Prevention Magazine suggests that to be a super-efficient person it may help to be up before the sun, make detailed to-do lists, and keep your workspace clean. Their experts outline the seven habits that are practiced by super-efficient individuals.
Organize
To some folks, clutter is a sign of creativity but it also can be associated with laziness. Clutter and disorder interrupt productivity. Functioning in an organized and clean environment improves your focus and ability to get things done. Jason Jennings, a productivity researcher and author, calls this the “habit of touching things once.” As soon as a task is completed, mark it off your list and “get rid of it.”
Prioritize
Giving priority to those things that matter most to you is intentional. If you don’t make time for the important, then the less significant things will swallow up your day. Jennings suggests that once you have created your to-do list, go back and prioritize it. Make sure family and personal time don’t get crowded out by prioritizing them along with everything else.
Follow Trough
When faced with a big job, break it down into smaller doable tasks. Once you get going you will find that the work gets done easily and faster. Not letting a task overwhelm you by its immenseness will reduce stress and procrastination. A professor at Carleton University and author, Tim Pychyl’s motto is, “It’s just a matter of getting things done; I simply put one foot in front of the other.”
Limit Emails
Constant interruptions like emails drain your production. You can use filters to cut back on the notifications, especially anything that contains the word “unsubscribe.” Not everything that hits our inbox is urgent, says Alexandra Samuel, Ph.D., and author. Checking your emails no more than 2-3 times a day is recommended.
Implement Technology
Nowadays, there are apps available to help in many aspects of life-why not take advantage of them? Your phone can be your personal assistant. This allows you to schedule those to-do items that would otherwise be pushed for later or forgotten. Pychyl says that he color coordinates each category (work, personal, or family) on his email calendar. Each designated color allows at-a-glance prioritization.
Practice Healthy Habits
Sleep and exercise are your best resources towards a productive day, says Maura Thomas, author and founder of regainyourtime.com. She suggests taking a power nap, closing your eyes for 10 minutes, and finding time to exercise to be at your optimum. Your health is your number one priority.
Reward Yourself
Are you faced with a challenge or a report that you just don’t care to do? “Set a timer and say I’ll do this for 10 minutes,” suggests Thomas. Just get started and before long the job is done. Remember to reward yourself afterward for following through.
Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/SiraAnamwong
