You can easily sit at your desk for 8 hours straight, but that doesn’t guarantee that you will be productive. Productivity is not really about how long you work for, but rather how much work you get done. You can get the same volume of work completed in 3 hours as you can in 5 if you are focused and determined. Whether you run your own business or you work for an employer, your opportunities for success will be determined by how productive you are. It is not always easy but there are some simple ideas on how to be productive and become a productivity master today!
Top tips on how to be productive
Remove Distractions
This is easier said than done, but it is one of the most important actions to take if you want to be as productive as possible. You may think checking Facebook or sending a quick text doesn’t take long, but it can easily take your concentration away from the task in hand and can cause a dip in productivity levels.
It is a good idea to keep your phone off, or at least hidden from view and to refrain from checking it or your social media pages until after lunch or when you get home in the evening. A couple of seconds can easily spiral into half an hour and this can have consequences for how productive you will be. Most communication can wait, so don’t be tempted into getting into long, drawn out conversations.
The fewer distractions you have, the more productive you will be. Don’t be afraid to refuse to attend meetings that you don’t believe will hold any value, as these can just take up a lot of unnecessary time.
Set Deadlines
At the start of the day, it is important to write a to-do list and also set yourself some deadlines for when you want to complete work. For instance, if you are writing a report and know you can complete it within two hours, make sure you put your head down for those two hours and don’t go over the deadline.
You will feel better if you complete your list of tasks for the day and will learn how to be productive by setting your own deadlines.
Regular Breaks
It may seem that sitting down at your desk for 8 hours solid is the best advice on how to be productive, but it is not physically or mentally possible to stay focused for this period of time. It is much more productive and better for your health if you take regular breaks from your desk and particularly if you can get outside for some fresh air.
If you aim to take breaks every couple of hours, even for just 15 minutes, you will find that you may get a new lease of life when you return to your desk. It is important to remember that we are not robots and we need regular exercise to stay motivated.
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