Productivity is something that everyone struggles with at some point during their life. It is what determines how much work you get done on a given day, but also the quality of that work and the driving force behind what you are doing.
If you are trying to invent a new product, for instance, but you end up spending all your time working on another project, then this may not actually be productive within the parameters of your target. Instead, this would be seen as a form of procrastination.
Trying to improve your productivity levels isn’t easy. You can only push yourself so hard, so it is important to look at particular details which could be improved upon, which will boost your overall productivity.
An example of this is that regular breaks, target setting, the layout of your workstation (and the tools you have to work with) can all influence how productive you are.
To help you to become more productive, here are five easy steps to follow:
Take regular breaks
It might sound counterproductive to start this series of productivity tips by telling you to take a break, but this is actually one of the most powerful secrets you need to know about.
Growing up, we are taught to keep focused at school and college for hours at a time. Breaks only really come once or twice a day, which effectively sets you up for failure when it comes to productivity.
The human mind can only concentrate on a single task for so long, which is why forcing yourself to focus on work for an hour after hour without a break ultimately leads to failure (especially if you do it day after day).
Instead, set a timer and promise yourself a break after, say, forty minutes. This break should be at least ten minutes, so take yourself away from work and occupy yourself with something else.
What should you do on your break?
If you are trying to think of ideas of how to take a well-deserved break, one great option that you have is to play an online game. Online video poker, like at cafecasino, is a great way to have fun. The great graphics and features have improved over the years and offer you the perfect chance to forget about what you were doing previously and give your mind a break from it as well as your body.
Set manageable daily targets
If you want to be more productive, then you need to know what you are being productive for.
Without manageable daily targets, you will find it difficult to motivate yourself, concentrate properly, or get the right work done before the deadline.
When setting yourself targets, avoid the temptation to burden yourself with sky-high aims. Unless you are already massively productive, this is unrealistic and sets you up for failure.
Instead, create targets that stretch you but are undoubtedly achievable within the time frame of a day. The more tasks you tick off your list, the more productive you will feel and the more productive you will ultimately become.
Make sure your workstation is up to scratch
An often-overlooked element of productive behavior is the environment you are working in.
If your desk is messy, then you will constantly be on the lookout for the right files, notepads, and other necessary items, which will quickly slow your progress.
Perhaps more importantly, however, a messy or disruptive work environment will make you feel unproductive before you have even started, which is hardly going to motivate you to reach your daily goals.
In the same way that the Armed Forces tell soldiers to make their beds and tidy their belongings as soon as they wake up, you should ensure your workstation is looking tidy before you start.
Stick to one task at a time
Being productive is about laser-sharp focus - keeping your attention fixed on a single task or problem until it reaches completion.
This is why skipping between different tasks is rarely a good idea. It will scramble your mind, force you to disrupt your flow, and leave you constantly preparing for different activities.
The result? A huge drop in productivity.
Instead, keep your attention on one task at a time, even if it is proving difficult to finish. Slogging through to the end is always better than giving up and saving the problem for later.
Leverage your time by outsourcing work
Finally, you might find that the most productive approach of all is to have someone else complete the work for you.
While this is nothing more than laziness if you are trying to complete a simple task, it is eminently useful if you have a complex business problem that needs solving and you haven’t the necessary time or skills to complete it to a high level.
This leverage of your time and resources is what makes the top business people successful, so if you are struggling with a task, then the most productive action you could take is to outsource it to an expert.