Having a productive work day makes time go by faster and allows you to complete more tasks in a given day. Productivity during work hours is not the only time it is needed, and having a lack of productivity can keep you from performing chores or working at home. Being productive can ebb and flow depending on our mood, the time of year, or what is going on in our lives but there are some ways you can hack your productivity during your days.
Wasatch ActionCOACH knows that productivity is important for businesses. When you teach your employees and managers to be productive with these tips and limit overworking them, tasks get completed more efficiently as well.
1- (10+2)*5
This hack may seem overwhelming when your first read it but it is actually really simple. The equation means that you work for 10 minutes, followed by a 2-minute break which you then repeat 5 times to complete a full 60 minutes. This breakdown helps to give your brain a break and time to reset, while also helping to break down the day into smaller chunks.
2- Set A Timetable For Your Tasks
Another great way to keep you on the task at work and schedule out your day is to make a time table, it can look something like this:
9:00 a.m.-9:10 a.m.: Desk set up, check emails, coffee, browser tabs, etc.
9:10 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.: Conduct research
10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m.: Staff meeting
10:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Break
11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Work on next week’s presentation
Doing this helps you set deadlines and gives you a specific amount of time to spend thinking about the task (or procrastinating).
3- Consider A Gadget-Free Desk
It is estimated that adults pick up their phones at least 150 times a day which can limit the amount of time that is spent looking at numbers, completing important tasks, or talking with coworkers about a project.
Mobile phones can interrupt your work with notifications or calls that can create a stressful ambiance and tempt you to put off important tasks.
4- Use Your Commute Productively
Your commute to work often is used to prepare you for your upcoming work day, but you can use it to your advantage to complete certain tasks. Productive tasks don’t have to revolve around your job, in fact, listening to a book, learning a language, or reading the news can help improve your brain function. If you ride public transportation there are more options than if you drive to work.
Your commute can also be a good time to meditate and process your feelings and thoughts before you get into the bustle of the office.
5- Scope The Day The Night Before
Before going to bed, taking 15 minutes to prepare for the next morning can help you start your day on the right foot. Laying out your clothes, prepping your lunch, setting up materials you need to grab, and checking if you need gas or to grab food before heading into the office can help keep you from feeling stressed. These small things may appear to be small and can be completed in the morning, but saving yourself this time can give you peace of mind and give you a productive start to the day.
6- Set A Theme
Dedicating a specific day to marketing, or designing can help you stay on topic. This prevents you from multitasking and jumping from task to task. Some jobs may be hard to create a theme for each day, but setting intentions for the day can help you work on only certain priority tasks.
7- Trust Your Natural Rhythms
Our human bodies can only concentrate on tasks for a short span, and at certain times of the month or day, our body starts to slow down. Working in short bursts, or rewarding yourself with some alone time for completing a task can help improve your productivity.
8- Slow Down
Overworking yourself can limit your productivity and our bodies can not handle extreme work for an extended amount of time. Slowing down can help improve your function and help you perform better. Working too fast or unfocused can cause your work quality to deteriorate which may require you to complete tasks all over again.
9- Make Time For A Nap
A good night’s sleep can help improve your health and brain function, but naps can also do wonders for your productivity. Daily naps can reduce blood pressure and can give your body rest after traveling to and from work.
Short naps can be the most effective way to reset your body and still gives you time to take part in hobbies or other home activities.
10- The Pomodoro Technique
This productivity hack is one of the least mentioned when it comes to improving your quality of work. The Pomodoro Technique calls for breaking up your work into small segments with breaks. This helps keep your creativity ignited and keeps exhaustion at bay. More about the Pomodoro Technique here.
11- Look Toward The Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Sometimes, the workday just gets to be too much, so the best way to make it through the day is to look for the light at the end of the tunnel. Knowing that the day will come to an end and the work week will eventually close can help you push forward knowing that all of this is temporary.
Wasatch ActionCOACHOur coaches want to help improve productivity in your business and keep your employees feeling motivated. Our videos and blogs on productivity and how to improve products can help you hire quality employees and improve time management. Contact us to schedule coaching sessions or join one of our clubs.
