7 Ways to Boost Productivity
Every day, many of us wake up and swear that today is the day we’re going to be productive. Whether that means going above and beyond at work, working on our business, or just cleaning and renovating the house, we want to be as productive as we allow.
However, we get distracted. We spend too much time on the Internet in an unproductive manner. We promise to spend 10 minutes on distractions, only for an hour to pass. Being productive is harder than it seems, but there are ways you can prepare for a productive day. Here are a few.
Sleep Well
You may think that productive people never sleep, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your brain needs time to re-energize, and by sleeping less, it will kill your productivity. Make sure you sleep well the night before and have good sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene means winding down and practicing rituals that will make you sleepy. Take some time to relax. Take a hot bath. Don’t be too distracted. You’ll be glad you did.
Make a Plan
Most of us have a smartphone that can make plans and schedules, but we don’t utilize it. Spend a few minutes making a schedule of all you want to get done today, and then do it. Try to finish certain tasks within a reasonable time frame.
Take (Reasonable) Breaks
When you think of maximum productivity, you may imagine you working nonstop. However, this will just burn you out and dull your performance. Schedule some time to take a break, but make sure it’s reasonable. Don’t take too many breaks, but don’t take too little. Don’t be on break for too long, but don’t have your break be so fast you can’t rest for a bit. Find the perfect time for you.
Block Distracting Sites Until You’re Done
It’s tempting to see the latest memes and cat videos on Facebook, YouTube, or any other social media site, but don’t do it. You’ll get sucked in. Install add-ons to your browser that can block your social media use. Some apps, such as StayFocusd, give you the option to block the site entirely or give you a certain amount of time to be on the site, which can be good for your breaks.
Check Emails and Messages First
One way to be productive is to warm up by looking at your notifications or emails and responding to them properly. You can also use this as a way to cool down. Just don’t be responding to every email you receive along the way, as this can be a distraction.
Take On Only as Much as You Can Handle
If you can’t get everything you want done in a single day, that’s okay. Beating yourself up over it can make you lose motivation, and that’s never good! Instead, promise to do better the next day.
Go to Therapy
If you’re too stressed or are just unable to be productive, there may be something more afoot. One way you can fix this problem is by going to a counselor. They can help reach your goals and teach you ways to be productive on your own terms. If you have a schedule that makes it hard to attend therapy, online counseling services such as BetterHelp can be an excellent solution.
We all want to be more productive, but only the most successful make that want into a reality. You can do that by following the above and continuing to reach your goals. So don’t procrastinate, don’t promise you’ll do it tomorrow, but instead do it now.
Guest Author: Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
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