5 ways to be more productive!

We’ve all known that person who always seems to be getting things done. Whether a friend or a colleague, this is the person whose work is always done early. The one who somehow manages to finish hour-long tasks in 20 minutes. 

The one people describe as a robot or machine, because surely no simple human could work as quickly as they do. And yet these people exist, cranking away at maximum efficiency. How do they do it? 

Why is it important to stay productive? 

Productivity is important because it helps you save time for yourself. Self-care is important and it can prevent burnout and depression. So, being productive can actually help you get new insights into your work and lifestyle and find creative solutions to the tasks you need to accomplish.

What are the 5 ways to be more productive?

Make room for increased productivity by putting these habits into play:

• Cut your to-do list in half: Getting things done during your workday shouldn’t mean fitting in doing as much as possible in the sanctioned eight hours. Do you really need those 30 tasks on your to-do list? Take a less-is-more approach to your to-do list by only focusing on accomplishing things that matter.

• Take more breaks: The ache in your brain after several long hours of work should be your signal to take a break. Since your brain has used up its glucose, give yourself a moment to refresh by going for a walk, grabbing lunch or a snack, or just meditating. You’ll come back recharged and ready to achieve greater efficiency.

• Stop multitasking: Stop trying to do 10 things at once! Changing tasks more than 10 times a day drops your IQ an average of 10 points. Get things done more effectively and efficiently by focusing on one task at a time.

• Tackle your challenging tasks before lunch: Knock out your most challenging work when your brain is fresh. If you have any busy work or meetings, save them for the afternoon. By scheduling your day this way, you’ll be able to create a new and more productive way to manage your time.

• Follow the 80/20 rule: Only 20 percent of what you do each day produces 80 percent of your results. Eliminate the things that don’t matter during your workday -- they have a minimal effect on your overall productivity. For example, break your next project down into steps and systematically remove tasks until you end up with the 20 percent that gets the 80 percent of results.

The Bottom Line:

Feeling overwhelmed and unproductive at work is a feeling many people experience throughout the day, practising these simple tips will help you eliminate that feeling and get back on the path to productivity.