Fifteen Ways to Improve Productivity

Today, we're diving into the world of productivity. Do you know what Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos have in common? The same 24 hours a day that you have! You can either waste or use that time to invest in your dreams. What really makes the difference is what you do with that time and how you choose to spend it. Let us show you how you can make the most of your day with these fifteen ways to improve your productivity.

1. Write It Down 📝

To-do lists are mandatory for increasing productivity. They get you organized, allow you to see where your focus should go every day, and give you a sense of accomplishment when you take an item off the list. Create a to-do list each night for the upcoming day in order to have a clear image of what needs to be done. This way, you won't spend time in the morning trying to decide what task needs to be done first.

2. Cut Down Your To-Do List ✂️

When writing a to-do list, you'll be tempted to add a lot of items that are not necessarily important. That's why you should take another look at it. A very long to-do list will make you either anxious in the morning or frustrated in the evening when very few things are checked off. Here's what you can do:

• Choose one to a maximum of three time-consuming tasks to get done by the next day
• Choose three to five less time-consuming tasks
• Save an hour a day for small tasks such as reading emails or returning phone calls

3. Stop Multitasking 🚫

Sometimes, it feels like being able to multitask is a must-have skill for success. However, multitasking is actually a productivity killer. It results in a decrease of up to 40% of your productivity and can even lower your IQ. So, focus on one task at a time and give it 100%.

4. Minimize Distractions 📵

To focus on one task at a time, minimize distractions. You don't need to answer all of your emails or phone calls right away unless that's your job. Turn off notifications, stop checking social media every 20 minutes, and put your phone on Do Not Disturb mode while working. You'll be amazed at how much work you can get done when you're fully focused. Let your friends, family, and colleagues know about this and ask them not to disrupt you until you've finished your task.

5. Organize Your Working Space 🗂️

When everything is in place and your work desk is organized, it's much easier to focus on the task at hand instead of feeling the urge to arrange everything. Lots of people invest time and money in their workspace, buying expensive desks, fast computers, high-quality pens, and more. One of the most expensive and luxurious working stations at the moment is the Emperor Workspace. It comes with optimized working gear, including a comfortable seat, a desk, space for monitors, and other features. The price ranges from $5,300 to $12,000.

6. Track and Limit Time Spent on Tasks ⏱️

To optimize the time spent on tasks, it's crucial to track and evaluate your work. Do you spend too much time reading similar articles when doing research? Or maybe you go on Facebook every 15 minutes when taking a break and end up spending a whole half-hour scrolling through your newsfeed. You can't know how to improve unless you keep an eye on it.

7. Embrace Technology 💻

Don't be afraid to use every app and add-on necessary to get your productivity score higher. Track the amount of time spent on each task, create schedules, set up reminders, and work-related notifications. Instead of writing a to-do list on a piece of paper that can easily be misplaced, put it on your phone or desktop. Make sure all these resources are at your fingertips.

8. Set SMART Goals 🏆

The SMART acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. When setting up a goal, you have to define it specifically, set a way to measure the progress, ensure it's realistic and attainable, and set a deadline so it doesn’t become an endless task.

9. Choose Your Friends Wisely 👥

Surround yourself with people who have the same mindset and ambitions as you. Try working beside them. This way, you can motivate each other, brainstorm ideas, and discuss relevant topics that will enrich your knowledge and make you strive harder. It's an important step to follow, so make it your purpose to find people that inspire you to work hard and join them.

10. Learn by Yourself 📚

There's a principle called the compound effect that says no matter how small the effort you make is, if you do it consistently, it adds up. Before you know it, you’ve mastered a new skill. By taking one hour per day for independent study, you could become an expert on a topic of your choice in three to five years. Not sure where to start? Pick up a book and start reading. We've gathered a collection of 15 business books everyone should read. Don't think one hour per day is doable? Consider all the time you waste while commuting. Use that time to read, or listen to an audiobook or podcast. Trust us, it will be worth it.

11. Develop the Habit of Saying No 🚫

You can't be a yes man or woman, pleasing everyone else's needs and still finishing your projects on time. Get used to saying no to colleagues asking for help because they interfere with your working habits and kill productivity. That doesn’t mean you should never help anyone, but make sure you do it after you've finished your own tasks. Whenever someone asks for a favor you don’t have time for, politely refuse or schedule it for a time when you're less busy.

12. Be Proactive, Not Reactive 📅

This one sums up almost everything we’ve covered. Don’t let incoming emails or phone calls dictate your day. Instead, create a plan ahead and try sticking to it. Get involved in your schedule; don’t let others do it for you.

13. Avoid Endless Meetings 🚪

Meetings are the black hole of productivity. They take up a lot of time and often don't lead to any conclusions. Avoid meetings that aren't mandatory at all costs, or propose a different way to handle them. Maybe set up a messaging group where everyone can answer when they're less busy. Remember, Bill Gates had 3-minute meetings. If the situation couldn't be addressed in that time frame, it was left aside. He was the richest man in the world for two decades, so he was certainly onto something.

14. Focus on Result-Oriented Activities 📊

Many activities we do throughout the day are not urgent and don't usually have a visible impact on our lives. The Pareto Principle states that 80% of our results come from 20% of our actions. Your job is to find those 20% activities that bring the 80% results and focus on them.

15. Take Care of Yourself 🧘

Productivity isn’t just about scheduling and sticking to a plan. To be efficient, you must invest in all aspects of your life. Go to the gym, eat healthy, and get enough sleep. This will make you feel energized and motivated to work towards your goals. Being productive means living a balanced life, taking regular breaks from work, and maintaining your health and happiness. Nothing beats a positive attitude that comes from living life in harmony.

Bonus: Meditation 🧘‍♂️

Yes, meditation! Standing still for a couple of minutes a day, focusing on your breath, and not thinking about anything can increase your concentration skills and make you more relaxed and confident. Studies show that practicing meditation for as little as five minutes a day for two weeks will raise your productivity levels and help you surpass work-related stress. Give it a try and let us know how it goes! For a better experience visit our official blog portal

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