One of the most common questions among professionals, entrepreneurs, and just about anyone else trying to get to or stay at the top of their game is “what can I do to be more productive?” People have always looked for ways to minimize downtime and optimize every minute of their work day so as to make the most progress toward accomplishing their short term and long term goals. There is an indescribable brand of satisfaction that comes from feeling a sense of accomplishment at the end of a given day and the most successful people in any industry or sector are always looking for ways to increase their productivity, or at least they should be. There are several ways that experts suggest and the following are a few of them.
Plan Your Day The Night Prior
This is one of the most fundamental things that productivity junkies swear by to maximize their work day. And it doesn’t have to eat up your entire evening either. Spending fifteen or twenty minutes at some point in the evening jotting down the things you want to accomplish the following day in order of priority can be an absolute game changer in terms of productivity. It solidifies a plan of action in your mind which establishes focus and gives the person a head start on their day.
Cut Down Distractions
This may seem like a no-brainer but it’s surprising how many people who incorporate other measures into their life to increase their productivity actually overlook this one. Plus, it can often be easier said than done since life in this new millennium is overwrought with all manner of distractions, not the least of which is a little thing we call the internet. The key here is good old fashioned self-discipline. When it’s time to work, then the focus should be on work and nothing else. There are going to be employees in every company who love to chit chat and gab about the game over the weekend and the powerboat they’re thinking of buying but temptation to join in on those types of time wasting conversations must be resisted, even if it makes you a social outcast at work.
First to Arrive, Last to Leave
Getting to work early and staying late separates the worker drones from the go-getters and usually is an indication that someone has the stuff of success. Starting your work day before the rest of the world can mean beating traffic and getting a jump on your daily task list. Staying late can also save you from hitting traffic and it allows for a greater level of focus since most or all of your colleagues will have left.
Don’t Stay in the Office for Lunch
It doesn’t seem like it would make that much difference but doing something relatively small like leaving the office during your lunch hour can do wonders for refreshing your mind and recharging your creative and/or analytical batteries. Getting out of your work environment for those 30 to 90 minutes can be a boon to the rest of your work day and put productivity levels where you want them to be.
Maintain Focus on Your Goals
It’s easy to lose sight of the reasons we want to improve our productivity in the first place but keeping your short term and long terms goals firmly planted in the forefront of your mind can help you maintain the proper focus on what you are working to accomplish. That’s why it’s important to write your goals down on paper and keep them handy so that you can reference them throughout the day as a reminder of why you’re doing what you’re doing.
