My Top 4 Tips to Become More Productive
Productivity has been on a lot of people's minds these days especially with so many more of us working from home now due to the pandemic. I hear it time and time again “It's so hard to get my work done when I’m at home and not in the office”. So how do we ensure we are most productive during the day?
Here are my top 4 tips to become more productive throughout the day so you can tackle your to-do list and still have time to binge-watch Netflix in the evening:
Give yourself time limits
Set specific time limits and block your time on time-draining activities. Social Media for example is a rabbit hole of time consumption. You hop on Instagram and suddenly you realize much more time has flown by than you thought. Set a specific time of the day you can hop on and set a timer. Make sure when the timer goes off you exit the app. Boundaries are so important!
Think about your posture to become more productive
Sit or stand with your back straight. When you sit hunched over, your chest is in a collapsed position and your diaphragm is pressing against the bottom of your lungs. It hinders your ability to breathe easily and deeply. When you sit or stand up straight, you’ll find that you can breathe better and take deeper breaths. It not only feels good, but your brain will get more oxygen flowing. You’ll actually be able to concentrate better, feel more awake, and become more productive during the day.
Plan ahead as much as you can and prioritize
Plan your days in advance. On the weekend, meal prep and or plan out your meals for the upcoming week to save you time. It’s way easier to tackle your day-to-day task list and become more productive when you don’t have to worry about little tasks like meals. Pack your children’s lunches the night prior and write out your upcoming day. The key is don’t plan out too many tasks. Sit down and write all the upcoming tasks you need to accomplish, and then narrow them down to the top 3 most important. Plan your day so you can set out specific time blocks for the important tasks that are demanding your time. Prioritize what’s important!
Create and keep clear boundaries between life and work
Have clear boundaries around the “work” and “life” tasks. People who are most productive are able to set clear boundaries and can say no when they have too much on their plates. Becoming more productive is more than just working hard, it’s also knowing when to take breaks and set boundaries. Being able to say no to new tasks when they have enough on their plates is essential. Take time off and know your limits!
Productivity is much more attainable as long as you set priorities and boundaries. Pay attention to things that distract you and ask your family for help. Don’t be too hard on yourself as it may take some time but have faith that if you keep working at it and following the schedules you made, you will get there!
Melanie McConnell is a Professional Organizer and the owner of Mello Spaces. She helps busy professionals and parents get the organized home of their dreams. Check out her website www.mellospaces.com and follow her on Instagram: @mellospaces
Florena Davies is a Professional Organizer and Owner of Organize by Flo. She uses her experience as a wife and mother of 2 to create real life organizational systems and changes for work and home that allow our 2 worlds to co-exist and 'Flo" together. Check out her website at https://www.organizebyflo.com/ and on instagram @organizebyflo.
Marybeth Welty helps women create calm and healthy homes and lives. With over 12 years of experience in organizing, interior design, sustainable building, and mindful living, Marybeth is passionate about improving your mental health, your work, your relationships, and supporting the life of your dreams by starting with where you live, your home. You can book a free meeting with her at https://sustainablelifestylesolutions.com/20-min-free and connect with her on Instagram at @this_sustainable_lifestyle.