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We hear the word “productivity” a lot of times. Probably even everyday. But what does it really mean? The Cambridge dictionary defines productivity as “the rate at which a person, company, or country does useful work.” However, it’s important to note that productivity isn’t just about getting more tasks done, it’s overall about achieving meaningful results. Truth is, mastering productivity can definitely transform your life. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to maximize productivity with some useful tips.
First, keep in mind that it’s better to start with actionable strategies and with a calmed mind.
The best way to be productive is being happy with what you’re doing, so humor will impact your performance a lot.
- Set Clear Goals
Define specific goals according to your values and priorities. Make sure to break down large goals into smaller tasks that are easy to manage. This will help you maintain focus and momentum. A really good strategy to ensure your goals are well-defined is to use the SMART criteria. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
- Prioritize Tasks
Once you’ve established your goals, it’s time to identify high-priority tasks that contribute to your goals, so you can start with these tasks. There are different tools to categorize tasks based on their importance and urgency. A very popular example is Eisenhower's Urgent/Important Matrix to categorize tasks based on their urgency. This matrix is easy to use and will help you organize tasks and take action.
- Manage your energy instead of your time
Let’s be real, our energy levels tend to fluctuate a lot throughout the day. If you take some time to reflect on this, you’ll probably realize that you are better at doing certain things at some specific time. What type of energy do you have in the morning? What type of energy do you have at night? Analyzing this may help you define the best time to focus on a certain task.
- Create a routine
Establishing a daily routine can enhance your productivity a lot. To do so, we suggest you focus on your peak hours of energy according to the previous step. Schedule your most challenging tasks for the period where you are more focused and alert.
And finally, make sure to also consider some time for breaks, exercise and relaxation in your routine. Life’s not only about work and responsibilities. And having time for other activities will help you be more relaxed, happy and subsequently, more productive.
Stick to your routine as much as possible to build consistency.
- Avoid Multitasking
Even though multitasking is encouraged in some situations, it is known to create a drop in focus. So, when possible, avoid moving to other tasks before finishing what you’re doing. As this causes something known as “context switching”, where you lose focus. And with every task you start, the focus drops even more. That’s why, we highly recommend sticking to one task at a time until its completion.
- Take regular breaks
Contrary to popular belief, taking breaks can actually boost your productivity because it increases your executive functioning. So, make sure to schedule short breaks throughout your workday to recharge your body and mind. During these breaks, you can go for a walk, stretch, etc. It’s up to you to choose which activity will help you clear your mind.
- Consider delegating
Delegating consists in ensuring the right person handles the job. So don’t be afraid to delegate some tasks if you’re having trouble with what’s on your plate. Besides, delegation is a great ally to focus on what you love and fosters a sense of ownership among the workforce.
We hope these tips help you maximize productivity across the different areas of your life.
Remember that this is a general set of ideas, you might find more affinity with some of them. Thus, you are allowed to choose which steps work best for you or in which order to follow them.
