminating anything that is unnecessary. Create a place for everything you need and return items to their place when you are finished with them. Clean your desk every night so you begin each workday with an organized workspace.
Some of the most successful people in the world use the “eat the frog” method to organize daily tasks. The idea is based on Mark Twain’s quote, “eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day." Your frog will be the most important task on your list and the one you are most likely to avoid. Get in the habit of tackling the toughest job first thing in the morning. If you have more than one critical task, experts advise you to, “eat the ugliest frog first.” Start with the most challenging task and don’t stop until it is done.
Unlearn the habit of multitasking. Scientific research shows that multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40%. Switching between jobs limits focus and creates mental fatigue. For maximum productivity, focus your attention on one task at a time. Many high-powered professionals break work into one hour chunks. Some batch jobs on certain days to avoid jumping from task to task. Apps like RescueTime and Timebar can help you keep track of time. It’s also important to assess your priorities throughout the day so you don’t over commit. Over committing can quickly lead to burn out.
Ironically, technology that allows you to do business efficiently can also cut deeply into your productivity. Phone calls, text messages, and social media notifications can steal hours from your week. Email is one of the most common distractions. A report released by the McKinsey Global Institute shows a typical worker spends 28% of their work week managing emails. Unfortunately, even short distractions take a toll on productivity. On average it takes you 25 minutes to refocus on a task after an interruption. It is critical that you turn off notifications on your devices and limit the number of times you check voicemail and email. Some productivity experts suggest wearing earphones, even if you are not listening to anything. Avoiding distractions is critical if you want to get in the flow and stay there all day.
The key to maximum productivity is getting the most out of every available hour. High achievers do that by planning their workdays, getting plenty of restorative sleep and staying organized. They get the hardest jobs done first and avoid multitasking. Successful people also stay in the flow by eliminating distractions.
Distractions – they are everywhere and they rob you of focus, concentration, and diligence. How often have you found yourself gazing out the window when you have piles of work to do? Do you find it difficult not to check your cellphone while taking care of errands around the house?
Staying on task seems to be a difficulty for most people. Living a productive life does not have to be a pipe dream. From the moment your feet hit the floor in the morning, you can be productive. I am here to enlighten you with some expert tips I have developed over the years. You see, I too was a procrastinator and I have fought long and hard to make drastic improvements.
The reason most people are unproductive is likely not what you think. Laziness is not a problem with most people. No, it is not drive either. The real reason people procrastinate is fear. Yes, you read that correctly.
When people find themselves faced with a challenge that stretches their abilities, fear begins to set in and they begin thinking of every excuse they can. If you have ever been given a big project at work, you likely know this to be correct.
A lack of productivity also means a lack of discipline. Being unable to fully commit to completing a task at home or work can kill your accomplishments. The key to improving your home and workflow is to work smarter, not harder.
There are a few tips that can help you overcome your procrastination and increase your productivity like never before.
1. One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to multitask. We have all been programmed to believe multitasking is possible, but this is not entirely true. The human brain is not wired to multitask and doing so can destroy your productivity. Believe it or not, research has revealed multitasking can reduce your productivity by as much as 40%
2. Many people might think it counterproductive, but taking scheduled breaks can greatly increase productivity. Short breaks help to enhance concentration and will assist you in staying on task until you finish your work. If you choose to keep working for long stretches, you will experience stress, poor concentration levels, and problems with memory.
3. Complete short tasks right away. If you can complete a task in a couple of minutes, there is no reason to put it off. Make your bed, sign those papers, send that quick text. Clean the sink. There are so many tasks you can complete in mere minutes. Getting these out of the way will increase productivity because you are making accomplishments.
4. Organization is crucial for amping up productivity. If your tools are in various locations, the job is going to be more time-consuming. Whether you are cleaning or preparing a business proposal, organization is key. Clean your desk and make sure you have all the tools for the job. These two steps alone create amazing results.
5. To-do lists might seem old-fashioned, but they can have a deep impact on your psyche. Being able to visually see crossed out accomplishments helps you to feel encouraged because goals are being met. A list made at the beginning of the day will help keep you on course.
6. As mentioned above, distractions are everywhere. One of the biggest distractions people face today is digital. Did you know people spend about ¼ of their workday browsing social media sites and checking their phones? It is wise to set limits on usage. Turn off notifications and put the phone out of sight until you are breaking or finished with work.
The above tips can make a huge difference in the way you approach tasks and complete them. If you take a concerted effort and approach tasks with full focus, positive results result.
Copyright © 1997 - 2025 | by SUCCESS CLINIC INTERNATIONAL, LLC - Noah St. John |Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Earnings Disclaimer